3 All-Star candidates Raptors’ Fred VanVleet is outperforming

1. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

While VanVleet and Ball are having comparable statistical seasons for a pair of teams in the play-hunt, LaMelo rode his brand recognition and penchant for making Twitter explode with highlight-reel plays to four times the vote total that Fred received. That wide gap has no justification when you look at the pair’s stats.

Ball is outpacing VanVleet in rebounds and assists while remaining behind him in points per game. The teams have nearly identical records, with Toronto a half-game ahead of Charlotte in the standings. The on-off stats might be what helps VanVleet take home the win in this comparison.

Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet compares favorably to LaMelo Ball.

The Raptors are an absurd 18.4 points per 100 possessions better when VanVleet is on the floor, good for the 98th percentile across the league. They are scoring 8.6 points more and allowing 9.8 points fewer per 100 possessions when VanVleet is on the floor.

The Hornets are only 3.0 points per 100 possessions when Ball is on the floor.

LaMelo and VanVleet is the debate most worth having, as they are two standout guards having insanely good seasons for a play-in team. However, with the advanced stats to back him up, it’s Fred who barely edges out a standout guard like Ball in this head-to-head matchup.