Vince Carter will always love Toronto and he will defend the city any chance he gets.
The former Toronto Raptor went on the defence on the latest episode of his podcast, The VC Show with Vince Carter, criticizing comments made by Fox Sports host Chris Broussard, who trashed Toronto as a possible trade city for Brooklyn Nets player Kevin Durant.
On his show First Things First, Broussard didn’t think Durant would want to go to Toronto.
“Great city. But it’s not America and you feel it when you’re there, I’m telling you, especially as an African American,” said Broussard. “It’s a different situation than African Americans are used to being in. And I’ve talked to people in that organization pre (Masai) Ujiri about, can they keep African-American superstars there? Tracy McGrady left. Vince Carter left. Chris Bosh left.
“I don’t think KD will be happy there and that will be a problem.”
Broussard’s comments were met with much criticism, and that includes Carter, who thought the television host’s opinions were outdated.
Carter admitted that while he’s had his “ups and downs” with Toronto, he said the city “is not an awkward city for an African American,” stating it’s “far-fetched and it kinda bothered me because I spent six years there and seeing it grow to what it is now.
“When you go there now, you don’t feel like, ‘I’m in some foreign country and I don’t know how to function,'” said Carter. “Everywhere you go feels just like being in the States.”
Carter — who began his NBA career in Toronto and played six seasons with the Raptors — said his former team did face challenges at one point but has overcome them.
He said people didn’t know much about the city and it was tough “trying to get guys there.” He noted he and then teammate Tracy McGrady “took advantage of the opportunities we finally got” and “finally got on that national stage.”
“…We made a splash because if you’re doing your thing, they’re going to find you,” Carter said, noting many players “re-upped” their careers with the Raptors and that “Toronto was one of the best-kept secrets.”
“It’s just disappointing to hear that,” he said of Broussard’s comments.
Carter went on to discuss the fan support and pride they have with the Raptors, which was evident after Toronto won the NBA championship in 2019. He said the Raptors are Canada’s team and after the title win, “Every Canadian is now like, ‘my team, we won’ because they represent their country.”
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