If the Toronto Raptors are going to send anyone to the All-Star game this year, Fred VanVleet may be the most likely candidate. With Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby both missing some serious game time due to injuries, VanVleet has helped keep this Raptors attack firing on all cylinders.
VanVleet was tasked with the gargantuan undertaking of replacing Kyle Lowry following his move to the Miami Heat. Not only has VanVleet been able to keep a young, inexperienced team fighting for a playoff spot, but he’s done so while playing the best basketball of his career.
The Raptors may find it difficult to get one of their stars to Cleveland for the 2022 All-Star game. Not only will they have to overcome an average record, but their best option for the game in VanVleet will need to beat out dozens of qualified guards in the suddenly deep Eastern Conference.
Not only has VanVleet been the engine that has driven this Raptors team, but he’s done so while putting up some numbers that look like misprints. These stats show that VanVleet is having his best season ever and deserves All-Star consideration.
Toronto Raptors: These 3 stats show Fred VanVleet must be an All-Star.
3. Scoring and Efficiency.
VanVleet did a ton of good things last season, but he wasn’t the most effective finisher at times. His field goal percentage both inside and behind the arc plummeted. Luckily, VanVleet looks much more confident on that end of the floor this year, as proven by his improved stats in this area.
VanVleet’s 19.8 points per game are a slight improvement over last year’s average. His field goal percentage is up from 39% last year to 44% in 2021-22. His 3-point percentage leaped from 36% to 39%. VanVleet is not only the primary creator for the Raptors, but he’s amassing the best statistical numbers he’s ever put up.
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet has improved as a scorer.
VanVleet’s assists and steals numbers are right on par with what he was doing over the last few seasons, and his rebounds per game average of 5.0 is also a career-best for him. VanVleet is doing this while leading the league in minutes per game and shouldering a major workload on both ends.
With some fans simply scouting box scores when voting for the All-Star team, VanVleet has often gotten the short end of the stick. Now that he’s continuing his improvement by putting together the best statistical year of his career, that should wake up legions of casual fans and get him a few more votes.
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.
1. On-Off Numbers.
Many Raptors leads have evaporated as soon as VanVleet leaves the floor for a second. Without his ability to get stops due to his feisty defense or his clutch shot-making late, Toronto’s numbers have gone down the drain when he isn’t on the floor. No one can question his importance to the team after how this season has started.
Per Cleaning the Glass (subscription required), VanVleet makes the Raptors 22.3 points better per 100 possessions when he is on the floor, which puts him in the 97th percentile across the league. Toronto scores 5.6 more points per 100 with him on the floor, and the 16.7 fewer points per 100 allowed on defense put VanVleet in the 99th percentile.
The Toronto Raptors are much worse when Fred VanVleet is on the bench.
The Raptors have been besieged by a lack of depth this season, leading VanVleet to often clean up the mess made by some of the younger players on this roster. The main reason this roster has not crumbled into dust has been VanVleet providing stability as a pesky defender and quality scorer.
While leading the league in minutes is a bit concerning due to the fact Nurse is asking VanVleet to shoulder a titanic burden on both ends, it’s necessary to help Toronto keep their heads above water. VanVleet’s Herculean effort in that regard should be enough to win over some voters.