Magic Johnson honored Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups for headlining the 2024 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class.
On Wednesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that both Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups will be elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, with the two highlighting the 2024 class of inductees. The two are well-deserving of the honor — and Magic Johnson certainly agrees.
“Chauncey Billups, congratulations on being elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame! I’m especially happy for you because of what you did for the state of Michigan, leading the Pistons to a NBA Championship in 2004 (even though you broke my heart by doing it against my Lakers)! 😂 @1MrBigShot,” Johnson added.
Vince Carter: Half Man, Half Amazing
Today’s generation of NBA fans remember Vince Carter as the mostly ground-bound, 3-and-D wing who played supporting roles in mid-tier playoff teams of the early to mid-2010s such as the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies. Carter also ended his career on a rather uninspiring note with stints with the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks.
But in his heyday, there might not have been a player who drew more eyeballs to the television than Carter did. Back in the prime years of his career with the Toronto Raptors, Carter was good for multiple jaw-dropping dunks per game, as it was simply unfathomable how much more athletic he was than 99 percent of his peers.
Vinsanity fever swept the nation when he blossomed into a superstar with the Raptors, although he soured his reputation among fans with the controversial way he received his trade demand when he was sent to the New Jersey Nets. It took a while before Carter repaired his public perception, especially among Raptors fans.
In the end, Carter is a very deserving Hall of Fame inductee. He finished his career with 25,728 points, which has him ranked 24th on the all-time leaderboards. He was a seven-time All-Star and he made the All-NBA Second Team and Third Team one time each.
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