VIDEO: Raptors fans give emotional Vince Carter a standing ovation
It took 10 years and a finally-relevant team, but it appears Toronto Raptors fans have gotten over their animosity towards Vince Carter.
During a break in first quarter action between the Raptors and Carter's Memphis Grizzlies at the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday, the man once known as Air Canada himself was honored with a video tribute as part of the Raptors' 20th anniversary celebrations.
And after years of being booed in the arena he helped make famous, Carter was surprisingly greeted with a touching ovation during the tribute that left the nine-time All-Star in tears.
Fans mostly went back to booing Carter every time he touched the ball once play resumed, but those couple of minutes spent celebrating and honoring the memories Carter provided them with won't soon be forgotten.
Carter made five All-Star Games and two All-NBA teams during his six-and-a-half year run in Toronto, amassing 9,420 points during that time. He also took home Rookie of the Year honors in 1999 and exploded into superstardom after his electrifying performance at the 2000 slam dunk contest.
His ugly fallout with Raptors management - and subsequent split from the team - was nearly as famous. Carter played the worst basketball of his career during his unhappy start to the 2004-05 season, before returning to All-Star production immediately upon his trade to the New Jersey Nets.
It didn't help that the Raptors were on the wrong end of one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history, either. In trading the disgruntled Carter, the Raptors received Alonzo Mourning - who never suited up for the team - little known Aaron Williams and Eric Williams, and two draft picks.
Nevertheless, for one night at least, Toronto fans chose to heal and remember the good times rather than dwell on the bad.