When thinking about the Toronto Raptors franchise, Vince Carter is a name that comes to mind.
While Toronto is still a relatively young organization, there are still plenty of great players who have worn a Raptors jersey.
One of the most iconic moments was Carter and Tracy McGrady teaming up. Those two formed a truly dynamic scoring and athletic frontcourt.
But then there is the likes of Chris Bosh, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. All this boils down to whose legacy deserves a statue outside of Scotiabank Arena.
Former Raptors champion Norman Powell was asked about which legend deserves a statue first and his answer was Carter, via Sportsnet:
“The first Raptor should be Vince Carter. Without Vince Carter, we wouldn’t be what the Raptors are today. Kyle would be next.”
Powell further explains his choice over Lowry, who poured his heart and soul into the city of Toronto:
“No disrespect, but I just think what Vince Carter meant to the city and to the game of basketball in Toronto starting off, you know, kind of put it on the map and making everybody take notice. You gotta respect that. He was the first one that laid the path for everything to go on today.”
It is certainly a hard choice as those two players are truly iconic and embody what it means to be a Raptor. Powell himself cemented his legacy by being a key contributor to the first championship in franchise history.
While Lowry is currently a Philadelphia 76er, he is in the final years of his career. When he decides to hang it up, those talks about a potential statue may pick up.
Powell makes a compelling case for Carter as he was the first true star the Raptors produced. Toronto’s first season in the NBA was in 1995-96 and Carter came in 1998, putting the Raptors on the map.
Vince Carter wants to be remembered for his time in Toronto
While Carter’s time as a Raptor did not end as hoped, he still left plenty of memorable years with the team.
Now years removed from his playing career, he wants to be remembered for his time in Toronto.
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