43 Million! How Bad Is Fred VanVleet's Playoff Struggle?

In the world of the NBA, where contracts, stats, and performances are under constant scrutiny, one player has found himself at the center of an uncomfortable conversation during this year’s postseason. Fred VanVleet, a former NBA champion and one of the standout players of the Toronto Raptors' 2019 title run, signed a hefty $43 million deal with the Houston Rockets for the 2023-2024 season. Now, a few games into the playoffs, his performance has raised more than a few eyebrows, and not for good reasons.

VanVleet’s struggles this postseason have been stark. In Game 3 of the Rockets’ first-round series against the Golden State Warriors, his shooting woes were on full display. Despite being the team’s highest-paid player and holding a significant role on the roster, VanVleet has consistently underperformed when the Rockets needed him most. In a playoff series where every possession matters, his numbers have been nothing short of disappointing.

In Game 3, VanVleet had a decent start with 13 points in the first quarter, hitting 4 of 6 shots. But as the game wore on, he fell off dramatically. Over the next three quarters, he managed just 4 points, hitting only 1 of 8 shots from the field. By the time the buzzer sounded, VanVleet finished with 17 points, but it was a hollow performance marked by inefficiency. His shooting line, 14 of 5 from the field and 9 of 3 from deep, epitomized his struggles this series. The Rockets lost the game 104-93, now down 2-1 in the series, and VanVleet’s inability to perform in critical moments was a glaring issue.

It’s not that VanVleet hasn’t had his moments in the past. He’s a capable player who has shown resilience and a knack for stepping up in big games. However, this postseason, his shooting efficiency has plummeted to an unacceptable level. His field goal percentage has been atrocious, hovering around 26.8%, and his three-point shooting has dipped even further to 20.7%. These numbers are far below his regular-season averages, and they raise serious concerns about his ability to live up to his contract and perform under the intense pressure of playoff basketball.

Compare this to his regular-season performance, where he averaged 14.1 points per game, shooting 37.8% from the field and 34.5% from beyond the arc. While not elite by any means, these are solid numbers for a player in his position. However, the postseason has been a different story altogether. It’s clear that the bright lights and high stakes have exposed his weaknesses, and the Rockets are feeling the sting of that reality.

One of the most glaring aspects of VanVleet’s struggle is his lack of impact on the game. In a series where the Rockets are looking to build on their youthful energy and try to make a deep run, VanVleet was expected to be the seasoned leader who could guide them through the toughest moments. Instead, he has been inconsistent, often disappearing when his team needs him most. In Game 3, for example, the Rockets were within striking distance in the fourth quarter, but they couldn’t buy a bucket. VanVleet’s inability to hit timely shots contributed to their collapse down the stretch.

It’s not just about missed shots, though. VanVleet’s overall playmaking and leadership have also been subpar. In a series where every possession counts, his decision-making has been questioned, and his impact as a floor general hasn’t been as evident as it should be. His lack of confidence on the floor has been noticeable, and as a result, the Rockets have found themselves relying heavily on other players, like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, to carry the load.

The frustrations with VanVleet’s postseason performance aren’t just confined to his shooting struggles. His defense, too, has been underwhelming. While he’s not known for being an elite defender, VanVleet has always been a scrappy player who could hold his own against opposing guards. However, this year’s playoffs have seen him struggle on that end as well. His perimeter defense hasn’t been as tight as usual, and his inability to contest shots or make an impact on that side of the ball has compounded the Rockets’ problems.

What makes the situation even more frustrating for the Rockets is that VanVleet’s underperformance comes at a time when they desperately need his leadership. This team is young, and while they have a lot of promising talent, they still need veterans to show them the way. VanVleet was supposed to be that veteran presence, providing guidance, stability, and the ability to hit clutch shots when it matters most. Instead, he has fallen short of those expectations.

There’s also the matter of his hefty contract. At $43 million this season and an additional $45 million next season (with a player option), VanVleet’s contract places significant pressure on him to perform. The Rockets have invested a substantial amount of money into him, hoping he would be the missing piece that could elevate them from a rebuilding team to a competitive one. But if his poor play continues, it raises the question of whether the Rockets made a wise investment.

Of course, it's easy to point fingers at VanVleet, but the Rockets as a whole have been inconsistent in the series. Jalen Green, despite his flashes of brilliance, has been up and down, while Sengun has had his own struggles. However, VanVleet’s experience and leadership should have been able to steady the ship, and yet, his inconsistency has only added to the team’s woes.

In the grand scheme of things, this postseason could mark a turning point in VanVleet’s career. If he can’t find a way to improve and become the player the Rockets thought they were getting when they signed him to that massive contract, questions will start to surface. Is he truly a franchise player? Can he perform when the pressure is on? The Rockets have given him a golden opportunity, and how he responds could define his legacy with this team.

For the Rockets’ sake, they need Fred VanVleet to step up. They can’t afford to be in a position where their highest-paid player is the one holding them back. The season may be far from over, but as the playoffs unfold, it’s becoming increasingly clear that VanVleet’s struggles could be one of the major storylines of this postseason. If he can’t turn things around, it may be time for the Rockets to reevaluate his place in their future plans.