Chauncey Billups calls Fred VanVleet ‘the most underrated player in basketball today’ | NBA

Who is the most underrated player in the league? The player who, by his regularity, on both sides of the floor, deserves more recognition from his peers but also from the public?

For several years, Jrue Holiday was often quoted, until his arrival in Milwaukee and his title of NBA champion then Olympic champion with Team USA in stride gave him the light he deserved. The title of “Most Underrated Player”, more subjective than anything else, is therefore put into play and for Chauncey Billups, it is Fred VanVleet and his atypical career (undrafted, passed by the G-League) who would hold the rope .

Valuable during the conquest of the title in 2019, he has continued to grow in power over the past two seasons before taking on a new dimension in this 2021/22 financial year, following the departure of Kyle Lowry. Beyond the course, it is all the qualities of the back of the Raptors that impresses Chauncey Billups.

“He’s just so underrated, to me, by the league. I think he might be the most underrated player in basketball today.” said the 2004 champion as Portland took on Toronto tonight. “He can do anything. You have to give him credit for being as good as he is. He is a defender who extinguishes opponents. He is a great shooter and a very good creator”.

A new preferential treatment to digest

“FVV” did not steal these compliments, he who has released great performances in recent weeks, won the title of best player of the week after achieving his first career triple-double and had felt the adaptation of the defenses in relation to his game.

“He is able to manipulate defenses with his qualities and his basketball IQ. Most of the players who can do this stuff are the superstars here. So give it the credit it deserves. He’s a badass. I was proud to see him develop, continue to progress and be a leader,” added Chauncey Billups.

Chauncey Billups too, had concocted preferential treatment for Fred VanVleet. A paying choice since the Blazers won after a controlled match until the end, despite the return of the Raptors. A new stage therefore presents itself for the player before being considered a star of the league.

This will perhaps not pass a selection for the All-Star Game but above all by a better adaptation to the new challenges imposed by the opposing defenses while he has been a little less well for ten days (32.5% success in shooting in his last 7 games) against opponents who are now clearly targeting him.