3 Raptors who have made massive improvements in 2021-22

1. PG Fred VanVleet

There’s “improvement”, and then there’s what VanVleet has done this season. The Raptors and their fans expected him to take a step in the right direction, but the leap he’s made in 2021-22 has put him in a position where he has become almost an inarguable All-Star.

VanVleet’s 21.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game are all the best marks for his career. The Raptors are a net negative when VanVleet leaves the court, yet they are blowing opponents out when he returns. The only player in the league with a better individual net rating than him is reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.

Fred VanVleet has been an All-Star for the Toronto Raptors.

VanVleet needed to step up without Kyle Lowry, and he’s done that by putting up a points per game average that Lowry only reached twice in his career. With Toronto back at .500, it looks like VanVleet has already assumed complete control of the offense and this locker room.

VanVleet was scoring last year, but his efficiency averages took some of the shine off that year. Making 40% of his 3-pointers on nine attempts per game while beefing up his interior finishing, it looks like VanVleet has corrected his flaws. The sky is the limit for VanVleet and this team if he continues to refine these traits.