Sports Weekly All Media Reporter Kong Yang
After six years in the league, VanVleet finally knocked on the door of the All-Star Game.
For a basketball player, being able to play in the NBA is a great enough achievement. To be a member of the All-Stars is something to be forever proud of. This season, a total of four players are on the All-Star stage for the first time. Wiggins was the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft, Morant was the No. 2 pick in 2018, and host Garland was also a lottery pick. However, VanVleet entered the NBA undrafted. In the past 30 years, only four undrafted picks have made it to the All-Star Game: Starks, Brad Miller, Ben Wallace and this season’s VanVleet.
VanVleet has had the best performance of his career so far this season. There are many talented wings in the Raptors, but he is the first core of the team, averaging 21.5 points and 7.1 assists per game, and hitting 39% of his three-pointers. Even more terrifying is that VanVleet’s average playing time is as high as 38.7 minutes, ranking first in the league. Under the leadership of VanVleet, the Raptors now have a record of 27 wins and 23 losses, especially after beating the Raptors, Bulls and other powerful enemies in a row in recent times, they are only one step away from the Nets, which are ranked sixth in the East. 1.5 wins.
Many people think that LaMelo Ball’s loss is somewhat regrettable, but whether it is from a record or a data perspective, Van Jordan’s selection is equally well-deserved. “I’m proud, humbled and honored to be an All-Star. Obviously, you all know how I feel about myself and the will and confidence I have in my life and in my career. But to get something like this Acknowledging, I really think it’s a very special moment,” he said in an interview.
VanVleet started his career in the 2016-17 season with the Raptors. As an undrafted, he got the opportunity to participate in the Raptors training camp that year. VanVleet’s performance in the preseason was not particularly good, but he still used his performance to impress the Raptors’ coaching staff. “At the time, I was in the hotel praying that my performance would satisfy the team. Luckily, I had a very good first day of training camp and finally I was able to stay in the team.”
When he first entered the league, VanVleet didn’t really get many chances. But as his career progressed, his place in the Raptors became more and more solid. VanVleet said that in his career, in addition to the coaches, former Raptors guard Lowry also had a great influence on him. In the first few years of the Raptors, VanVleet has always played the role of Lowry’s backup, and the two have maintained a good relationship on and off the court. He said: “On my first day with the team, Lori showed me the blueprint for the team, on the pitch and in life, I was under his umbrella and I went as far as I could. He learns.”
Later, Van Vleet followed in the footsteps of Lori and became famous in the 2019 finals, and was called “Van Jordan” by Chinese fans. After last season, Lowry left Toronto, and VanVleet became the team’s new leader. However, the two still kept in touch, and Lori still gave VanVleet some advice from time to time.
“I have a very, very good relationship with Lori, even though I’ve always been competitive and want to be better than him. Even now, I want to be better and follow Lori’s footsteps and his greatness, On the basketball court and in life, I admire Lori so much and have a lot of respect for him.” VanVleet continued, “Lori knows our relationship is mutual and he always treats me with respect. He was willing to share anything with me without reservation, good or bad. Plus, Lori would give me space to find answers to my questions, and I would apply what he taught me along the way to my career and in life.”
Now on the All-Star stage, this is another step in VanVleet’s career. From the undrafted to the All-Star, and won the championship, Van Jordan’s career has long been a legend. As Raptors head coach Nurse said, “The All-Star selection adds a new chapter to VanVleet’s already legendary career.”
