Vince Carter Reveals How he Gave His All-Star Starting Spot to Michael Jordan to Avoid Being ‘Blackballed’ in the NBA
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No matter how great, every NBA player’s career eventually comes to an inevitable end. Michael Jordan may be evergreen, but by 2003, everyone knew that any time now, he will be saying his goodbyes to the league. So, as the Washington Wizards went from country to country, Jordan was greeted with standing ovations and incredible tributes. However, that year’s All-Star game seemed like the best way to honor the soon-to-be retiring star.
Unfortunately, there was one problem. Surprisingly, Jordan did not get the votes needed to be a starter to that All-Star Game. While it seemed like his departing moment will not be as great as imagined, Vince Carter came to the rescue. Although he is no hero, because he did not give MJ his spot without a nudge from the NBA.
How Michael Jordan landed up in the starting lineup through Vince Carter
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In an interview with Vince Carter, the 2003 NBA All-Star game was brought up. With that, he revealed his reasons behind giving Michael Jordan his starting spot. “The NBA kind of encouraged me like, ‘Hey! It’s probably a good idea that MJ starts in his last game, that was a no-brainer for me, but you go through all the protocols,” Carter started off.
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As usual, the All-Star weekend was as big as it could be. He further narrated, “I walk in, and I say, ‘MJ! It’s your last All-Star game and I think you’re going to start. He said, ‘No, you earned it’. I said,’ No, no, you don’t hear me. You’re going to start’. Because I didn’t want to get blackballed. I didn’t want the NBA and the world asking, ‘How’s he not starting his last game?’
However, Jordan was very adamant. So, Vince got dressed but still didn’t want to be the guy standing in between Jordan and his last All-Star Game. Carter explained, “I told MJ, ‘I am going to walk into the back of the locker room. You’re going to start, I am not going to be blackballed. I start walking at the back, they call him out, BOOM! He walks out, starting lineup, everything good.”
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Once again, MJ proved why he is the GOAT
Despite being offered the starter spot, the Chicago Bulls legend didn’t want it because it wasn’t his to take in the first place. Now, that’s the attitude that is rare to see in the league. But of course, he started the game and got the credit that he rightly deserved.
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He shared the court with other NBA greats like Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson. It seemed like the best way to pass on the torch to the next generation about to take over after him.
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