NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Houston Rockets could make the playoffs but if Fred VanVleet keeps up with the inconsistency, that will go down the drain. This offseason he signed a big deal and while his numbers are reasonable, he needs to take over this team.
Many forget that VanVleet was an important piece to the Toronto Raptors’ 2018 Championship run. He was an important piece to the Raptors team afterward, and now, the young Houston Rockets need his leadership, and he’s been MIA more often than not.
On the season he’s averaging 16.4 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting .378 percent from the floor. Not bad numbers at all but he was brought here to do and be more than just the numbers.
For a young team, the Rockets need him to be not just a leader with shots and assists, he must be a vocal leader in the locker room and on the floor. He has to show them how winning is done and what it takes. Head Coach Ime Udoka can only do so much from the sidelines, VanVleet has to do the rest.
The Rockets have played good basketball since the start of the 2023-24 season. many expect to be at the bottom of the standings, and yet, here they are in playoff contention. What’s surprising regarding these Rockets is their effort on the defensive end of the court. Who leads the NBA in Points Against? Yes, the Rockets. But on the offensive end of the court, they have struggled. The Rockets rank 26th in Points Scored. They need to focus.
Can The Houston Rockets Count On VanVleet
While Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun have placed solid numbers across the board, it’s the play of VanVleet where the line is drawn between good and bad. In his defense, VanVleet’s assists numbers are the highest of his career. He’s also playing the most minutes (38) than he’s ever played per game. But then there are the negatives.
Fred VanVleet’s numbers are slightly down just a bit in certain areas and that’s what hindering the young Rockets team. VanVleet is shooing .378 percent which is his lowest since his rookie season in 2016. He’s also taking 14.2 shot attempts which is his lowest since the 2018 season. His three-point shooting is right where it’s been throughout his career but he’s not going to the rim as he should be.
The Houston Rockets are young and athletic and this is not the same type of team he’s had while with the Raptors. These Rockets are built on fast pace, and hitting open shoots. The team as a whole are 18th in assists. That means there is no real ball movement on offense. It’s VanVleet passing, and that’s it.
At some point, Fred VanVleet will need to assert himself as a scorer. There have been too many games of him shooting 6-14 or worse. While he’s open on most, he still tends to hoist up shots with a hand in his face. He has a green light but maybe he needs to be a bit more under control.
While the scoring and assists are a major part of winning, what the Rockets need most is a leader on the court. VanVleet must stay in the face of his teammates. Make sure they’re in the right spots. When mistakes are made, help them correct what happened. When good plays occur, make sure they are appreciated. This is what VanVleet brings to the Houston Rockets. He has won before. He knows what it takes to get it done. He has the big-game experience and has played with future Hall of Famers. He’s capable of being that guy.
