Inside The Rockets

Fred VanVleet Remains Important to Rockets Future

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet is a key cog in the machine.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 20, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) shoots the ball as Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Nov 20, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) shoots the ball as Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets have a lot of young talent, and sometimes that can leave All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet overlooked.

However, VanVleet is still off to a solid start on the season, averaging 15.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Rockets.

Even though VanVleet may not be seen as the "future" of the Rockets, he remains a key part of the team.

"It’s fair to wonder how the veteran’s role will shift in year nine on the Rockets, who have almost too many potential breakout candidates to mention. But for as long as he’s around, his particular set of skills will continue to serve as a steadying force on a young team with as much variance as any," Danny Chau of The Ringer writes.

VanVleet was important for last year's ascent from the West's worst record to .500, and now that he has an established team around him, he can become an important part of the winning formula for a potential playoff series.

VanVleet has championship experience after winning a ring with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, and that will continue to give him confidence as the season trudges in.

VanVleet and the Rockets are back in action tomorrow against the Portland Trail Blazers in the Emirates NBA Cup. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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