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Fred VanVleet: 'Too Much Real S--t Going On ... to Be Crying' Over All-Star Snub
February 24, 2021
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet said Tuesday that while he is disappointed about not being chosen as an All-Star, he isn't necessarily dwelling on it, either.
VanVleet gave his thoughts on the snub to reporters following his team's 109-102 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet:
Among other things, VanVleet said: "And it's also too much real s--t going on [in] the world for me to be crying about making the All-Star Game, you know what I'm saying?"
VanVleet is in the midst of his fifth NBA season and is enjoying a career year with averages of 19.8 points, 6.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 three-pointers made and 1.7 steals per game.
While VanVleet has been a go-to guy for the Raptors all season, he has been especially important over the past handful of games while point guard Kyle Lowry has been out with a thumb injury.
VanVleet, meanwhile, hasn't missed any of the Raptors 32 games, and he is a huge reason why they are now surging after a rough start to the season and own a 16-16 record.
Toronto started a disappointing 2-8 and 7-12, but it has won four of its past five games, with VanVleet leading the team in assists in four of those games.
Although forward Pascal Siakam leads the Raptors in scoring with 20.6 points per game, VanVleet has been the straw that stirs the drink, as he is second on the team in scoring and first in assists, steals and three-point field goals made.
The former Wichita State standout has been a key contributor for the past few years, and he played a big role on the Raptors team that won an NBA championship in 2019.
He has truly blossomed into a star this season, though, which is likely something few expected considering he went unselected in the 2016 NBA draft.
Missing out on the All-Star Game does little to discount what VanVleet has accomplished, but John Starks, Ben Wallace and Brad Miller are the only undrafted players in NBA history to be named to the All-Star Game, meaning it would have been a huge honor for VanVleet.
Being left out of the All-Star Game could ultimately be a positive for VanVleet, as it will allow him to rest and refocus for the second half of the season.
Toronto has finally stabilized and is fifth in the Eastern Conference. If it continues to play the way it has in recent weeks, its seeding could be even higher than that come playoff time.
VanVleet won't be part of the festivities, but basketball fans will be able to catch the NBA All-Star Game emanating from State Farm Arena in Atlanta on March 7.