Raptors should announce retiring Vince Carter's jersey soon

[rapstarter]

Vince says he's going into the HOF in a raps jersey.

That's his choice and it makes the most sense for him. He's largely remembered for being a Raptor, but if he wanted to go in with a Nets jersey I wouldn't give two ****.

The Nuggets aren't going to retire Melo's jersey for similar reasons, but Vince left the Raptors in a substantially worse fashion. I forgive him and I'm happy that he looks back at his time here fondly and maybe with some regret at how he ended things, but I'm never going to forget the way he set this franchise back years.

Lowry is the only surefire player to get his jersey retired. And I'm also a strong supporter of having DeMar's jersey retired. As for the two most talented Raptors to ever don the uniform, Vince and Kawhi, it's a strong no in my opinion.

Melo and the Nuggets isn't the best comparison, it's more like Shaq and the Magic. Two superstars (VC, Shaq) who landed on expansion franchises and put those franchises on the map only to have a messy departure which pissed off the fans at the time.

If the Magic can move on to retire Shaq's jersey, the Raps can do so for Vince. At least the Raptors have actually won a ring since Vince left unlike the Magic post-Shaq.

I think it's actually much closer to Melo than Shaq. What helped Shaq's case tremendously are 1) they made the Finals with him which is still the furthest Magic ever got, and 2) he ended up being a top 10 player of all time. Sure, the Nuggets weren't an expansion team when Melo joined, but they had only been relevant as a laughingstock for more than a decade when they drafted him. Either way, I don't think anyone who demands a trade out of the team/city deserves a jersey retirement regardless of whose fault it is.

[Reeko]

That's his choice and it makes the most sense for him. He's largely remembered for being a Raptor, but if he wanted to go in with a Nets jersey I wouldn't give two ****.

The Nuggets aren't going to retire Melo's jersey for similar reasons, but Vince left the Raptors in a substantially worse fashion. I forgive him and I'm happy that he looks back at his time here fondly and maybe with some regret at how he ended things, but I'm never going to forget the way he set this franchise back years.

Lowry is the only surefire player to get his jersey retired. And I'm also a strong supporter of having DeMar's jersey retired. As for the two most talented Raptors to ever don the uniform, Vince and Kawhi, it's a strong no in my opinion.

Melo and the Nuggets isn't the best comparison, it's more like Shaq and the Magic. Two superstars (VC, Shaq) who landed on expansion franchises and put those franchises on the map only to have a messy departure which pissed off the fans at the time.

If the Magic can move on to retire Shaq's jersey, the Raps can do so for Vince. At least the Raptors have actually won a ring since Vince left unlike the Magic post-Shaq.

I think it's actually much closer to Melo than Shaq. What helped Shaq's case tremendously are 1) they made the Finals with him which is still the furthest Magic ever got, and 2) he ended up being a top 10 player of all time. Sure, the Nuggets weren't an expansion team when Melo joined, but they had only been relevant as a laughingstock for more than a decade when they drafted him. Either way, I don't think anyone who demands a trade out of the team/city deserves a jersey retirement regardless of whose fault it is.

Not only that, but Shaq left in free agency he didn't demand a trade. And from a legacy perspective Melo and Vince are much closer than either one of them and Shaq.

[deck]

I'm surprised how many people would retire Kawhi's jersey. I'm eternally grateful for 2019, but to be in consideration you have to want to be here, at least for some period of time. I feel like if we retired Kawhi's jersey, he wouldn't even want to be here for the ceremony.

[rapstarter]

I'm surprised how many people would retire Kawhi's jersey. I'm eternally grateful for 2019, but to be in consideration you have to want to be here, at least for some period of time. I feel like if we retired Kawhi's jersey, he wouldn't even want to be here for the ceremony.

In an ideal world, it wouldn't even be a conversation, but Toronto, as an ever-underachieving sports town, might become so desperate to celebrate something that we'll end up giving it to him. Would I be opposed to it if, in 2040, it's still the only championship this city celebrated this century and Kawhi ended his career as a top 50 player of all time? Probably not.

