Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Toronto Raptors season report cards: Grades for each Individual

By Jordan Skuse

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors speaks to the media after Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Wizards during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors speaks to the media after Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Wizards during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 17
Next
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 9: Fred VanVleet
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 9: Fred VanVleet /

Fred VanVleet

In a season filled with great moments, the rise of Fred VanVleet might be at the top of the list. He earned himself a lot of money with his play this year, not to mention the love and adoration of a city, and country.

Mr. Bet on Yourself, a.k.a the man the draft left behind, was Toronto’s most valuable second-unit player – playing his way into a Sixth Man of the Year nomination.

If there’s one criticism to toss at VanVleet, it’s his suspect finishing around the rim. His field goal percentage on driving layups could be higher.

Other than cleaning up his inside finishing, there’s little to complain about how Fred grew as a player in 2017-18. He was one of the team’s most reliable three-point shooters, along with being the driver of second-unit offense – remember how lost the Bench Mob looked against Washington? Like a bunch of useless Bond villains, only they were the henchman clowns who can’t shoot.

There’s a confidence, bordering on arrogance to VanVleet’s game, and while it may rub some the wrong way it’s a mindset that great players share. VanVleet has the added motivation of being a draft night afterthought. He plays with a CN Tower sized chip on his shoulder, and frankly speaking, more of Toronto’s players need to adopt VanVleet’s mindset. He works for everything and expects nothing to be handed to him. And he’s not afraid of anything – not even the big bad king…

A restricted free agent this off-season, expect Toronto to bring him back at any cost. He’s too valuable to what they’re trying to build to risk losing him.

GRADE: A (C+ in the playoffs)

Home/Raptors News