Considered the first superstar of the franchise and yet some voices against Vince Carter’s big moment with the Toronto Raptors. As most fans would know by now, the franchise will retire VC’s jersey no. 15 on November 2 this year. With this, he will become the first star in franchise history to have his jersey retired.

The 8x All-Star played nearly 7 seasons for the team during which he averaged 23.4 points per game. He is often credited for putting the team on the NBA map. Additionally, he earned 5 All-Star appearances during his time with the team. But then what is it that has caused some fans to claim another player deserved the honor first, while some believe Carter does not deserve this at all?

Why are some Raptors fans upset with Vince Carter’s jersey retirement?

There’s a lingering question among Raptors fans and even some in the organization—Should VC really be the first Raptor to have his jersey hanging from the rafters? Or should that honor belong to someone else, someone like Kyle Lowry?

Well, according to TSN’s Josh Lewenberg, certain “high-ranking members of the organization” believe Lowry, not Carter, should be the first Raptors legend to receive this prestigious honor. And it’s hard to argue with their logic. KLow, after all, was the heartbeat of the team for nearly a decade. He led the Raptors to their most successful stretch, culminating in that magical 2019 championship.

Six All-Star selections while in Toronto, countless clutch performances, and a leadership role that defined the franchise. Lowry is the guy many fans feel represents the soul of the Raptors. In fact, you don’t have to dig far to see how fans feel. “I’m still salty about it. Kyle should be the first one retired,” wrote one fan on Reddit. Voicing a sentiment shared by many. And it makes sense. While KLow’s stats might not jump off the page the way Vince Carter’s do (VC averaged 23.4 points per game compared to Kyle’s 17.5), the 6x All-Star’s loyalty and success with the team speak volumes.

He stuck with the Raptors for nine seasons, two more than Carter, and delivered what every Raptors fan dreamed of—a championship. But then, there’s a twist. Lowry is still playing, entering his 19th NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Traditionally, teams wait until a player retires before raising their jersey to the rafters. So, maybe it’s just a matter of timing?

The Raptors could’ve waited for Lowry to hang up his sneakers, sure, but according to Lewenberg, there were other reasons Vinsanity got the nod first. Vince Carter’s induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this season, coupled with the Raptors celebrating their 30th anniversary, made the timing “feel right.” The organization reportedly wanted something big to kick off the anniversary season. Plus, the Brooklyn Nets plan to honor VC this season as well. It seems the Raptors wanted to be the first to celebrate his legacy.

The core reason that some Raptors fans are no longer the fans of their franchise’s arguably first superstar?

The 8x All-Star’s journey with the Raptors is one that stirs up emotions for a lot of fans. And not all of them are good. As much as he’s celebrated as the franchise’s first superstar, some still can’t look past the way things ended with him. It’s a relationship that was once filled with highlight dunks and the thrill of putting Toronto on the NBA map. But as we know, not all stories have a happy ending.

Things started to go south during the latter half of Vince Carter’s time with the team. His body took a hit with injuries, and the controversies started piling up. Remember that 2001 Game 7 against the 76ers? It was one of the biggest games in the Raptors’ history at the time. And yet, VC decided to fly to North Carolina for his college graduation ceremony just hours before tip-off.

Then came the trade request — a moment that still stings for many. Carter’s very public demand put the Raptors in a tough spot. And in the end, they had to trade him to the New Jersey Nets for what most consider a weak return. The narrative cemented its place back then—Vince had quit on the team. From that point on, every time he stepped onto Toronto’s court in a different jersey, the boos followed. You could feel the bitterness in the air for more than a decade.

And sure, by 2014, things started to soften, but some fans are still holding onto the grudge. If you’ve ever scrolled through Raptors’ fan forums, you know how deep this goes. “F*ck Vince Carter. He gave up on the team and only regrets it because his career didn’t pan out like he planned…” one Reddit user wrote, echoing a sentiment of betrayal that still lingers for many.

But here’s the thing, not everyone feels that way. For plenty of fans, Carter’s impact is undeniable. Some even believe he should have his jersey retired before Kyle Lowry. “Kyle is going to be immortalized for different reasons. There is no Kyle Lowry in Toronto without Vince Carter!” replied one X user to a fan pushing for Lowry before Vinsanity. As much as some may dislike VC for leaving the franchise, the statement is not completely false.

So, where do you stand? Is Carter’s legacy still tainted, or should he be honored for what he brought to the franchise? It’s a debate that’s likely to continue, but one thing is clear — Vince Carter will always be a part of the Raptors’ story.