[CazOnReal]

Vince led the Raptors to the playoffs twice, and made it to the 2nd round once. He never made 1st team all NBA, never led the franchise to 50 wins, was injured a lot in his last 3 years here, and left very unprofessionally.

And even for that 2nd round exit, there was controversy in him attending a graduation ceremony that, ultimately, messed with his routine. It's why he played so badly in that Game 7.

[Risk101]

I'll say this Vince was like a super hero to kids growing up. He put Canada on the map as far as must watch t.v. No problem with Vince in the rafters.


Lowry on the other hand single handedly started a BS campaign about having a statue outside of the ACC. If that happens go back to calling us the Barney's. What an absolute joke of an idea.

[ForeverTFC]

I'll say this Vince was like a super hero to kids growing up. He put Canada on the map as far as must watch t.v. No problem with Vince in the rafters.


Lowry on the other hand single handedly started a BS campaign about having a statue outside of the ACC. If that happens go back to calling us the Barney's. What an absolute joke of an idea.

I'd be curious how old folks were when Vince came up and subsequently forced his way out and how that influences the vote. I find it hard to believe anyone who grew up with Vince during their childhood/early teenage years doesn't have a soft spot for him still.

[C_Money]

I'll say this Vince was like a super hero to kids growing up. He put Canada on the map as far as must watch t.v. No problem with Vince in the rafters.


Lowry on the other hand single handedly started a BS campaign about having a statue outside of the ACC. If that happens go back to calling us the Barney's. What an absolute joke of an idea.

There’s like 15 Leafs players with a statue outside the arena. I don’t see whats wrong with adding some Raptors. They won a title.

[D.Brasco]

Melo and the Nuggets isn't the best comparison, it's more like Shaq and the Magic. Two superstars (VC, Shaq) who landed on expansion franchises and put those franchises on the map only to have a messy departure which pissed off the fans at the time.

If the Magic can move on to retire Shaq's jersey, the Raps can do so for Vince. At least the Raptors have actually won a ring since Vince left unlike the Magic post-Shaq.

I think it's actually much closer to Melo than Shaq. What helped Shaq's case tremendously are 1) they made the Finals with him which is still the furthest Magic ever got, and 2) he ended up being a top 10 player of all time. Sure, the Nuggets weren't an expansion team when Melo joined, but they had only been relevant as a laughingstock for more than a decade when they drafted him. Either way, I don't think anyone who demands a trade out of the team/city deserves a jersey retirement regardless of whose fault it is.

Not only that, but Shaq left in free agency he didn't demand a trade. And from a legacy perspective Melo and Vince are much closer than either one of them and Shaq.

Yeah Shaq left in free agency but in about the ugliest way possible, he referred to playing in Orlando as "feeling like a big fish in a dried-up pond". VC to my knowledge never insulted Toronto the city in any similar way.

My main point is at one time it did seem like the Magic/Orlando would never make amends with Shaq and if that can be done, Vince making good with the Raptors certainly can. Lastly, to the Melo comparison I don't think he ever impacted and was embraced by Denver the way VC was in Toronto and Canada.

[Risk101]

I'll say this Vince was like a super hero to kids growing up. He put Canada on the map as far as must watch t.v. No problem with Vince in the rafters.


Lowry on the other hand single handedly started a BS campaign about having a statue outside of the ACC. If that happens go back to calling us the Barney's. What an absolute joke of an idea.

There’s like 15 Leafs players with a statue outside the arena. I don’t see whats wrong with adding some Raptors. They won a title.

I'm not going to comment on leafs players who I know nothing about. But for a losing franchise who hasn't done anything in decades says a lot about having 15 players with statues.

I know about Lowry and he's a bonafide loser who stinked during playoff run after playoff run. He also almost cost us the playoffs the season we won it multiple times. He is not someones who embodies receiving s statue. That should only go to the greats. Give it to Kawhi not Lowry.

[Reeko]

I'll say this Vince was like a super hero to kids growing up. He put Canada on the map as far as must watch t.v. No problem with Vince in the rafters.


Lowry on the other hand single handedly started a BS campaign about having a statue outside of the ACC. If that happens go back to calling us the Barney's. What an absolute joke of an idea.

