Toronto Raptors: Top 4 moments from unusually unlucky 2020-21 season

1. Fred VanVleet breaks the franchise record for points in a game

VanVleet broke the Raptors record for points in a game, previously 52 by Demar DeRozan, against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 2. With 11 threes made in the game, he was one away from breaking the Raptors record for most threes made in a game, as Donyell Marshall’s 12 still stands.

Vanvleet signed a new 4-year, $85 million contract before the season started. If he continues to have games like this in the future, $85 million will look like a bargain. In the locker room after the game, the team showered Vanvleet with water bottles.

Fred VanVleet couldn’t miss against the Magic.

Postgame, Lowry summed up the game and VanVleet as a player. “That man was undrafted, that man worked his ass off, that man comes in here every day and bust his ass,” Lowry said. “That’s what you talk about hard work right there. He came from undrafted, really bet on himself.”

VanVleet is likely going to take on an even bigger role on the offensive end next season, but everything that we have seen from him so far should give Raptors fans comfort with regards to his ability to step into Lowry’s shoes. VanVleet bet on himself, and he will go down in history as a result.