Vince Carter's No. 15 jersey was retired by the Brooklyn Nets during an unforgettable ceremony at the Barclays Center, marking not just his significant impact on the franchise but also celebrating his illustrious career.
The event was filled with nostalgia and heartfelt tributes, featuring emotional speeches and amused reflections. Among those who spoke, the legendary Julius "Dr. J" Erving provided one of the evening's most impactful moments, honoring Carter for his contributions both on and off the court.
While the night aimed to celebrate Carter, it was not without its lighthearted drama. Shaquille O'Neal, the towering NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst, felt particularly left out of the proceedings. Despite his stature as one of basketball's all-time greats, he wasn’t shy about voicing his disappointment the following day during a TNT segment reflecting on the jersey retirement ceremony.
On the show, O'Neal humorously made his grievances known. "That's twice you did this. You ain't even invite me, bro," he said, referencing not only Carter's recent jersey retirement but also the one held for him during his time with the Toronto Raptors, which took place back in November 2024. Neither included O'Neal on the guest list, and he was quick to point it out.
Initially, Carter appeared taken aback, trying to clarify, "You were busy," referring to O'Neal's work commitments during the Raptors ceremony. Nonetheless, Shaq pushed back comedically, "You didn't invite me," leaning heavily on the humor to express his faux hurt.
Further adding to Shaq's jesting frustration was the presence of Dr. J at the Nets ceremony. He expressed mock despair, saying, "Damn," as he removed his glasses, delivering his lines with such theatrics one could hardly contain laughter.
To drive home his point, Shaquille O'Neal reminded Carter, "How many times have you called me to get the code to my gyms so you could shoot?" With Carter momentarily thrown off, Shaq continued his playful banter, quipping, "None," implying the lack of communication between him and Carter after years of friendship and basketball rivalry.
Perhaps adding to the hilarity was the fact it was actually Carter's cousin, Tracy McGrady, who frequented Shaq's gym, leading to what felt like friendly banter mixed with genuine sentiments of missed friendship among giants.
Things lightened up during the closing moments of the segment, as Candace Parker wished Carter, "Happy belated birthday," only for him to sheepishly admit, "I completely forgot my own birthday." This led to Shaq seizing the opportunity to make the moment even more comical by insisting on giving Carter a proper birthday hug.
The attempt for affection between the towering Shaquille O'Neal and the nimble Vince Carter morphed rapidly from sincere to humorous as they interacted—leading to what can only be described as some awkward yet jovial moments, highlighting the camaraderie rooted deeply within the basketball community.
At the end of it all, O'Neal's theatrics were much more about wanting to be included than any real grievance. The night truly belonged to Vince Carter, whose legacy continues to resonate within the sport long after his retirement from the game.