Vince Carter?s Grand Gesture Allowed Michael Jordan to Get the NBA Farewell He Deserved in 2003: ?I?m Not Walking on This Court Tonight If..?

NBA all-time great Michael Jordan is one of the most influential players in the history of the league. It was a pure joy to witness the superstar weave his magic on the court. His athleticism coupled with finesse was unstoppable. With his brilliance on the court, he helped popularize the game of basketball worldwide. He also inspired some of the best basketball superstars of the future. In the late 1990s and to 2000s, almost every NBA star grew up watching Jordan. One such star was NBA legend, Vince Carter.

Carter is a huge fan of MJ and followed his path in more than one way. Like Jordan, Carter played above the rim and he played for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels as well. Like MJ, Carter also won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. After playing college basketball for three years, he declared for the NBA draft. In 1998, the Golden State Warriors selected him as the 5th overall pick and traded him to the Toronto Raptors.

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He hit the ground running and won the Rookie of the Year award and was a highlight reel. In the same year, Jordan won his sixth and final championship with the Chicago Bulls and announced his retirement for the second time.

Vince Carter wanted to give Michael Jordan a proper farewell

Michael Jordan became a part owner and president of basketball operations for the?Washington Wizards in 2000. However, in 2001, Jordan shocked the world again as he announced another comeback to play for the Wizards. Despite his age, he led the team in points and assists. Also, he was in the running for the MVP award but finished 19th in the voting. He made the All-Star team as well. However, he struggled with injuries which hampered the chances of a playoff spot.

MJ then played his final season in the NBA in 2002-03. He made the All-Star team but he did not get a starting spot. Vince Carter was not ready to let the legend retire without starting his final all-star game. So he gave him his starting spot. “To me, that was the right thing to do,” Carter said.

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But Jordan refused to take Carter’s spot because he had earned it. “I said, ‘Mike, look here, I’m not walking on this court tonight and start on this court and you sitting on the bench.’,” Carter added.

So the Chicago Bulls legend accepted the young superstar’s offer and started his final All-Star game ever. At the time, he was just a few days shy of hitting 40 years. The six-time champion has played in the All-Star game every year except his rookie year. So it was the only right way to end his illustrious career.