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Toronto Raptors: Player grades based off preseason expectations

By Zach Wilson

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 06: Toronto Raptors Head Coach Nick Nurse stands amongst his team, (L-R) Fred VanVleet #23, OG Anunoby #3, Pascal Siakam #43, Serge Ibaka #9 and Kyle Lowry #7 as a call is disputed during second half of their NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Scotiabank Arena on November 6, 2019 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 - NOVEMBER 06: Toronto Raptors Head Coach Nick Nurse stands amongst his team, (L-R) Fred VanVleet #23, OG Anunoby #3, Pascal Siakam #43, Serge Ibaka #9 and Kyle Lowry #7 as a call is disputed during second half of their NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Scotiabank Arena on November 6, 2019 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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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images /

Fred VanVleet: B-

After receiving a single Finals MVP vote from Hubie Brown, Fred VanVleet was set to kick off the season with his newfound confidence. VanVleet was absolutely amazing in the second half of the Milwaukee Bucks series, and the entirety of the NBA finals last year, and with Nick Nurse looking to insert him into the starting lineup this season, VanVleet was being relied on to keep his high level of play up.

Playing as the third option beside Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, VanVleet’s job was simple; shoot threes, be a tertiary creator, and run the bench units. He has done exactly that this season. Averaging 17.6 points per game, and 6.6 assists, while maintaining roughly around the same efficiencies as past seasons, VanVleet was meeting expectations perfectly.

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I was always a little skeptical of VanVleet running his own team. He could lead bench units in small amounts, but his tendency to over-dribble, and force contested layups, hurt his chances at becoming a strong starting point guard. I felt like his current role was perfect for him.

When Lowry missed 12 games, someone had to step up as the de facto leader, and point guard, and that person was Fred VanVleet. The Raptors went 9-2 during Lowry’s 11 game injury stint, and winning without Lowry has been hard to come by the past seven seasons for Toronto.

Even though VanVleet continued to pound the air out of the ball a little too much, you have to commend him for the job he did as the starting point guard. He, like Ibaka, has likely earned himself a real solid contract at the end of the season, and Raptor fans are hopeful that he sticks around.

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