In easily one of the most entertaining and highest-quality finals series in recent memory, the Toronto Raptors have won the 2019 NBA Championship, defeating an injury-hobbled Golden State Warriors 4 games to 2, marking the first time the title has left the United States.
[jwplayer k0ggbTY9]
The Raptors took down the Warriors in today’s Game 6, sealing a remarkable third road win for the series and securing the franchise’s first-ever NBA title.
The wild game had a raft of storylines running throughout – not least of which was a knee injury to Klay Thompson in the third quarter that put him out for the remainder of the game – but perhaps the biggest story of all is the unlikely rise of point guard Fred VanVleet, whose 12 fourth quarter points not only helped keep a rampant Golden State at bay, but also ensured he’ll never have to pay for a bag of Timbits in Canada ever again.
The undrafted bolter’s antics were so wild that Twitter practically exploded, having found and crowned its new King.
Fred VanVleet cannot miss.
Drake potentially thinks this was a game-winner pic.twitter.com/PZ6g3iL6Gv— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 14, 2019
Fred VanVleet has set a new NBA record for most 3-pointers made off the bench in an NBA Finals. The previous record of 15 was shared by Robert Horry and JR Smith.
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) June 14, 2019
I’m not sure what happened to Fred VanVleet’s basketball powers after his child was born but it needs to be a movie. Just stupid.
— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) June 14, 2019
Fred VanVleet a real one. No kool aid in his blood.
— Allonzo Trier (@ISO_ZO) June 14, 2019
Fred VanVleet, it must be repeated, was undrafted.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 14, 2019
Fred Vanvleet this off-season pic.twitter.com/kuYUZo35SX
— Boss (@MadduxPuskus) June 14, 2019
FRED VANVLEET OUTPLAYED STEPH CURRY IN A CHAMPIONSHIP CLINCHING GAME pic.twitter.com/lOH9xWAQ2R
— Cousin Steez (@AndrewDoxy) June 14, 2019
Fred VanVleet after winning the Finals for Toronto pic.twitter.com/lWqB4Ah6A1
— Brian Daboll worshipper (@garrett_thomas6) June 14, 2019
The number 23 will always be remembered in NBA history for Fred VanVleet pic.twitter.com/x9ulEUh3lg
— Alex Kurtz (@adkurtz7) June 14, 2019
Look who is listed as Fred VanVleet’s child on Wikipedia 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/qTJky7iCVJ
— Born Ready 2 Pod (@BornReady2Pod) June 14, 2019
I WILL TALK TO THE PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE ABOUT A STATUE OF FRED VANVLEET
— Raptors HQ (@RaptorsHQ) June 14, 2019
THAT’S FREDERICK EDMUND REGINALD ALGERNON ULYSSES CUCUMBER SANDWICH VAN VLEET SENIOR TO YOU, SIR
— Micah Peters (@micahpeters) June 14, 2019
Drake gonna rhyme “elite” and “VanVleet” in something I can feel it in my bones
— Angie Treasure (@snark_tank) June 14, 2019
The title win also caps off one of the most outlandish recruiting gambles in recent league memory, with Raptors officials essentially copping Kawhi Leonard on a one-year loan before he makes an expected move to a bigger market this coming off-season.
Canada’s so goddamned fired up right now that it’s got Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking in tongues (French, we know it’s French, that’s the joke here).
Et c’est comme ça qu’on fait dans le Nord. #RaptorsIn6ix #WeTheNorth
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 14, 2019
There’s a new King in the North, folks. And it’s the Toronto By-God Raptors.
Drake fixing to shout the entire country drinks tonight.
