NBA News: Vince Carter Likes The Idea Of The Nets Retiring His Jersey Number

Someone is returning while the other just bid his goodbyes.

Atlanta Hawks’ Vince Carter was met with a standing ovation as he played his last game against the team that he used to call his home last night. Though his team lost via 108-86 blowout, he cannot help but feel good about the send-off that the crowd has given him.

“It’s always great to receive a standing ovation coming into or checking out of the game. It’s always extra special when it’s a team I’ve played for before,” said Carter per Brian Lewis of the New York Post article. “To come back here — and some of the other stops I’ve played for — and receive a standing ovation one last time is great.”

Carter had eight points, three steals, and two assists in 14 minutes of play and a thunderous roar from the Brooklyn crowd is a great feeling for the former Net. During his stint with the team when it was still based in New Jersey, the 42-year old former slam dunk champion was the team’s third all-time leading scorer. He played with the New Jersey Nets for five years from 2004 to 2009.

I’ve had some great moments here and falling short a couple of times. But some of the guys I played with like Richard (Jefferson), Jason (Kidd) and Devin Harris I still talk to on a regular basis,” shared Carter, who will turn 43 on January 26. Jefferson is now working as a basketball analyst on TV, Kidd is now an assistant coach for Frank Vogel for the Los Angeles Lakers, and Devin Harris played last season for the Dallas Mavericks.

When asked about the possibility of his jersey being retired by the Nets, the only remnant of the 1998 NBA draft welcomed the idea of seeing his number 15 in the rafters. “Whenever it’s talked about, you’re like, ‘Hey, I’d never deny it,’” Carter revealed. “When you look up in the rafters here and see the group of people that’s up there if I one day get that opportunity or that honor I’m OK with going up there, be with guys who I looked up to like Doctor J and a great teammate like J-Kidd.”

His final game coincided with the return of Kyrie Irving to the Nets’ lineup after being sidelined by an injury. Irving finished the game with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 20 minutes.