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Toronto Raptors: The other 50-point games in Raptors history

By Avishai Sol

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Terrence Ross #31 of the Toronto Raptors prepares to pass in front of Matt Barnes #22 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 27, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Terrence Ross #31 of the Toronto Raptors prepares to pass in front of Matt Barnes #22 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 27, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Raptors franchise has not had the most star-studded cast of alumni.  As of now, there are zero Raptors in the Basketball Hall of Fame (unless you count Hakeem Olajuwon, and you shouldn’t count Hakeem Olajuwon), and seven All-Stars.

Yes, the team had some recent success, and they’re still a relatively young franchise in the grand scheme of things, but the moments where the Raptors have taken the league by storm are few and far between.

That’s why Fred VanVleet scoring 54 on Tuesday was so special for Toronto. Yeah, he broke the franchise record, but he was also on the front page of every single basketball publication for 24 hours after he completely decimated the Orlando Magic, becoming the talk of the NBA world.

As improbable as it sounds, VanVleet wasn’t the only Raptor to put up a 50-burger in a single game. Let’s look back on the great scoring nights Fred VanVleet eclipsed last Tuesday.

Fred VanVleet joined several other Toronto Raptors in the 50-point club

February 27th, 2000:  When we loved Vince Carter

9 Mar 2001: Vince Carter #15 of the Toronto Raptors Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr /Allsport
9 Mar 2001: Vince Carter #15 of the Toronto Raptors Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr /Allsport /

As a 23-year-old, Vince Carter drops 51 on Jason Kidd and the Phoenix Suns.

The best part about watching this game back was how a young Vince would attack the rim.  He had a fearlessness to go along with his smoothness back then. He also had the Jordan-esque ability to adjust in mid-air, switching hands or ducking arms or getting fouled.

Nowadays, 50-point games are a result of a player seeing red from three, but not here. Carter hit four of eight 3-point shots in this game, but he also went 13-13 from the free-throw line.  If that’s not old school basketball, I don’t know what is.

This was a pretty run-of-the-mill regular-season game, but it’s a nice little portrait of what Vince Carter was like at the peak of his powers. He had the gifts and the respect of his peers. Even with Toronto rarely winning in those days, this night showed everyone why they would be must-see TV every night.