Vince Carter quickly began to live up to the high expectations placed on him, becoming an NBA All-Star for the first time in his sophomore year.
Previous number. Memorably, the No. 5 pick’s meteoric rise put him in an embarrassing position in 2003, when he was selected to the All-Star Game starting lineup ahead of Michael Jordan.
That particular All-Star Game took place during Jordan’s second and final farewell season.
Many called for Carter to give up the starting job in honor of Jordan — even though the Toronto Raptors star received 200,000 more votes than Jordan.
Members of the media felt it was “the right thing to do,” especially considering the 6-foot-6 shooting guard missed most of the first part of the 2002-03 season due to injury.
Initially, VC seemed reluctant to allow Jordan to replace him on the Eastern Conference All-Star roster and was maligned for his position.
But he eventually changed his mind and, ironically, even had to convince Jordan to take his place.
But during an appearance on All The Smoke in 2020, Carter recalled how serious the situation was, with even the NBA getting involved.
“The league and the establishment are encouraging this as a good idea,” he said.
“It’s probably a good idea for Jordan to start his last All-Star game. I’m not a fool, you know what I’m saying?
“I’m not a fool. First of all, we all respect Jordan, he’s a hero.
“Brue, that’s a memory that no one else can talk about. That can’t be replicated. Brue, I have a story – a story I could tell forever.
“No one can say that.”
The former NBA star added: “This is MJ’s last year, man. Aren’t you starting? I have a chance to do it again. This is your time, MJ.”
However, Carter also recalled telling Jordan that he “didn’t want to be kicked out of the league” because the six-time NBA champion insisted that VC was “worthy” of starting.
The Florida native said he accepted the offer after Carter said he wouldn’t play otherwise.
Jordan started with Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Jermaine O’Neal Ben Wallace.
The Western team, led by Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Steve Francis and Yao Ming, ultimately defeated the Eastern team 155-145.