Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
This week’s question asked about Fred VanVleet. We all know he was out with an ACL injury this year, and team management used his absence as a lame excuse as to why there was no improvement in the team this past season. That’s putting an awful lot of eggs in the basket of a 32-year-old
coming off of a major injury. So we asked you this week how you thought VanVleet came back from injury. Here’s what you said:
A full 51 percent of you think Fred VanVleet comes back slightly dimished. If you include the 17 percent that think he comes back very diminished, that’s 68 percent of voters who think we’ll be getting a lesser VanVleet. And honestly, if you look at his last numbers, a diminshed VanVleet is not going to be a good one.
He finished his last season played with the Rockets averaging 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists to go along with 37.8 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from deep. Hardly great numbers. Diminished from that, and we’re looking at a guy who might be on his way out.
Despite players lasting older and older these days, I do think we get a diminished VanVleet as well. With the Rockets appearing to be largely running it back for next season, just with VanVleet in return, it could be the last with this group together if the team fails to improve.
Don’t forget to check out our friends over at FanDuel. The Rockets are +4000 to win the NBA Title and +2000 to win the West. Those are some juicy odds if you’re one that feels VanVleet comes back the same or better.
