The Rockets have their point guard back. How long will it take Fred VanVleet to be himself again?
VanVleet has been playing five-on-five, but he says nothing can fully prepare him for the speed and demands of a real NBA game.
Fred VanVleet, the Houston Rockets guard, can feel the difference in his knee after tearing his ACL last season and missing the entire 2024-25 NBA season. He remains in the return-to-play process and acknowledges that an adjustment period is necessary. The 32-year-old point guard is currently playing five-on-five and participating in training camp, but he stresses that game-speed workouts remain a challenge.
VanVleet's return is crucial for a Rockets team that has lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. His leadership and organizational skills have been vital, especially in preventing turnovers and executing late-game strategies. While questions remain about his impact as an older guard returning from injury, his teammates view him as a pivotal part of the team's identity.
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