“I let Michael Jordan start in the 2003 All-star game”: When Vince Carter admitted that the NBA encouraged him to let the Bulls legend get his final moments with his fans

Vince Carter speaks on his greatest exchange with Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan and why he cherishes it

 

During his time in the league, and especially right up until the end of his prime, Vince Carter was simply inspirational.

He was always a very good slasher. However, to the player’s credit, he didn’t simply rely on that skill but also improved his abilities as a shooter. But no way that was his greatest asset.

Nope, they were unequivocally his hops. Hoooo boy, if they could be taught, everybody better have been learning it. Alas, those hops were simply a God-given ability. And he used it to perfection.

During his prime especially, Carter was infamous for being the greatest Christian in the league, and his methods were so simple too. If you wished to be baptized, all you needed to do was jump.

And so, because of all this and more, Vince Carter was essentially a superstar in the NBA from the get-go. But, in 2003, the man didn’t even start in the 2003 All-Star game.

Why, you ask? Well, let’s get into it.

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Vince Carter willingly let up his All-Star starting spot to Michael Jordan in the 2003 NBA All-Star game

While most Michael Jordan stans won’t want to remember the man’s journey outside of Chicago, at the end of the day it happened. And frankly, it wasn’t nearly as bad as many in the NBA community make it out to be.

That aside though, His Airness was selected for the 2003 All-Star game, in what was his final season in the NBA. However, he just didn’t get enough votes to get a starting spot.

Many on the team, including Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady, offered up their starting spots to MJ, but he simply declined, saying that they had earned their starting spot. Then Carter stepped in, and well, we’ll let him explain what happened. Take a look at the clip in the tweet below.

The player also later revealed that their All-Star head coach, Isiah Thomas, had asked him to consider giving up his spot before he did it. But, he was also clear on the fact that it was his decision, and he was more than happy to do it.

At the end of the day, Vince Carter can say ‘I voluntarily gave up my starting spot to Michael Jordan’. And frankly, we don’t think there could be a greater flex in NBA history.

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