(TORONTO) If the longevity of the Raptors’ kit in the playoffs depends on Fred VanVleet playing to his full potential, seeing the star point guard in street clothes in the last three games of the season was not reassuring.
Posted at 8:31 p.m.
Although VanVleet is expected to play Saturday when the Raptors start the first of the playoffs against the 76ers of Philadelphia, a question remains on everyone’s lips. How’s his knee?
“How was I to know that was going to be the first question?” “, he launched with a smirk.
The Raptors managed to avoid the NBA playoff qualifier, giving VanVleet — and other players who are plagued by injuries like OG Anunoby — an extra week to recuperate. However, the success of this team falls partially on the shoulders of the native of Rockford, Illinois.
“Partial rest, total rest, partial training, full intensity training, getting back into my routine… I had a good work week,” said VanVleet. I am preparing for this series. It could go very well or very badly. I’m optimistic about that. I feel good. I continue to do my work and my rehabilitation. »
VanVleet, who has a knee injury, hasn’t played in 11 of the Raptors’ last 24 games. He added that the injury “won’t go away”, but that “I really feel better than the last time you saw me”.
The 28-year-old averaged 20.3 points and 6.7 assists per game this season. These numbers, which are a personal career high, earned him his first appearance in the All-Star Game.
His nerves of steel have allowed him to take control of several encounters. And his rigorous work ethic is still unmatched. The cult image from Game 4 of the 2019 NBA Finals where VanVleet is lying on the floor of Oracle Arena in Oakland, arm outstretched, blood flowing from a lesion under his eye and one of his teeth hanging out a little further , is one of the proofs.
VanVleet, however, struggled in the first two rounds, against the Orlando Magic and the 76ersduring the historic conquest of the Larry O’Brien trophy.
“It was an experience that brought me down to earth. I had to improve, he said after training. There were more discussions with the coaching staff to determine where I felt most effective. »
The turning point for him was Kawhi Leonard’s famous basket beating the sound of the bell in game 7 against the 76ers. He kept the Raptors alive and gave VanVleet a second wind.
“There are challenges in everyone’s career. I study acting, VanVleet noted. I watch basketball every night and I see it. When it’s your turn to be in the spotlight, it’s not fun. But almost everyone goes there. »
VanVleet expects tough play against 76erswho “a few weeks ago were the favorites,” he said.
The 76 teamers counts on several headliners, including the imposing Cameroonian Joel Embiid, who won the scoring championship this season and his team’s most valuable player in 2018 and the leading scorer that season, James Harden.
VanVleet said maintaining possession will be a big factor for the Raptors as it’s an integral part of the team’s identity. They are second in the league in offensive rebounds while the 76ers are at 30and rank. The Raptors take the 8and cumulative echelon for rebounds as Pennsylvania club take 29and position.
Besides winning duels, do the Raptors have a plan B?
” Sure ! Let’s see, it’s Nick Nurse our trainer, ”retorted VanVleet, who made the journalists present laugh a lot.
A healthy Anunoby will be another key factor for the Raptors. He missed 15 games earlier this season with a broken finger, but was excellent on his short comeback. Short, as he suffered a thigh injury right after that and missed the last four meetings of the campaign.
“You remember when OG didn’t play for two weeks, he came back and it looked like he never left,” Chris Boucher said. Well, that’s exactly how he plays in practice. He will be ready for the playoffs. I didn’t see anything that indicated to me that he wouldn’t be ready. »
The second game in a series of up to seven will be played Monday in Philadelphia. The teams will return to the collar in Toronto for Games 3 and 4, on April 20 and 23 respectively. The series will return to Philadelphia for Part Five, if necessary.