Toronto Raptors' Vince Carter makes franchise history, no. 15 jersey ...

Eight-time NBA champion and former Toronto Raptors star, Vince Carter will make franchise history tonight when he becomes the first Raptor to see his jersey retired at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, Carter’s no. 15 jersey will be hoisted in the Toronto arena, an honour that’s never been bestowed to any other Raptor player.

Despite his numerous contributions to the team, Carter’s departure from the Raptors in 2004, did not go over well for many fans in Toronto.

According to Raptors HQ, “it took a bit of time after he left for them to warm back up to him — he was relentlessly booed in his first return after leaving.”

Decades later, leading up to this weekend’s ceremony, Raptor fans took to social media to express their sentiments on the franchise’s decision to honour Carter over other former Raptors.

On the Toronto Raptors Facebook page, one commenter states:

“He is the greatest raptor ever. Yes he didn’t win a ring but he created a culture in Canada and the raptors would have ended up like the Vancouver Grizzlies if it wasn’t for Carter. Chris Bosh then Lowry and DeRozan carried the torch. Yes I was heartbroken when he left. But we can’t forget what Carter left us with he deserves to be the first jersey retired. Congratulations.”

Toronto Raptors Facebook page. Vince Carter signs next to a mural of himself.

While fans acknowledged Carter role in putting the Toronto Raptors on the map as a serious NBA team, many were not yet over his departure, despite his time spent in Toronto from 1998 to 2004.

“This makes me happy. He was integral as a Raptor, and creating a buzz for basketball within our city. He left a bad taste in us fans when he left, but we welcome this retirement with open arms,” said one commenter.

Another commenter said: “He made the team relevant and created a buzz in Toronto that’s lasted ever since. Once in a lifetime talent. Best dunker in NBA history. Created a legacy in only 5 years in Toronto. Well deserved. Lowry and Bosh next.”

Saturday’s ceremony for Carter has spurred conversation around who might be next of the former Raptor stars, with mentions of Chris Bosh, Damon Staudamire, Demar DeRozan, or Kyle Lowry for example.

Among the names listed, Carter stuck around longer than the rest, not only on the Raptors, but in the NBA league as well. Up until recently, he was the only player to ever play 22 seasons in the NBA. On Oct. 22, LeBron James tied this record, according to the NBA.

Former Raptor Demar DeRozan was also a strong contributor to the team. He played 675 games with the Raptors, setting the record for the most career games with the team.

However, the Raptors didn’t win the NBA finals until the season after DeRozan was traded off the team to the San Antonio Spurs in 2018.

One year later in 2019, the Raptors won their first and only NBA Final to date.

Vince Carter’s no. 15 jersey is the first to be retired of the Toronto Raptors. (Toronto Raptors Facebook page).

Fans are speculating that former Raptor, Chris Bosh will be next to receive this honour. Bosh surpasses Carter’s record in terms of the number NBA championships (Bosh 2, Carter 0) and all-star games (Bosh 11, Carter 8).

But when it comes to seasons played, (Bosh 13, Carter 22), play-offs played (Bosh 6, Carter 11), and more, Carter is the player that kept a consistently high number of points scored in games, not to mention his four decades played. Bosh may still have his day at Scotiabank Arena, but he just won’t be the first to be honoured.

According to Raptors HQ, there were murmurs that Kyle Lowry was a potential first pick for the event but the decision depended on whether Lowry retired from the NBA. Since Lowry hasn’t retired and Carter was just inducted to the Sports Hall of Fame, “it made more sense to retire Carter’s now and Lowry’s later.”

According to the NBA, Carter retired from the NBA in 2020 after playing 1,541 games for eight different teams over 22 seasons.

Four years into retirement, Carter having quite the fall season, as he sees his jersey retired this weekend and was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 13.

The Raptors celebrate 30 years this season, which the team says will be marked by various events throughout the coming year.

Carter’s jersey ceremony takes place during Saturday’s game when the Raptors tip off against the Sacramento Kings at 7:30p.m. ET at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.