Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet steps up in a big way

Toronto Raptors - Fred VanVleet (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors - Fred VanVleet (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Every Thursday we bring you the Toronto Raptors Player of the Week. This week’s award goes to Fred VanVleet, who has been impressive the past four games.

Although turbulent, this week was a good one for the Toronto Raptors. After having been dealt back-to-back losses at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks the Raptors were able to rebound in a big way.

Not only did they bounce back, after almost losing the top spot, but the ‘bench mob’ staple Fred VanVleet found his game and helped carry a load that the team’s superstars normally would.

Fred VanVleet’s week

With both Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry being injury plagued this week, the Raptors really needed the support players to step up. FVV kept himself calm and collected and battled his way to the starting line-up twice this week.

After an all-around disappointing game against the Nets, FVV found himself playing 27 minutes and while also being the lone bright spot off the bench versus the Bucks. Impressively, he also found his shot as he was able to score 19 points against a defensively solid Bucks squad. FVV was also the only + on the bench as they collectively allowed the Bucks to take and hold the lead.

FVV’s brightest moment this week came against the Clippers. After being inserted into the starting line-up he provided a much-needed spark. It seems the key to busting Lowry out of his slump was simply by pairing him with FVV.

Being able to utilize the two point guards proved efficient as FVV dished the ball out left and right and Lowry finally looked comfortable shooting the basketball. FVV finished with a career-high 14 assists on the night even if he didn’t score much.

Equally impressive were the hard-fought minutes against the Golden State Warriors as FVV was matched up against the best shooting backcourt duo ever (Klay Thompson and Steph Curry) helping hold them to a collective 24 points on 10 of 29 shooting.

Missed the cut

Unsurprisingly a great second choice for player of the week was Serge Ibaka. It can’t be understated how important Ibaka playing well is to the Raptors. He is one of the major keys to success if the Raptors are aiming to go the distance during the playoffs. I would also like to give a nod to Lowry’s ‘second half’ of the week as he finally stepped up and hit shots while squaring off with two of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Fred has been in a slump that seems to have lasted the entire season thus far, this week proved a few things, starting with the obvious fact that as a collective team there’s still room to improve, even if you have the best record in the NBA, and, that Fred VanVleet is BACK.

Make sure to check out the Raptors Player of the Week every Thursday on RaptorsRapture.com