Fred VanVleet and Toronto Raptors almost managed to overcome a historically bad 2-30 start to the game and take down the Milwaukee Bucks thanks to a 16-point run in just under 90 seconds. Even with that comeback, Toronto lost in overtime 104-101.
VanVleet had one of the finest games of his season, recording 28 points, eight rebounds, and 12 of the team’s 23 assists. On a night when Toronto made just nine 3-pointers, four of them were due to VanVleet. However, this night wasn’t ideal for the struggling point guard or the team as a whole.
VanVleet was 8-23 from the field and 4-14 from 3-point range. His efficiency, combined with the fact that he wandered away from Grayson Allen before his game-winning shot and bricked a horrendous deep 3-pointer on the game’s final possession, renewed the spite some Raptors fans have towards him.
VanVleet chose to address the efficiency questions head-on. He is well aware of the fact that his shooting percentages are below average in pretty much every category. However, he isn’t going to stop shooting anytime soon, implying that playing with confidence and trying to make winning plays is more important than efficiency.
With his poor shooting being the talk of the town amongst a large contingent of Raptors fans, hearing this dismissive attitude to his shooting struggles might not please everyone.
I asked Fred VanVleet about his shot selection, and finding the balance on a team that isn't a good shooting team. Here's what he said. pic.twitter.com/kSEPvWx0aq
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) January 5, 2023
Toronto Raptors PG Fred VanVleet favors wins over efficiency.
VanVleet has averaged 19.7 points per game over the last three years, but he’s done so while shooting 39% from the field. While the old adage of letting shooters shoot to break out of a slump may apply in certain situations, VanVleet might take it too far sometimes.
The Raptors waited until the fourth quarter to let Scottie Barnes attempt to make an offensive impact, and he rewarded them with 19 points in the final stanza and overtime. Before that, the team was isolation-heavy and content to let FVV chuck up as many triples as possible.
Some would argue that VanVleet needs to shoot as much as he does to balance out a roster lacking in shooters, but this doesn’t necessarily hold up under greater scrutiny. VanVleet shoots so much that the offense becomes a collection of 30-foot heaves. You can’t be a primary offensive option and shoot 37% from the field.
“It was just one of those things that energy and the mojo and just the air in the building was just weird” — Fred VanVleet on the Raptors starting 2/23 in 1Q. pic.twitter.com/BCuI67Y1el
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) January 5, 2023
VanVleet has become a hot name in the trade market, as the confluence of his declining play and Toronto’s apparent need to reboot the roster could lead to a deal that shakes up the franchise. While he is clearly an emotional leader for the team, his shot selection often leaves much to be desired.