SALT LAKE CITY—Fred VanVleet is facing one of the toughest challenges of a professional career marked by challenges met and conquered, so there is reason to think he will pull it off.
He is the heartbeat of the Raptors, the conscience of a team that’s off to an inconsistent start to an important season and he needs to lead them — drag them screaming and kicking, if that’s necessary — into better days.
It won’t be easy, but if this group is to mesh, become consistent and establish the base that will ultimately lead to another championship run, it will be up to VanVleet to be the leader and catalyst.