While former Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet will be warmly received as a member of the lone championship-winning team in franchise history, his exit from Canada wasn't very rosy. At times, it seemed like his style of play was getting in the way of developing some of the younger offensive talents on the roster.
Even though VanVleet's Houston Rockets are off to an 8-3 start on the season, there are some concerning offensive stats that suggest a regression could be coming. Specifically, Amen Thompson has regressed from last year, and Kevin Durant is taking fewer shots than ever before.
Thompson's 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game have fallen to 14.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game while his efficiency has dipped under 50% from the field. Durant, meanwhile, is shooting just 12.8 shots per game, only slightly above Thompson (11.5), Jabari Smith Jr. (11.9), and VanVleet himself (10.9). Sound familiar, Raptors fans?
Toronto Raptors fans remember Fred VanVleet stalling offensive development
VanVleet missed all of last season with a torn ACL, which is already concerning for a smaller point guard on the wrong side of 30 who never had tremendous leaping athleticism. VanVleet, a below-average career shooter at almost exactly 40%, is hitting that exact clip this season while averaging 13.2 points and 5.6 assists per game.
While VanVleet can distribute the ball well enough, he isn't an elite passer or on-ball defender. The shooting averages are subpar. As such, leaving him on the floor means that he needs the ball in his hands plenty in order to avoid sticking him in the corner. Thompson and Durant are both seeing their responsibilities shrink while VanVleet continues to chuck.
This wouldn't be as bad of a problem if he were even a below-average shooter, but there's a very real chance that VanVleet sees his career efficiency dip below 40% if he hits a cold streak. It shouldn't need to be said that getting KD some extra shots should be the No. 1 priority for this team.
Fred VanVleet is recreating his last season with the Raptors in Houston
Think about VanVleet's final year with the Raptors. Scottie Barnes was still developing, but he has been every bit the two way difference-maker Toronto envisioned. Pascal Siakam was an All-Star at the peak of his powers, and OG Anunoby has proven to be an underdeveloped offensive asset. How many games that season invovled VanVleet, second on the team in shots per gane, putting up box score tour dates?
VanVleet has his uses, especially for a Rockets team in a title window, but anyone hoping that a defense-first young wing takes a step forward playing alongside him is in for a very rude awakening.
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