Fansided

30 players who define each NBA franchise

By Adam McGee

Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Raptors 1998-05. Vince Carter. #15. player. 81. . SF/SG

Honorable Mentions: Chris Bosh, Antonio Davis, DeMar DeRozan

May 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) shoots the ball in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum against the Golden State Warriors. Golden State Warriors defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 101-84. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) shoots the ball in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum against the Golden State Warriors. Golden State Warriors defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 101-84. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

When you think of the passion that the Toronto fan base has shown towards the NBA, and specifically the Raptors, over the past few years, it doesn’t seem unfair to say that none of that would have been possible if Vince Carter hadn’t gone before them.

Although the way that he left the franchise still stings many Raptors fans to this day, Carter’s show-stopping basketball of the late 90s/early 00s introduced Toronto to the wider NBA audience, and upped Canadian interest to a whole new level.

“Vinsanity” took Toronto and the league by storm, as Carter’s incredible athleticism and eye-popping offensive game played a major role in him being selected as an All-Star in seven of his eight seasons as a Raptor.

Watching Vince Carter is like going to a movie. – Charles Oakley

Carter never had enough talent around him to truly achieve anything in the larger scheme of things as a Raptor though, still 23.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in Toronto is no mean feat. Carter is in the top five in Raptors history for all five of the major statistical areas.

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