Vince Carter gets ’emotional’ during Nets’ jersey retirement ceremony

The depth of emotion visible on Vince Carter’s face was evident right from the start, during a news conference before his jersey retirement ceremony. The emotion was palpable as he talked about his time with the Nets, particularly mentioning former teammate Jason Kidd and coach Lawrence Frank.

Throughout the night at Barclays Center, where Carter became the seventh player in Nets history to have his number retired, emotions ran high.

He spoke fondly of Julius Erving, his mentor and idol, and basked in the chants of “VC” from the fans in attendance.

During his news conference, Carter jokingly remarked, “I’m so darn emotional these days, it pisses me off.”

As a player, Carter always admired the history represented by jerseys hanging in arenas. When he arrived in New Jersey, he saw the numbers of legends like Erving and Charles “Buck” Williams, aspiring to join them one day.

On the night of his jersey retirement, memories flooded back for Carter, reflecting on the relationships and moments that defined his time with the Nets. Tears flowed as he acknowledged the support of his family, including his children.

Looking ahead, Carter mused about the possibility of his son, Vince, wearing his retired number for the Nets in the future.

During his time with the Nets, Carter made a lasting impact, earning multiple All-Star appearances and leaving a mark on the franchise’s history with his scoring prowess.

Despite playing for several teams after leaving the Nets, Carter’s legacy remained strong. He found a new perspective in his later years, prioritizing his love for the game and his knowledge of it over individual achievements.

As his jersey rose to the rafters of Barclays Center, Carter waved at the crowd and his family, finally seeing his number find its place among the other Nets legends he had long admired.