I'd be curious how old folks were when Vince came up and subsequently forced his way out and how that influences the vote. I find it hard to believe anyone who grew up with Vince during their childhood/early teenage years doesn't have a soft spot for him still.

I was 10 when we drafted him, 13 when he led us to the semis against Philly, and 16 when he demanded a trade. I am probably a Raptors fan today because of him. With all that being said, it's still a NO for me on the jersey retirement.

[ontnut]

Said it before, will say it again: NO Raptors should have retired jerseys.

My levels are like this:
Jersey retirement
Individual statue
Group statue like the Leafs have
Plaque in the hall of very good/Ring of honour

IF there's one player to get retired, it's Lowry, but he should get an individual statue not a jersey retirement.
Carter, Derozan, maybe get an individual statue.
Siakam, Fred can get be in the group statue or a nice plaque in the hall of very good, or in the ring of honour.
I'm on the fence with Kawhi, but he gets at least ring of honour, maybe group statue.
Bosh maxes out as ring of honour with Damon.
I don't think anyone else is really in consideration at this point.

[SFour]

Said it before, will say it again: NO Raptors should have retired jerseys.

My levels are like this:
Jersey retirement
Individual statue
Group statue like the Leafs have
Plaque in the hall of very good/Ring of honour

IF there's one player to get retired, it's Lowry, but he should get an individual statue not a jersey retirement.
Carter, Derozan, maybe get an individual statue.
Siakam, Fred can get be in the group statue or a nice plaque in the hall of very good, or in the ring of honour.
I'm on the fence with Kawhi, but he gets at least ring of honour, maybe group statue.
Bosh maxes out as ring of honour with Damon.
I don't think anyone else is really in consideration at this point.

I feel like individual statue is a bigger honour than jersey retirement.....not sure why Demar would get one. When I think of statues I think of all-time great players.

[raptorforlife88]

I'll say this Vince was like a super hero to kids growing up. He put Canada on the map as far as must watch t.v. No problem with Vince in the rafters.


Lowry on the other hand single handedly started a BS campaign about having a statue outside of the ACC. If that happens go back to calling us the Barney's. What an absolute joke of an idea.

There’s like 15 Leafs players with a statue outside the arena. I don’t see whats wrong with adding some Raptors. They won a title.

I'm not going to comment on leafs players who I know nothing about. But for a losing franchise who hasn't done anything in decades says a lot about having 15 players with statues.

I know about Lowry and he's a bonafide loser who stinked during playoff run after playoff run. He also almost cost us the playoffs the season we won it multiple times. He is not someones who embodies receiving s statue. That should only go to the greats. Give it to Kawhi not Lowry.

Cannot imagine ever being this wrong. Amazing. Last time I checked he put up 26 and 10 in the finals winning game.

Also Lowry aside from one horrible series against Washington was fine in the playoffs. He was our best player the first time we went to the conference finals, and miles better than Derozan was that year. And the next two years as well. He wasn't as good as he was in the regular season those years, but the same went from every other player on those teams and he did more to win the series we did win those years than the rest.

[refshateRaps]

Hard NO

Vince was a next level, electric talent and anyone who witnessed him play live can say we've seen nothing like him since.

But when Vince quit on this franchise, he quit on the damn franchise. And the fans. We owe him nothing more.

Vince should never have his jersey retired here for that reason.

When one partner decides to walk out on a marriage, does that mean they've quit on the kids?

I know this statement is hyperbolic and there's more nuance in this situation, but saying Vince quitting on the Raptors as a franchise is the same as him quitting on the fans is a bit much IMO. He should have handled it way better, but the guy just came off a season playing under Kevin freaking O'Neill and they followed that **** up with hiring Babcock and Smitch. Why wouldn't he want out?

Carter did so much for this city and the franchise. The guy was making investments in the city and opening businesses at a time when Toronto was not cool in NBA circles. He re-signed when everyone else to that point had walked. I think a lot of this is forgotten by a sub-set of our fanbase.

Continue to suck on his nuts, the loyal fanbase never forgets. Vince was a never was, he was an entertainer that quit when he didn't get what he wanted like all of them spoiled babies. MLSE and Tanenbaum surely agrees on the fanbase that this quitter will never get his number retired for the way he left the franchise hanging with his absurd demands, him and his momma's damn parking space.

