Fred VanVleet had an all-time game on Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic. He just could not miss. He scored a career-high 54 points and set all sorts of records with his performance.
First, this was the most points scored by a Raptors player in franchise history. That’s nothing to sneeze at — greats like Vince Carter, Chris Bosh and Kawhi Leonard have come through Toronto at one point or another. That’s special. He also scored the most points ever by an undrafted NBA player, surpassing Moses Malone’s (!!!!) 53 points, according to The Athletics’ Shams Charania.
It was an incredible performance on all accounts. VanVleet was simply on fire.
Fred VanVleet ERUPTS for a career-high and @Raptors franchise record 54 POINTS, 11 THREES! 🔥
Undrafted players becoming franchise record holders. Where else? #OnlyHere pic.twitter.com/BsreotFP0R
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2021
So, yeah, it was a pretty special night. But the game wasn’t even the best part. We also found out that Kyle Lowry happens to be a world class hype man — especially when it comes to VanVleet.
Lowry gave an incredible speech in the locker room after the game, reminding people of VanVleet’s incredible journey to get to the point he is at now. It was such a touching moment.
Warning: There is some NSFW language in this video
Bet On Yourself
Open Gym: Moment presented by Bell@FredVanVleet | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/kqlCMVpjAB
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 3, 2021
“Yo, yo. Franchise record for points in a game. That man was undrafted. That man worked his a** off. That man come in here everyday and bust his a**. That’s what y’all talk about (expletive) hard work right there. He came undrafted. Really bettering himself. My little brother.”
That wasn’t it, though. In the post-game press conference Lowry was still hyping VanVleet up.
Kyle Lowry hyping up FVV after his 54-point game 😂
"FREEDYYYY!"
(via @Raptors) pic.twitter.com/6KZmdvOORC
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 3, 2021
HILARIOUS. Find you somebody in your life that will hype you up the same way Lowry is hyping up Fred VanVleet here. This is the greatest.
Even their former teammate DeMar DeRozan got in on the fun — though, it came at the expense of Lowry a bit.
Congrats to my brotha Freddy V! Kyle old ass couldn’t do it. Glad you did champ! Been telling you!
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) February 3, 2021
That’s pretty dope, man. Shoutout to Fred VanVleet. All of this love is deserved.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL89E_SzPNzLqXug9ytQ_TRLxehRIDfI52