Vince Carter will make history this November, as he becomes the first player in Toronto Raptors history to have his jersey retired by the franchise. It is a big honor, but according to Josh Lewenberg, some within the Raptors feel that honor should have been extended to Kyle Lowry, who served the franchise for nine years.
This news doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. Many consider Kyle Lowry to be the greatest Raptor of all time. Lowry was with the franchise from 2012 to 2021 and helped usher in a new era for the franchise alongside his friend and then-teammate DeMar DeRozan.
The duo brought the Raptors to prominence in the Eastern Conference, making them one of the top contenders. However, it wasn’t until the exit of DeRozan and the subsequent arrival of Kawhi Leonard that the franchise would secure their first NBA championship in history.
While Leonard was the star of the show, there is no denying how important Lowry was in the Raptors’ championship run in 2019. He was the leader of the team, and helped rally the troops often, along with keeping things running smoothly as the point guard and ball distributor of the squad.
Lowry would leave the Raptors in 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade to the Miami Heat, as the franchise was moving in the direction of a rebuild. Fans understood that Lowry had just a few more years left at the top level, and wanted to maximize it after giving his all to the Raptors over his near-decade stint.
Lowry And Carter Are Two Raptors Icons
This issue will certainly cause some debate among NBA fans. While Carter was the first Raptors superstar, many believe Lowry was the best in franchise history.
And people will argue about which one of the two players deserves the honor more than the other. Regardless of who you believe earned the first jersey in the rafters, there is no denying that both players are pivotal to the Raptors franchise.
Many can argue that Carter put the Raptors on the map in the NBA, as he helped turn what was a middling expansion team into a regular playoff contender within less than 10 years, which rarely ever happened in the NBA during that time.
While his acrimonious exit may have soured fans, Carter is unavoidable when telling the story of the Raptors.
As for Lowry, we spoke above about why he is beloved by many fans, and as it appears, several members of the organization.
His unwavering commitment to the franchise through thick and thin made him a fan favorite, and his loyalty and commitment to the program were rewarded when he got to win an NBA championship with the team that he rose to prominence with.
Lowry will no doubt get his day in the spotlight with the Raptors. But for now, Carter is the one that will be remembered as the first – not just the first Raptors’ superstar, but the first Raptor with his jersey in the rafters.
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