Is starting Fred VanVleet the right choice for the Toronto Raptors?

Why VanVleet should start

The argument for VanVleet remaining as a starter for the Toronto Raptors isn’t convoluted or in any way twisted, in fact, it’s very simple.

VanVleet should start because playing your best players alongside each other for large periods of time is, generally, a pretty good thing. Really, it is that simple. If the Toronto Raptors want to be successful this season, they’re going need to have depth, for sure, as are most teams, but the starters are going to have to win their minutes too.

Having your best players on the court, combating against the opponent’s best lineup, is the cut-and-dry clearest way of winning those minutes. That means that the Raptors most continue to start Fred VanVleet.

Outside of Kyle Lowry, he’s the team’s best ball-handler, and is probably the sweetest shooter on the team too, as well as being a dogged defender on the perimeter. While the backcourt of Lowry and VanVleet is a little undersized, they are both solid rebounders for their height and have shown the ability to hang with taller players in the post.

If it’s a toss up between VanVleet or Powell starting, then you have to take Fred VanVleet. The starters see more time together than any lineup that you put out, and the starting lineup is better when VanVleet is a part of it.

He looks more than prepared for a larger role on this Raptors team, and his usage percentage stands at 20.6-percent, but will only likely rise during the rest of the season. The Finals gave us enough evidence, VanVleet can shine on the brightest stage.

It might hurt the bench moving forward, but Nick Nurse is no longer prepared to hold VanVleet back. He deserves to start for the Toronto Raptors.