Not really on NBA radar during his college career, becoming All-Star and champion in Toronto, Fred VanVleet added another line to his CV by becoming this summer the first undrafted player to sign a “max deal” of this magnitude in his career.
With $ 130 million over three years with the Rockets (the last year is optional), the 29-year-old veteran point guard wins the jackpot, but he claims to be able to assume these responsibilities, which are not new to him.
Leader of the Raptors since the departure of Kawhi Leonard then the historic Kyle Lowry, with 19 points, 7 assists last season, FVV knows that he must help bring the Rockets back to the playoffs.
“They just want me to be myself”, explains Fred VanVleet on ESPN. ” I know people are freaking out over the amount [de mon contrat], but the league is changing every year and this figure will not be so impressive in a few years. There’s a surprise factor that comes into play knowing that I wasn’t drafted. But I can tell you that I will work hard to prove that I am worth every penny. »
After drafting in the Top 4 for the past three years, three years with largely negative results, it’s time for the Rockets to develop their young talents… thanks to the arrival of veterans on their side.
“I needed a fresh start”
This is the task that now falls to Ime Udoka, the former Celtics technician who must guide the young Texan troupe towards a bright future. With FVV as relay in the field!
“I want to try to set the tone and bring my professional approach from day one. I think there will be a new atmosphere in the team between Ime and other veterans [Dillon Brooks et Jeff Green] who arrive. We have a lot of talented young players and we want to find the right balance to become a winning team. »
Present at the edge of the floor in Las Vegas to witness the Rockets’ victory against Portland (100-99), on a 3-point shot at the buzzer from Jabari Smith Jr. (33 points, 7 rebounds), Fred VanVleet is optimistic about the rest of his career in Houston, even if he obviously does not forget his heart Raptors.
“I owe them my whole career, but the time had come for a change of scenery,” concludes Fred VanVleet. “I needed a fresh start and I’m really happy to be with a new group and to take them as far as possible. »
| Fred VanVleet | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 37 | 8 | 35.1 | 37.9 | 81.8 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 2.9 |
| 2017-18 | TOR | 76 | 20 | 42.6 | 41.4 | 83.2 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 8.6 |
| 2018-19 | TOR | 64 | 28 | 41.0 | 37.8 | 84.3 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 11.0 |
| 2019-20 | TOR | 54 | 36 | 41.3 | 39.0 | 84.8 | 0.3 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 6.6 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 17.6 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | 52 | 37 | 38.9 | 36.6 | 88.5 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.3 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 19.6 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 65 | 38 | 40.3 | 37.7 | 87.4 | 0.7 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 6.7 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 20.3 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 69 | 37 | 39.3 | 34.2 | 89.8 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 7.2 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 19.4 |
| Total | 417 | 30 | 40.2 | 37.3 | 86.9 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 5.3 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 14.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
