3 stats that prove Raptors leader Fred VanVleet is an All-Star

2. Win Shares.

VanVleet has developed a knack for making winning plays and coming through in the clutch on both ends of the floor. Considering where he stands in the latest win shares rankings, it’s clear that VanVleet is playing a major part in Toronto’s success this season.

VanVleet ranks 35th in the league in win shares at 2.6 in total. That may not sound like a jaw-dropping number, but when you consider that players like Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant, and even Kyle Lowry rank beneath him, it encapsulates the idea that VanVleet is helping this scrappy Raptors team pick up wins.

Toronto Raptors star Fred VanVleet contributes to a winning environment.

If you want to just look at offensive win shares, VanVleet’s 1.6 puts him in the Top 30. James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard, and Deandre Ayton are all players that currently rank below VanVleet. If he’s producing at a clip that puts him in that tier, he must be doing something right.

While the Raptors might not be a postseason lock at the moment, the idea that VanVleet is just racking up meaningless points on a tanking team doesn’t hold up. If the Raptors can make themselves a firm playoff contender, it will be even harder to keep VanVleet away from Cleveland.