Fred VanVleet’s return gave the Rockets exactly the kind of lift they were missing.
After 523 days away from NBA action, VanVleet finally got back on the floor last Friday in Macao, suiting up for Houston’s preseason opener against the Mavericks. He had already cautioned fans that the comeback would take some adjustment, but there was no sign of rust in the box score: 17 points and 7 assists in 24 minutes. More importantly, his presence immediately clarified something Houston had lacked - a steady, connective guard who can shoot, pass and keep the offense moving.
That showed up right away in the way VanVleet played. He knocked down 5 of 12 from beyond the arc and didn’t take a single shot inside the three-point line.
The efficiency was nice, but the real value was broader than one hot shooting night. VanVleet releases the ball quickly, with more fearlessness than just about anyone on the roster other than Reed Sheppard, and he’ll even let it fly from deep range, as he did once from the logo.
That kind of threat changes how defenses have to guard him. They can’t give him daylight, and they can’t ease up on closeouts.
That matters for Houston because VanVleet’s gravity creates room for everyone else. When he is running around the perimeter as a live three-point threat, defenders are pulled with him, which opens driving lanes and gives the Rockets extra chances to attack the rim and go after offensive rebounds. For a team as strong on the glass as Houston, those extra cracks in the defense can swing possessions fast.
The passing was just as important. VanVleet finished with 7 assists and only 1 turnover, and the variety of his setup work stood out.
Some of his feeds led directly to layups, while others set up threes. In each case, he seemed to know exactly where his teammates wanted the ball and how to get it there.
That kind of control was what Houston missed. VanVleet was a stabilizing force in his first two seasons with the team, giving young players around him a dependable foundation with sound passing, reliable outside shooting and low-risk decision-making. His numbers may not have always jumped off the page, but the offense ran cleaner with him on the floor, and other players had a much easier time scoring.
Without him last season, the Rockets were short on solid point guard play, and it showed most clearly in the playoffs, when the young group was left to handle things on its own while VanVleet and Kevin Durant were sidelined with injury. Now both veterans are healthy, and Houston is hoping that combination can raise the offense another level.
That’s the value of a true point guard, and it’s why Steady Freddy matters so much to this team. If this preseason opener was any indication, the Rockets may have found the missing piece again.
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