If there is such a thing as a Guinness World Record for loudest continuous booing at a sporting event, Wednesday night’s game between the Grizzlies and Raptors at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto will almost certainly test that mark, as the #1 Most-Hated Raptor in Toronto Raptors history is set to have a video tribute pumped through the arena’s Jumbotron. That’s right, Vince Carter is returning — his lone visit this year — to the city where he spent the first six seasons (and change) of his NBA career, and, because the Raptors are celebrating their 20-year anniversary this season, they plan to honor Vinsanity before the game. Now, we know it’s been ten years since Carter’s ignominious exit from Toronto, but somebody in the marketing department has to be aware of the contempt Raptors fans hold for him, right?
But he also missed the biggest shot in franchise history (against Philadelphia in the seventh game of the second round of the playoffs), had issues with management, stopped playing his hardest during the end of his days as a Raptor, asked for – and then rescinded – a trade, which resulted in the worst deal in Raptors history, just shy of a decade ago (Dec. 17, 2004).
Carter averaged 15.9 points a game in his final 20 games in Toronto, then 27.5 a night in that season’s final 57 games with New Jersey. He went on to win three NBA player of the month awards with the Nets, something he never managed as a Raptor and has never apologized for his role in the breakdown of his Toronto tenure.
Actually, that’s being kind. Here’s what Bill Simmons wrote after Carter skipped town (an open letter to Toronto, from Vince):
Here’s the deal. As I admitted a few weeks ago, I stopped trying in Toronto. Looking back, a number of things were at fault. First, the $94 million contract the Raptors gave me after my 2001 playoff duel with Allen Iverson. NBA contracts are, of course, guaranteed, so no matter how poorly I played, my huge check was going to arrive every two weeks. I mean, what would you do?
I stopped driving to the basket because, frankly, I didn’t like getting knocked down. Once I started settling for jumpers I became easier to defend than Tommy Heinsohn in an old-timers’ game, and players and coaches started to whisper that I was soft, that I was the biggest baby in the league. But, I swear, I suffered a bunch of nagging injuries, not to mention various allergies (to defense and rebounding). Within three years, we were back in the lottery. And everyone blamed me.
Did I let it all get to me? Absolutely. Plus, I hated the freezing weather in Canada and going through customs and calculating the exchange rate. I wanted to play in a big market where everyone wasn’t talking about hockey all the time. When I asked for a trade, the team said no, but they’d forgotten that I’m good at weaseling out of deals — Puma had me locked up once, until I jumped to Nike. I knew what I had to do, but it was tricky. It’s hard to tank a season without killing your trade value. In November the coaches benched me in Portland, and then we came back and nearly won. Well, that looked bad, like they didn’t need me. When we played the Clips three nights later, I drained my first five jumpers to show everyone I still had it. Then I went back on cruise control.
Within a few weeks my little ploy had worked: the Raptors panicked and dumped me for Alonzo, two guys named Williams, two picks and a kidney to be named later. Really? That’s all I’m worth? Now I had something to prove. Sure, I had to remember how to attack the rim and how to sweat, but it didn’t take long for everyone to start comparing me to Kobe and T-Mac again. When the fans voted me an All-Star starter, for once I wasn’t embarrassed. I haven’t felt this good in eons. Of course, you could argue I have fresh legs … you know, since I haven’t used them in four years. But at least I’m relevant again.
Even new Raptors star DeMar Derozan says the tribute is probably ill-timed:
“I think it would be better once he’s done, because you still get the boos, you still get the mixed emotions when he comes here playing with another team,” DeRozan said.
“It would be best when he’s done. When it’s all said and done, everyone can realize everything that he’s done for the city. It should be fun, it’s always fun when he’s here.”
Don’t hold your breath, DeMar. Raptors fans really hate Vince Carter.
