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NBA Power Rankings: Where is Fred VanVleet among point guards?

ByAvishai Sol|
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 09: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the Canadian national anthem ahead of their NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Scotiabank Arena on January 9, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 09: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the Canadian national anthem ahead of their NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Scotiabank Arena on January 9, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
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Dec 23, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) reacts during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) reacts during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

For a position teaming with flashy youngsters and offensive dynamos, it’s Jrue Holiday’s steady hand and world-class defense that earns him the 8th spot on this list. Arguably the second fiddle on a team that won it all last year, Holiday has been quietly averaging 18 points, seven assists, and five rebounds a game this season.

We’ve heard the superlatives about his defense before. Calling him anything less than the top defensive guard on the planet seems unfair, but let’s not forget his contributions to the offensive end as well.

Being able to run the offense himself or hand the ball off and play a complementary role for either Giannis or Khris Middleton, Holiday has fit in so seamlessly with the Bucks it’s almost funny to remember he was wearing a Pelicans uniform two seasons ago

It’s that ability to adapt to the needs of a great team that is what sets Jrue apart and ahead of the perhaps more talented names below him on this list. He could never pull off some of the plays Ball does, and he has never been able to will his team to success as the top dog, but he has proven himself able to play a vital role on a championship roster.

NBA Power Rankings: Fred VanVleet is the leader of the Raptors

Here he is.

The timing has been perfect for VanVleet’s All-Star campaign. Since December 14, Fred VanVleet has been averaging around 28 points, 7.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, all while shooting 44% from both the field and from three.

And yet, it still boils down to the wins. In that time, the Raptors have moved from the 12th seed in the East to a play-in spot.

This stretch of dominance from VanVleet was encapsulated on a sleepy Friday night against a COVID-crippled Jazz team. A half-interested Raptors slipped to an early 12-point deficit and had kept snoozing deep into the third quarter.

That’s when VanVleet took over the game on both ends, piling up multiple steals while scoring 20 points in four minutes to spark the Raptors to a runaway win.

Fred VanVleet is the best player on a playoff team. He’s leading the league in minutes per game, he’s top 20 in the league in both points, assists, and steals per game, and he’s doing all of this at 6-0 even.