Vince Carter played what many figure will be his last game at the Air Canada Centre on Sunday, starting for the Sacramento Kings and receiving quite an ovation when he was introduced, and again when he checked out in the closing seconds.
Proper applause for the Vintroduction pic.twitter.com/84dC6CE7KI
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) December 17, 2017
After the game, Carter continued to be non-committal on whether he’ll play another NBA season, saying how he feels about it depends on the day. He did, however, open up about Toronto’s reported interest in him this summer and a potential return to the Raptors in the future:
Of course. I heard about it. It didn’t happen, I guess. It’s just one of those things, it’ll happen, for sure. Somehow, whether it’s one day or something, it’ll happen. It’s supposed to happen, I think. I can say that now. I’ve had a lot of people say it’s supposed to happen, so now I guess I have to believe.
Carter was also asked about the changing reception to him over the years, including the warm one Sunday:
It’s always a great feeling to come out and be in the starting lineup and hear that introduction here, Herbie, you know, it’s fun. It’s a great place to play. And for me, it’s just always great to hear that. It never gets old.
…
Nothing changes. Nothing changes. I still love being here, whether it’s 10, 12 years ago, or today. I still love being here. There’s nothing like it. I was telling the young guys when you come in, there’s nothing like it. I’ve been on two different sides of there’s nothing like it. But it’s still a place that’s near and dear to me. Everytime I walk in here, 10, 12 years ago or 10, 12 minutes ago, still see the same people, still greet the same people, see the old faces. There’s this old guy named Doug Smith I see all the time, I still speak to him, always great to see. Bill, the attendant who’s been in front of the locker room since I was a rookie. Still speak to everybody, still just, it’s a great feeling being here, nothing has changed. It’s just, at that time, I felt it was unfortunate people didn’t know that and didn’t understand that. Here now, it’s just a great feeling. Nothing has changed for me.
Here’s the video:
