Fred VanVleet wanted none of it — none of that old losing Game 1 idea, none of the Brooklyn Nets, and none of the pressure on Pascal Siakam. VanVleet had just continued to negotiate his next contract in real time in Toronto’s 134-110 win in Game 1 over the Nets; at five-foot-11, he was the biggest man on the floor. And asked if Siakam is still finding his form, VanVleet politely refused to dance.
“I mean, I think our record’s 8-1, man,” VanVleet said, after dropping 30 points and 10 assists. “To be honest with you, I’m tired of answering that question, no disrespect to you or anybody else.