Toronto FC: Players reimagined as Toronto Raptors

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kyle Lowry #7 Kawhi Leonard #2 Fred VanVleet #23 Malcolm Miller #13 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors pose for a portrait with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after winning Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jonathan Osorio – Fred VanVleet

As many a Torontonian knows, the man they call “Steady Freddy” certainly was steady during the Raptors’ first two series and the first couple games of the Eastern Conference Finals, steadily awful that is.

That all changed after VanVleet welcomed his newborn son into the world before Game 4 of the Milwaukee series. Freddy dropped 13 points off the bench and never looked back, hitting critical shot after critical shot to help the Raptors win their first NBA title. VanVleet’s epic performances in the Finals were reminiscent of Jonathan Osorio’s Golden Boot-winning campaign during Toronto FC’s 2018 CONCACAF Champions League run.

From his backheel flick against Tigres to his goal at Estadio Azteca, Osorio registered a goal against each of TFC’s four opponents on their run to the finals. Also, both VanVleet and Osorio took the road less travelled to success. VanVleet went undrafted out of Wichita State, while Osorio rose up through the academy ranks. While they both can get lost in the wash at times, they are bonafide, big-stage performers and we love every minute of it.

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