A point guard like Fred VanVleet makes everything go.
The Houston Rockets aren't getting to enjoy that this season, though. FVV has been watching the early portion of the season from the sideline.
That remains true on Friday night when the Rockets take on the San Antonio Spurs in a game that will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
The Rockets have gotten off to a 5-2 start to the season even without VanVleet, which is a good sign for what's to come.
Why isn't Fred VanVleet playing tonight?
Fred VanVleet isn't playing because of a brutal injury.
When the Rockets were working out as a team this preseason in the Bahamas, VanVleet tore his right ACL.
Is Fred VanVleet coming back this season?
At the time of VanVleet's injury, ESPN's Shams Charania wrote that FVV "could miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season."
He had his surgery in late September. It'd only be eight months between then and even late May, which is deep into the playoffs.
ACL recoveries seem to take between nine and 12 months, so it's hard to imagine a scenario where FVV plays this season.
Last season, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points per game in the regular season and upped that to 18.7 points per game in the postseason.
Amen Thompson has taken over the major playmaking role this season, along with running a lot of actions through talented center Alperen Sengun.