Emotional Carter admits controversial Toronto exit as Raptors resign former star’s jersey

TORONTO (AP) — An emotional Vince Carter acknowledged his controversial departure from Toronto as his No. 15 jersey became the first number retired by the Raptors at halftime of Saturday’s game against Sacramento.

“It’s not just Carter 15 that rises, it’s all of us that rise,” Carter told fans before a banner with his name and number was raised to the rafters. “Memories, no matter how you look at it, will flash tonight. “I hope and pray we enjoy our jersey retiring together forever.”

Carter walked up to center court to begin the ceremony and gestured with his hands for cheers from the crowd before clenching his fists and bellowing, “Go!” before welcoming the answer.

Former Toronto teammates Tracy McGrady, Antonio Davis, Kevin Willis, Charles Oakley, Morris Peterson, Dee Brown, Jerome Williams, Alvin Williams and Muggsy Bogues joined Carter, his family and Raptors president Masai Ujiri on the court for the ceremony .

“He taught us how to fly,” Ujiri said as he introduced Carter to the cheering crowd.

Carter had to pause several times to contain his emotions or hold back tears during the pregame news conference. At one point, while talking about his family, a tearful Carter beckoned his young son Vincent Jr. to join him on the podium for a hug.

The only player in NBA history to play in four decades, Carter played the first six-plus of his record 22 seasons with the Raptors. He was the 1999 Rookie of the Year in his first season and an All-Star and Slam Dunk Champion in his second as Toronto made the playoffs for the first time.

After being eliminated in the first round by the Knicks in their first postseason, Carter and the Raptors returned to the playoffs the following spring and upset New York to win Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.

Before Saturday’s game, Carter looked back on the series win as one of the best memories of his time in Toronto.

“Coming through what (former Knicks coach) Jeff Van Gundy put me through with his defense, I was excited to be able to go against that defense again,” Carter said.

Carter is credited with influencing basketball across Canada, influencing a generation of future NBA players such as Tristan Thompson, former Raptors guard Cory Joseph and current Raptors forward Kelly Olynyk.

“The legacy is still growing,” Carter said. “This is the icing on the cake.”

Thompson was one of several players, including Stephen Curry and former Raptors Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, who recorded a congratulatory message to Carter in a video that was played before the on-court ceremony.

“I wouldn’t be here without you,” Thompson said.

Early in his time in Toronto, Carter earned the nickname “Air Canada” for his high-flying dunks. As injuries mounted and his performance declined, Carter faced criticism from fans for becoming less aggressive when he settled on jumping rather than driving and making contact.

In December 2004, Carter was traded to the Nets for Alonso Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and a pair of first-round draft picks. Mourning never played for Toronto.

For years, Raptors fans felt anger and animosity toward Carter after he pushed for a trade from Toronto.

Ten years after that trade, the relationship began to rebuild when Carter visited Toronto with the Memphis Grizzlies on November 19, 2014. The Raptors, who were celebrating their 20th anniversary that season, honored Carter with a video tribute during the first quarter. time-out.

Speaking at the halftime ceremony, Carter called it “a day I will never forget.”

Although some fans booed when the montage began that night, most of the sold-out crowd of 19,800 were soon on their feet and applauding. An emotional Carter raised his hands, tapped his heart and wiped tears from his eyes.

During the pregame press conference, Carter was overcome with emotion again as he remembered watching the video nearly a decade ago.

“It’s something special to see these landmarks in this building because that’s where it was built,” he said.

Carter retired in 2020 at the age of 43. Last month he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Earlier on Saturday Carter’s mural was unveiled in downtown Toronto. The Raptors opened their renovated Vince Carter Court at Toronto Park in September.

___

NBA AP: