The Toronto Raptors could have just laid down and died against the Washington Wizards, as Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet were out for the 11th-place club, but they ended up taking down Russell Westbrook’s squad thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by new addition Gary Trent Jr. in easily one of the high points of this challenging season.
While VanVleet, who is averaging 19.8 points per game this season after signing a huge four-year contract in the offseason, sat out this game after sustaining a hip flexor injury during their annihilation of the Golden State Warriors. That doesn’t mean that VanVleet didn’t have an impact on the game.
VanVleet was an unofficial assistant coach for the Raptors last night, constantly clapping to encourage the rest of the squad and doing his best to motivate. It was VanVleet who was the first to congratulate Trent after his game-winning shot, showing the fact he is already forming a bond with his new teammate.
Nick Nurse really liked what he saw and heard out of VanVleet during this game, claiming that No. 23 was a vocal presence during timeouts and a “real positive influence” for the team.
Nick Nurse on assistant coach Fred VanVleet: "He was great, really he was. He was really positive, motivating the guys. Really good. I thought his voice in timeouts and when guys were coming off the floor was a real positive influence. That was nice to see."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 6, 2021
Fred VanVleet’s positivity had an impact on the Toronto Raptors
Not only was Trent one of the focal points of the offense, but DeAndre’ Bembry was forced into the starting lineup and rookie Malachi Flynn played a career-high in minutes. Bembry has some very nice finished near the rim, while Flynn had by far his best game as a pro, making plays on both ends of the court.
VanVleet rose from an undrafted free agent out of Wichita State to one of the best guards in the game, all the while becoming an integral part of a team that ended Toronto’s championship drought. You don’t accomplish that without having a masterful ability to motivate both yourself and others, and that talent was on display against the Wizards.
Who knows? Maybe when VanVleet’s NBA career comes to an end, there will be a spot with his name on it as an assistant coach in Toronto? He’s certainly got the emotional part of being a coach down pat.
Even when VanVleet is sitting this game out due to an injury, the positivity that he radiates can be felt all over this team. When he gets back on the court, alongside a bunch that has found some confidence, the Raptors might be able to make a little run here.