Because of the Olympic Games, the Hall Of Fame ceremony had been postponed by a few weeks, and it was Sunday evening that Vince CarterChauncey Billups and Doug Collins have officially joined the basketball Pantheon. Headlining this vintage, the former winner of the Slam Dunk Contest was keen to highlight the Raptors, where he became an NBA star, before beginning a long career of 22 seasons as a “globetrotter”.
“Thank you for giving me this opportunity for six years, and that’s where it all started. I had some memorable moments with this franchise that created Vinsanity. “That’s why, without a doubt, I’m going into the Hall Of Fame as a Raptor.” A great tribute to a franchise that will retire its jersey in a few days, and he thanked Kyle Lowry for playing a big role in the reconciliation with the Raptors.
“To my friend Kyle Lowry… Not only are you one of my golf partners, but you did an incredible thing for me when the Raptors won the title” remembers Vince Carter. “Kyle was ready to do an interview, and he stood in front of me and said, 'Come sit down and do the interview with me.' I modestly declined, but that shows the kind of person he is, and I was really grateful for the opportunity. Obviously, being a part of the Raptors history and franchise, he felt inclined to ask me and want me to be a part of it. Thanks, Kyle, for that.”
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The Raptors and Vince Carter are also a family affair since his cousin, Tracy McGrady, joined Toronto a year before him. “T-Mac” was also on stage, alongside him, for this induction speech.
“Ever since we found out we were cousins, and I'm sure you've heard this story before, I've had nothing but support, a shoulder to lean on, and it made sense. The day we found out we were cousins, I got this phone call from my grandmother, and he said, 'Cuz, I'm going to make sure the Raptors draft you. I'll take care of it'. Today, here we are and I thank you.”
After paying tribute to his grandparents, Vince Carter finally addressed all the other inductees of the day. Like him, Chauncey Billups and the others enter a closed circle, and their status will change forever.
“The one thing I am proud to say is first and foremost to congratulate everyone who is here. I was very inspired by everything you had to say and do. Guess what, y’all? From now on, we will no longer say your first and last name without adding 'Hall of Famer' in front of it. he concludes.
