The Toronto Raptors might have an All-Star on their hands, as star guard Fred VanVleet has filled in for Kyle Lowry on both ends of the floor by showing off his blend of efficiency, tenacity, and clutch scoring. He should be on track for an appearance in Cleveland as a backup.
VanVleet will need to overcome some laughable, borderline embarrassing fan vote results, as names like Derrick Rose and Kyrie Irving were leagues ahead of him in the first wave of returns based purely on their history and name recognition. VanVleet’s numbers prove he should get ASG consideration.
VanVleet is averaging 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game in what has quickly become the best season of his young career. VanVleet has become one of the best offensive players this game has to offer in the backcourt. His contemporaries numbers’ simply don’t match up.
VanVleet might not be as popular in the eyes of the fans voting for the All-Star Game, but his numbers are right up there with anyone in the Eastern Conference. These 3 guards are outpacing him in votes, but VanVleet has been a much better player this season.
3. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Garland has played a major role in Cleveland’s rejuvenation. While Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are getting the credit in the frontcourt, Garland has been the top perimeter scorer after Collin Sexton was lost due to injury. Even with those impressive stats, VanVleet trumps him in this comparison.
Garland’s 19.6 points per game are far less than VanVleet’s 22.0, and his 7.2 assists per game are not distant enough from VanVleet’s 6.7 per contest to really merit a ton of praise. With similar records, the excuse of Garland being on a winning team should also apply to Fred in this context.
Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet is scoring more than Darius Garland.
While Garland has made strides on the defensive end, even the staunched Cavaliers fan would concede that VanVleet is the better on-ball defender at this moment in time. If Garland gets more votes than VanVleet, fans are blatantly overlooking his defensive contributions.
This is not to minimize Garland’s accomplishments this season. He looks more aggressive and in control of the game than he did at Vanderbilt, and that has directly correlated to Cleveland’s success. However, when compared to VanVleet, the numbers favor the Wichita State product.
2. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Herro should be considered the favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year, as he is good for an automatic 20 points per night for one of the best teams in the East. However, VanVleet should get more All-Star hype because of the way he impacts the game in more areas than just scoring.
Rebounds? VanVleet has the edge. Assists? Fred is on top there as well. The two aren’t even in the same stratosphere defensively. At least Herro is outperforming VanVleet on offense, right? Wrong!
Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet is outperforming Tyler Herro everywhere.
Herro is averaging 20.6 points per game on 43% shooting and 39% from deep. Not only is VanVleet putting up 22 a night, but he’s doing so while making 44% of his shots and 41% of his 3-pointers with a high volume. The undrafted 6-0 point guard is shooting better than the lottery pick and top recruit.
Herro does have the advantage of being one of the key cogs on a Heat team that is every bit as deserving a contender as a team like the Nets or Bucks. While that may get him some extra votes, VanVleet should be in the game over him if both players are fighting for one vacant spot.
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.