Fred VanVleet says heartfelt goodbye to Toronto, gets trolled by Drake

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Fred VanVleet’s goodbye to Toronto was what you’d expect from the man: Honest, heartfelt, with a bit of humour mixed in.

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The point guard and franchise legend left for the Houston Rockets last week, signing a three-year, $130 million US max contract and said adios to Canada via Instagram on Sunday.

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“Words can’t do justice to how thankful I am to the city that watched me grow from a young kid praying for a chance to a NBA CHAMPION, all-star, and a father of 3! I am forever indebted to the franchise that gave me a shot when no one else would,” VanVleet said in his post.

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VanVleet was alluding to being wooed by the team after going undrafted in 2016 and then having to scratch and claw to win the final roster spot. From there, the Rockford, Ill., native worked his way into the rotation, even in the playoffs against Cleveland, then led the NBA’s best bench, the Bench Mob, won a G League title with Raptors 905, shook off a shooting slump to lead the Raptors to an NBA championship, became a solid starter alongside Kyle Lowry and then the team’s leader and an all-star when Lowry departed for Miami.

“We built things together that can never be broken, and accomplished things that will stand forever. I went from the fans not knowing who I was, to fan favorite, to most hated and I’m thankful for every second of it,” VanVleet said.

VanVleet was referring there to his Cinderella story taking a darker turn more recently, with some going way over the top on social media (as some did in the past with Pascal Siakam) and blaming VanVleet for all that ailed the Raptors in Tampa Bay and then in this more recent poor season.