Amid Vince Carter’s emotional moment, LeBron James lavishes praise on the legend. The 47-year-old former hooper has had a year to remember. Firstly, he was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Probably the highest honor for a basketball player ever. Weeks later, he became the first player in the Toronto Raptors’ franchise history to have their jersey retired. Following Carter’s tear-filled speech at the ceremony, King James made it wholesome with his tribute and a special flashback.

The superstar took to his X handle and wrote, “CONGRATULATIONS VINSANITY!!!! @mrvincecarter15. DOPE!! IMMORTALIZED IN THE 6!!!” It’s really a commendable feat to have one’s jersey retired. Vince Carter seemed to have realized it well himself, as he delivered a 30-minute-long emotional speech before the management raised the jersey to the rafters.

Vince Carter entered the Raptors’ fold in 1999 and played more than six seasons before the team traded him to the New Jersey Nets mid-way through the 2004-05 season. Nevertheless, during that period, Carter, donning the #15 jersey, has consistently averaged around 20 ppg and showcased his athletic brilliance. Not to forget the impressive dunks that Carter produced day in and day out.

Of course, emotions surged through Carter’s speech, as he received the long-awaited honor. Speaking at the event, Carter said, “I’m not experiencing this by myself. I’m experiencing this with family, friends, strangers. I know it’s my day, but you’ve heard me say it a couple of times, and I’m gonna keep saying it, you’re gonna hear it again tonight: This is our day,” as he wiped his tears off.

It surely must have been a special moment for the loyal Raptors fans, who had witnessed Vince Carter’s magic from the past. And LeBron James also had his fan-boy moment, recalling the legend’s special moments in the Toronto side’s jersey.

LeBron James instantly walked down the memory lane for Vince Carter

This season, more than ever before, pundits and fans highly associate LeBron James with Vince Carter. It had happened in the past because of their insane similarities in athleticism and dunking abilities. However, it’s a bit different this season. This season, the 39-year-old King James has equaled Carter’s record for most NBA seasons ever played by an individual (22).

So, that’s why there is no better person than LBJ to speak about the legend’s latest honor in Canada. Last night, the Lakers took on the Raptors in Scotiabank Arena and clinched a comfortable 131-125 win. Following the game, the reporters swarmed the superstar and flooded in the questions. A reporter, keeping the jersey retirement ceremony in mind, asked Bron to list down his favorite moment of Carter in the Raptors jersey. Without giving it a second thought, he went on to list his favorites, as if he had already prepared for it.

Speaking of his favorites, LeBron James started his list with Vince Carter’s 50-point post-season game against Allen Iverson’s Sixers in 2001. He continued, “The rookie windmill, two-handed windmill versus Indiana on Chris Mullins, went around Chris Mullins when Rik Smits trapped the box. The lob in the preseason down at University of North Carolina, we got that windmill. There’s just too many to name, obviously. Obviously, the dunk contest when he shut down the dunk contests and gave it his over signal.”

This is clear evidence that LeBron James didn’t see Vince Carter as competition, but respected him for the player he was. Notably, JJ Redick and Co. stayed back the extra night in Toronto to witness the Raptors do something for the first time in their history!

Let us know your favorite Vince Carter moment in the comments below.