Historic Night For Fred VanVleet Puts Happy Faces Back On Toronto Raptors

Fred VanVleet was Superman for the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night, pouring in a franchise-record 54 points in a 123-108 romp over the Orlando Magic.

Let this sink in: VanVleet accounted for 44% of his team’s scoring on the night in 37 minutes of action.

The previous franchise record of 52 points had been held by DeMar DeRozan, who took to Twitter to congratulate him. “Glad you did it champ. Been telling you.”

Said VanVleet after the game: “Definitely had him in mind as I got close.”

What made this performance so extraordinary was that every NBA team had passed on VanVleet until the Raptors took a chance and signed him out of Wichita State.

VanVleet’s 54 points were the most scored by an undrafted player, eclipsing Moses Malone, who had 53 on Feb. 2, 1982 against San Diego, according to @EliasSports.

VanVleet was clearly in the zone. He scored his 54 points on only 23 shots and hit 11 three-pointers on only 14 attempts.

On top of his great offensive performance, VanVleet was strong on defense too, with three blocks and two steals.

Overall, it was one of the best individual performances in Raptors history.

VanVleet was not just catching and shooting either. He was driving to the basket on individual efforts and cutting through tight lanes to take a pass and make a layup.

Remember, this is not someone who is 6-foot-5 and overpowers people. The 26-year-old VanVleet is listed at 6-foot-1. VanVleet succeeds by stealth. But don’t let his stealth fool you. He’s a hard-nosed player who fights for every ball too.

Before the season, VanVleet signed the biggest contract for an undrafted free agent in NBA history with a four-year, $85 million deal. Previously, Raptors fans wondered if he would leave in free agency.

But VanVleet made it known that Toronto was where he wanted to play. It’s where he helped deliver an NBA Championship in 2019.

“He’s got a pedigree for winning with every team he’s been on his whole life,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse gushed.

VanVleet, who had a tough upbringing in Rockford, Illinois, has such a quiet confidence and fighter’s spirit that it’s hard for him not to be admired by his teammates.

You could see that admiration in the locker room when his teammates mobbed him and gave him a water shower when he walked through the door.

While all the talk was of VanVleet after the game, and deservedly so, it should not go unnoticed that Kyle Lowry put up his 15th triple-double as a member of the Raptors.

The Raptors have won two in a row and are now 9-12. Suddenly, amid the gloom, there’s a flicker of light. They are nearing playoff contention.

It’s a far cry from the early part of the season when the Raptors started 1-6. They looked disinterested, blew leads and lacked emotion.

It’s not easy playing in Tampa instead of at home in Toronto because of the pandemic and border restrictions. Home games and road games feel the same.

VanVleet’s magical night was just that. Magic doesn’t happen every night. VanVleet’s previous best shooting performance came last year when he rattled in 36 points in a victory late in the season against Miami.

But then he cooled off. For the rest of the season and playoffs in 2020, VanVleet was able to hit the 30-point plateau only once again. This only goes to show that special nights don’t come along often, or they wouldn’t be special.

VanVleet might not have a 50-point night in him ever again. But maybe that’s not necessary.

VanVleet lit a spark. It would be a shame if the Raptors don’t catch that spark and do something with it.