Exactly. We owe him nothing more then the mutual partnership and support he had when he came into the league. End of the day he turned his back and quit on the franchise in grand fashion and never looked back to reach back to Toronto at any point.

So why should we? Because we have such a short and somewhat scarred history? Some seem happy to play the abused spouse and welcome him back with arms open just to retire a jersey.

We now have enough players who came after Vince to celebrate, even Kawai is more deserving for atleast giving his all before bolting. Lowry for sure and although Demar shouldn't have his jersey retired but is far more deserving of high honour here and this franchise owes him for his dedication especially post Carter and somewhat Bosh.

Vince and us fans have our memories both good and bad. Leave it at that and move on.

[refshateRaps]

I'm surprised how many people would retire Kawhi's jersey. I'm eternally grateful for 2019, but to be in consideration you have to want to be here, at least for some period of time. I feel like if we retired Kawhi's jersey, he wouldn't even want to be here for the ceremony.

Lowry - Retire jersey for dedication to the franchise, hard work, skills, and the leadership in the Championship year.

Kawai - Statue of the shot




Demar - Standing O anytime he comes back for dedication and hard work







Bosh - No thanks
Carter - No thanks

[Fairview4Life]

Amir's jersey.

[lobosloboslobos]

I have been firmly in the F Vince camp since I lived through his bs way back when.

But seeing this thread I was surprised to find myself actually agreeing with it. A lot of water has passed under the bridge. We won a championship. Vince's playing days are long over. Is it worth hanging on to all that anger and resentment when the reality is that before he quit on us he was also by far the best thing that ever happened to us? To this day, Vince's peak was one of the most thrilling sports experiences I've ever known, especially for a player on my own team. It would be nice to be able to fully celebrate that without having to regret what happened after. I see no harm in doing that after all these years.

I've forgiven a lot of people a lot of stuff during the course of my life. Why not Vince?

Plus he was a legit Raptors NBA hero, and we don't have a lot of those in our history. Why not claim him back?

I'm down for it. Let's do it when he goes in the HoF. I'll have to fight down a bit of puke but what the hell, Vince also gave me a ton of joy. That matters more to me at this point.

[TheGeneral99]

I'll say this Vince was like a super hero to kids growing up. He put Canada on the map as far as must watch t.v. No problem with Vince in the rafters.


Lowry on the other hand single handedly started a BS campaign about having a statue outside of the ACC. If that happens go back to calling us the Barney's. What an absolute joke of an idea.

Don't even put Vince and Kyle in same sentence.

Kyle was an absolute bull dog who poured his heart out every night and impacted the game in ways that Vince wishes he could despite being way smaller and less athletic.

[TheGeneral99]

I have been firmly in the F Vince camp since I lived through his bs way back when.

But seeing this thread I was surprised to find myself actually agreeing with it. A lot of water has passed under the bridge. We won a championship. Vince's playing days are long over. Is it worth hanging on to all that anger and resentment when the reality is that before he quit on us he was also by far the best thing that ever happened to us? To this day, Vince's peak was one of the most thrilling sports experiences I've ever known, especially for a player on my own team. It would be nice to be able to fully celebrate that without having to regret what happened after. I see no harm in doing that after all these years.

I've forgiven a lot of people a lot of stuff during the course of my life. Why not Vince?

Plus he was a legit Raptors NBA hero, and we don't have a lot of those in our history. Why not claim him back?

I'm down for it. Let's do it when he goes in the HoF. I'll have to fight down a bit of puke but what the hell, Vince also gave me a ton of joy. That matters more to me at this point.

Meh...I think Vince is respected...he gets standing ovations when he returns to Toronto and greeted warmly. The fans got over his unprofessionalism and horrible exit. However, I still don't think he deserves his jersey retired...he just didn't having a winning impact here with the exception of the 2000 and 2001 seasons and his exit was one of the most unprofessional ones in NBA history.

Lowry and Demar easily deserve their jerseys retired. You can make an argument for Kawhi for what he did, but it was only for a year.