Sean Woodley here, the host of the daily Locked On Raptors podcast, with your daily Locked On Raptors newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Raptors and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
With Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors, it was all about the dunks.
Nov 2, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Former Toronto Raptors player Vince Carter delivers a speech during his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images|John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
As nuanced as the relationship between Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors has been over 25-plus years, it really does boil down to the dunks.
Carter could do it all, of course. A deadly three-point shooter a decade ahead of the curve; owner of as deep a mid-range bag as any 80s or 90s superstar. VC was a scorer’s scorer. But it’s the graceful thunder; the windmills and 360s and other assorted aerial affronts to the laws of physics and time that spawned Vinsanity.
Dunks make us feel. The absence of dunks makes us feel bad. The Carter-Toronto dynamic, told in 12 words.
“I was that guy that wanted to fly around arenas and dunk on people,” the Raptors legend said before he had his number 15 retired to the rafters on Saturday night. “Which is why people fell in love, which is why I understand why people were sad and had their feelings.”
Tongue-in-cheek or not, Carter’s “I don’t wanna dunk anymore” practice scrum in November 2004 was the piece of the divorce that stung the most, or at least it was for the yam-obsessed then 11-year-old now writing this newsletter.
Watching Half Man, Half Amazing become Half Man, Half Trying during the waning weeks of his time in Toronto might stand as the single lowest point in 30 years of Raptors ball. I wasn’t mad about getting the Williamses back in the trade so much as I was despondent that the Cool Dunks Guy wasn’t on my team anymore.
Time heels, and so do dunk montages. In the ramp up to Saturday’s beautifully executed, hatchet-burying ceremony for Carter, the much welcomed inundation from Vince slam reels overloaded all those nerve endings that went numb the day he became a Net, and slowly but surely regained feeling over the last 20 years.
***
The impact of Carter’s many impacts with buckets was all over Saturday’s game. You might even call the night’s script kinda hacky if it came from a writer’s room desk.
RJ Barrett, one of the stars of the golden generation of Canadian hoopers VC helped usher in, going toe-to-toe down the stretch with DeMar DeRozan, a fellow former Face of the Franchise, while childhood Vince-head Chris Boucher has his best game in years? A little on the nose, wouldn’t you say?
Most of the Raptors were somewhere between diapers and kindergarten when Carter last called Toronto home, but his iron-hammering has clearly bridged eras.
In the mid-second quarter, Ochai Agbaji threw down a bounding two-handed transition slam, probably the most Carter-evoking play of the night. I asked him if it held significance to have the loudest dunk on the night devoted to honouring the franchise’s loudest dunker.
“It is a badge, I shoulda done the celebration with it too,” he said, miming the classic Carter motorcycle rev that Boucher himself busted out during the game.
Dunking, no matter the context, is badge-worthy, of course. A big rim rock is the most joy-sparking split-second in sports; in most cases way more enduring than the result of the game it takes place in. It’s the feat fandom is built on.
We loved VC because he dunked. And for a while there we hated him because he stopped.
But the best thing about dunks is they can’t get un-dunked. Once a ball gets flushed, it stays flushed for good. The sight, the sound, the poster — it’s with us forever. And now, rightfully, so is Vince Carter.
—
On Today’s show Vivek Jacob joins me to discuss the incredible Carter ceremony, takeaways from another wildly entertaining weekend of Raptors hoops, and more! Enjoy the show.
Reflections from Vince Carter’s jersey retirement night
The Toronto Raptors retired Vince Carter’s jersey on Saturday night. The ceremony came during half time of the Raptors-Kings game, where an emotional Carter and his family watched a banner with his number and the iconic photo of him mid-between-the-legs-dunk rise up to the rafters in the arena it all started in for him. That moment marked a culmination. Of a career, of a person’s trepidatious relationship with a city and its fan base, of a distinct era of NBA basketball and identity of a franchise, but also of a month’s worth of moments for Carter.
