Kawhi Leonard was (rightfully) the 2019 NBA Finals MVP, but without Fred VanVleet and his Herculean efforts, I’m not sure the Toronto Raptors would’ve been hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy Thursday night.
VanVleet had his struggles during the 2019 NBA Playoffs. He was far from perfect. But when it mattered most, he was outstanding.
In the final three games against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, VanVleet shot 14-for-17 from behind the 3-point line. That’s astonishing. He didn’t keep up those numbers in the Finals (who could?), but he still impressed.