Rockets are making Fred VanVleet realization the Raptors fans already know

The Toronto Raptors may not have made the playoffs this year, but that doesn't mean there aren't former players from the team enjoying postseason action elsewhere.

One notable ex-Raptor currently competing in the playoffs is Fred VanVleet, who now plays as a guard for the Houston Rockets.

Raptors fans will always cherish Fred VanVleet's standout moments, especially during the triumphant 2019 championship run when he seemed to elevate his game to a whole new level. His stellar performances even put him in the conversation for Finals MVP.

That championship run sparked discussions about VanVleet's potential as a star in Toronto. While he earned praise as an All-Star and proved to be a talented guard, fans soon discovered that his inconsistencies and tendency to fade when the stakes were highest became a setback for the team.

We're seeing this unfold again as the Rockets begin their playoff journey, and the die-hard Raptors faithful could have easily warned Houston fans that this FVV cycle was coming from a mile away; they know it all too well.

In Game 1 of the Warriors-Rockets first-round matchup on April 20, the higher-seeded Rockets struggled to keep up with the veteran firepower of Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, who scored 31 and 25 points, respectively.

On the Rockets' side, they were hanging on for dear life thanks to Alperen Sengun, who led the charge with 26 points and nine rebounds. Unfortunately, the rest of Houston's lineup struggled to make an impact, and that includes the previously mentioned VanVleet.

Ex-Raptor Fred VanVleet struggles in Game 1 of Rockets vs. Warriors

VanVleet logged a team-high 40 minutes and 22 seconds on the court, but you wouldn’t know it from his lackluster performance. He scored just 10 points on a dismal 4-for-19 shooting (21.1%), struggled from beyond the arc with a 2-for-13 showing (15.4%), and recorded seven assists.

On a night when FVV's backcourt partner, Jalen Green, also had a rough game, it painted a bleak picture for Houston's chances for the rest of the night.

In a clip shared on X, VanVleet talked to the media after the loss. He mentioned how much he appreciated the home-court advantage, but his uninspiring performance drew criticism from Rockets fans in the replies.

I’m not here to kick a guy when he’s down, but after watching VanVleet with the Raptors, I’ve learned to lower my expectations with him to avoid disappointment. That said, I’m not sure if that approach holds in Houston, especially given how much money he’s making there. He’ll definitely need to step it up to meet what one Rockets fan pleaded for on X, at the very least:

This isn't anything new with the polarizing guard; it's just part of the Fred VanVleet experience. He’ll likely have a game where he pops off for 30 or maybe even 40 points, and that will be the highlight of his season.

But if you’re counting on FVV to be your go-to guy under the bright lights, especially during the playoffs? Well, Raptors fans could’ve warned you to hold your horses on that one, because those days have come and gone.