“The Rockets are victorious tonight in opposition to the Guangdong Dragons”, declared veteran broadcaster Craig Ackerman as the ultimate buzzer sounded. Ackerman, now the voice of Houston regional tv exhibits on the House Metropolis Residence Community, captured the second because the Houston Rockets erased a 16-point deficit to safe a 114-110 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
When Fred VanVleet left the Raptors to hitch the Rockets in the course of the 2023 free company interval, the veteran level guard bid a heartfelt farewell to Toronto on Instagram. Shortly after, the rapper and avid Raptors supporter Drake took the chance to playfully mock VanVleet and his new crew within the feedback part.
Drake trolls Fred VanVleet throughout his commerce to the Houston Rockets
“My doppelganger…love is endlessly,” Drake wrote within the feedback part of VanVleet’s put up. “Thanks in your character and contributions through the years. The town will always remember! Good luck with something involving the Guangdong Dragons…I imply, the Rockets.
“Chill out.” » replied the previous Toronto Raptor.
Guangdong is of course a Chinese language skilled league crew. The transfer made sense on the time, contemplating Houston’s struggles, together with a dismal 22-60 document the earlier season and three straight years ending among the many backside two groups within the NBA.
With the addition of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, mixed with the continued improvement of their younger expertise, the Rockets have made outstanding progress. They completed the 2023-24 season tied 41-41 and continued that development into the 2024-25 marketing campaign, with a 19-9 document. This spectacular begin positions them third within the Western Convention, simply half a recreation out of second place.
The Raptors are struggling this season
With out VanVleet, the The raptors have fallen to a 7-22 document, inserting them among the many worst groups within the league. In contrast, in Sunday’s win at Toronto — VanVleet’s first recreation again as a customer after lacking final season’s recreation attributable to damage — Houston’s broadcast crew didn’t could not assist however take pleasure in his personal playful trolling as the ultimate seconds expired.
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VanVleet had a quiet efficiency within the recreation, recording 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and solely 2 factors whereas capturing a chilly 1 for 10 (10.0%). After the sport, head coach Ime Udoka advised that VanVleet may need felt some “nerves” in his first recreation in Toronto as a visiting participant.
Ultimately, VanVleet obtained what mattered most: a victory. With the assistance of the Houston broadcast crew, he most likely additionally loved a second of levity at Drake’s expense.
To welcome VanVleet’s return, the Raptors group confirmed its respect with a pregame “welcome” message outdoors the Houston locker room, adopted by a tribute video in the course of the recreation.
Fred VanVleet had already amassed vital wealth throughout his profession earlier than becoming a member of the Houston Rockets, however his most up-to-date contract raised the bar. Valued at $130 million, it’s the highest contract ever earned by an undrafted participant in NBA historical past.
