WORDZ of WOZDOM
‘Steady Freddie’ saves his best for last, overcoming early post-season struggles to help Raptors win first title ... Assistant GM Tolzman saw something special in VanVleet ... Green a leader
When Fred VanVleet was having a brutal time of it a month or so ago with the Toronto Raptors’ season teetering thanks to the Philadelphia 76ers, he heard the calls for his benching loud and clear.
VanVleet had been OK in Toronto’s five-game win over Orlando in Round 1, before his game completely abandoned him against the 76ers, especially his outside shot (1-for-14 three-point shooting in the series).
But nobody had to tell the third-year point guard he needed to be a lot better, because “I’m my hardest critic,” VanVleet said after the Raptors won the NBA title in Oakland earlier this week.
“I went back and watched some of the games. Maybe two of the Philly games I didn’t like. The others I didn’t get no shots, my minutes was down. I just stayed with it. I didn’t lash out at (head coach Nick Nurse) for not playing me. I didn’t get mad at Kawhi (Leonard) and those guys for not passing the ball,” VanVleet said.
“I just stuck with it, continued to work through it and understanding that Milwaukee series would be a different animal and just having my breakout series there and just trying to carry as much as possible going forward.”
Carry it forward was an understatement. The former Wichita State star was spectacular in Toronto’s final three games of the Eastern Conference Final against Milwaukee, hitting 14-of-17 three-point attempts in those games with nine assists and only a single turnover.
“Steady Freddie, man. They call him Steady Freddie for a reason. Amazing,” said assistant coach Phil Handy inside the Raptors locker-room.
“He’s a winner. You can’t really teach that. He went through the fire. To me guys like him, the intangibles is what they bring. They bring a winning spirit and that’s one thing I learned about Freddie the day I got here. He wants to win by any means necessary. The man earned his contract.”
VanVleet had signed a three-year extension with the Raptors worth about $28 million and finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season, before battling through an injury-plagued campaign and early playoff struggles.
He was even better in the NBA Finals, averaging 14 points on 39.3% outside shooting, including crucial 5-for-11 work in the seriesclincher on Thursday.
“Every shot you saw (Thursday) I’ve worked on that I’ve worked countless nights and countless days,” VanVleet said. “Two a days three a days in the summertime. Training camp, working all year and to have your teammates give you the ball have your coaching staff put you in positions to get the ball, it was great to be able to perform at a high level.”
TOLZMAN A BIG FAN
The performance amazed assistant general manager Dan Tolzman, who had aggressively pursued VanVleet on his draft night when he was passed over by every NBA team.
“The game that he had tonight, it’s, there’s no better way for him to put his stamp on this team and this championship we don’t win this without him,” Tolzman told the Toronto Sun.
“All season long and then in the biggest moments, the biggest game, like (what can you say). And then giving him a hug on stage afterwards. Oh man, it just means so much,” Tolzman said.
VanVleet didn’t have the size or athleticism of top prospects, but Tolzman and the rest of the staff saw something they liked and VanVleet took it from there.
“He’s just always been a winner. People always talk about he hearts of champions and what he’s done throughout his career with back against the wall, everyone doubting him. He always comes out with something,” Tolzman said. “I’m so happy that he put himself in this position. He’s the one that developed and put in all the hard work. We gave him a shot, but man, he took it and ran with it.”
“I remember when he struggled at he beginning and it was a roller coaster but, you have to believe and these guys believe,” said team president Masai Ujiri.
VanVleet even ended up getting a Finals MVP vote from legendary coach turned broadcaster Hubie Brown, spoiling a perfect ballot for Leonard.
“Shout out to Hubie. I’ve got to give him a call for that. I think Hubie’s been around the game for a long time. He knows what I mean to the game,” VanVleet said. “My teammates know what I mean. Obviously Kawhi is our superstar. We wouldn’t be in this position without him. But it’s guys like myself, Pascal, Serge, Marc.
“Even though Marc and Danny didn’t have great nights but the other guys have to play well, too. Being able to be one of those guys to help take us over the hump is a really special feeling.
“To go out there and be able to answer the call is special. Being a guy who had to work his way on to a team three years ago to prove what time of player I could be is a great feeling,” VanVleet said.
GREEN HOPES HE HELPED
Green ended up ceding second-half starts to VanVleet in the final games of the season and didn’t have any offensive impact in Game 6, but was a steady, crucial addition all season both on and off the court.
“I try to bring as much as I can. Even though I’m not such a great superstar player but try to help with little things and habits and leadership in the locker-room,” Green said. “I know I’ve been a pain in the ass to those (young) guys all year so hopefully it was worth it. I hope (it was).”
Green, like Leonard, is now an unrestricted free agent. Unlike Leonard, who has said precious little about his future, Green has said on several occasions that he would love to return to the Raptors.