Fred VanVleet spent seven years with the Toronto Raptors before joining the Houston Rockets this summer.
The veteran guard won a championship during his tenure in Canada, along with making a lone All-Star appearance. However, VanVleet saw Toronto moving in a different direction and made the difficult choice to head to Texas.
VanVleet recently shared his thought process on leaving the Raptors during an interview on Adrian Wojnarowski’s “The Woj Pod.”
“Once we got to that point where it was like, OK, they clearly are going in a different direction, this is not the situation that I was brought into and kind of nurtured in and cultured in and won a championship in,” VanVleet said. “This is a different environment that they have to kind of start over a little bit…It was just a time where it’s starting to go around Scottie, it’s starting to go around some of the other young guys. My value there wasn’t probably as great as it was in Houston. That’s really what it all boiled down to.”
Since becoming a part of the Rockets, VanVleet has played a pivotal role in reshaping the team’s culture within the locker room. Alongside Dillon Brooks, both have assumed leadership roles as experienced players. Brooks is recognized for his ability to provoke and unsettle even the calmest opponents, while VanVleet contributes a winning mindset and the prestige of a championship ring, earning him respect within the team.
VanVleet’s decision to join the Rockets was not driven by a desire to let his career stagnate. Instead, he chose to be a catalyst in putting Houston back on the basketball map. Opting for a franchise that recognized the value he could bring, VanVleet directed himself towards a team where his influence could truly make a significant impact, allowing him to lead.
Acknowledging that the opportunity for such a leadership role might not have been available in Toronto, it becomes evident that VanVleet made a judicious decision by choosing to relocate to Texas and align himself with head coach Ime Udoka. The move represents a conscious effort to be part of a team where his contributions matter and where he can effectively lead, showcasing his commitment to making a meaningful difference in the Rockets’ journey to success.
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