The Raptors made the announcement at a community basketball court dedication to Carter in late September, where franchise president Masai Ujiri thanked Carter for all he did to inspire the game in Canada and put the Raptors franchise on the map. “Time heals things,” Ujiri told the crowd before he confirmed Carter would be the first player in team history to have their number retired. Carter was overcome and fought back tears as he thanked the crowd, Ujiri and the city.
The tributes continued. Carter had an airplane dedicated to him by one of the country’s major airlines, Air Canada, in a nod to his nickname of the same. A mural was unveiled in downtown Toronto, and it was announced Carter would join as a broadcaster to provide coverage for select games this season — also the Raptors 30th anniversary season.
Given the host of accolades and recognition, I found it telling when Carter sat down in front of assembled media prior to Saturday night’s game for a pre-ceremony presser, and said he wasn’t sure what to expect of the night but encouraged everyone to “live in the moment”. I asked him, in light of every tribute and celebration thus far, how he was doing that or if his perception of the moment changed. He laughed. “I’m fighting,” he admitted.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury
Jamal Murray is ruled out for the Denver Nuggets in their upcoming game against the Toronto Raptors, potentially impacting their performance significantly. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury
Toronto Raptors may face the Denver Nuggets withoutImmanuel Quickley, who is listed as doubtful due to an injury concern. (Sports Illustrated)
Biz
The NBA intentionally scheduled no games on U.S. Election Day (E! News)
What happens to Damian Lillard if Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves the Bucks? (CBS)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Paul George’s Return Is A Huge Fantasy Basketball Boost
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Brett Davis-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to delve into the latest injury updates and player performances that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With only three games on Sunday, the anticipation builds for an action-packed 15-game day. Let’s explore the key developments and what they mean for your fantasy lineup.
Injury Updates: Key Players to Watch
Zach LaVine’s shoulder issues continue to be a concern, leaving his status questionable. This ongoing problem could affect his availability, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert’s ankle sprain opens opportunities for Naz Reid and Luka Garza, especially in deeper leagues. With Aaron Nesmith out and Andrew Nembhard questionable, Ben Mathurin and Jarace Walker are set to see increased roles, potentially stepping into starting positions or gaining extra minutes.
Lauri Markkanen’s return from back spasms is imminent, which is great news for fantasy managers. In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s absence isn’t surprising, but Paul George’s expected return is a significant development. Despite being listed as questionable, reports suggest George is ready to play, albeit with a possible minutes restriction. This isn’t a long-term injury, so expect him to be back in full swing soon.
Player Performances: Who’s Stepping Up?
The Detroit Pistons secured a road win against the Brooklyn Nets, showcasing improved play compared to last season. Jalen Duren stood out with a solid performance, contributing 13 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. His increased minutes were partly due to Isaiah Stewart fouling out, but it’s a positive sign for Duren’s fantasy value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Raptors podcasts.
Friday — Toxic Positivity Friday! Mogbo’s stealth ROY path, IQ’s impending return & LeBrono: Good Actually? Sean goes solo for the second edition of Toxic Positivity Friday, where we put up the blinders to all the bad in Raptors basketball and focus only on the good. Jonathan Mogbo’s hot start, Immanuel Quickley’s impending return & some reflections on LeBron James’ relationship with the Raptors all included!
Thursday — Raptors fall to Hornets 138-133; Gradey Dick drops a career-high 30 Sean goes solo to break down the Raptors’ wildly entertaining loss to Charlotte on Wednesday night where the Raptors began life without Scottie Barnes in pretty encouraging fashion all things considered.
Wednesday — Scottie Barnes hurt, Ochai Agbaji’s option picked up & the Raptors reVIBEtalization Sean is joined by Locked On national newsletter editor Katie Heindl to chat about what Scottie Barnes’ injury means for the Raptors, Ochai Agbaji getting his 4th-year option picked up amid a ton of early season growth, and the overall improvement of the tone and tenor around this year’s team.
