Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 6 vs. Wizards

1. Fred VanVleet quietly proved his importance once again

One key returning component Friday was Sixth Man of the Year candidate Fred VanVleet. VanVleet finished with five points, five rebounds and four assists on the night in his return from injury.

His return appeared to come at the right time as a Game 6 can sometimes bring out tired legs and bodies. VanVleet showed not only what his fresh legs meant, but continued to silently show how impactful his presence can be. Toronto welcomed him back with open arms.

VanVleet brings a certain level of calm to Toronto that not many guys his age possess. He has a contagious cool that can spread like wildfire and a fundamental game that could slow down any circus.

While the raw numbers may not immediately pop off the page, VanVleet’s overall impact is undeniable.

The Raptors didn’t look like themselves without Fred VanVleet. Some glue guys have that effect when missing.

Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft

One can only imagine how the Raptors will look once VanVleet is 100 percent. Hopefully, we’ll find out in the second round.