Raptors 20th Anniversary

[gametime]

Ahh interesting. I'd love to be able to order shirts/hoodies or something with that logo. Its slick, minimal and modern which is how I like it.

These are really slick.

Much appreciated. Link's updated. Enjoy guys!

[e_wheazhy_]

He's wearing 25 in Dallas and has been for several seasons. A #25 Carter jersey could actually be a bigger seller, as people who already own #15 jerseys would be inclined to have both.

Yeah, I considered that from a marketing perspective too. And they can spin it with the whole "this is a different Vince, not the cry baby but the leader "Vince 2.5" or "Vince +10"

[mcHAPPY]

We kind of have to wonder why Carter even agreed to be part of that 30 minute documentary. Was he paid? Does he genuinely want to repair his reputation amongst Toronto fans? Is he setting the stage for a return?

We've talked about MLSE's motivation, but seems like Carter is on board too.

Good questions.

Like I said in previous post, this would be my opinion:

Why does Vince do this? LEGACY. Toronto is the only franchise that will really remember him - for whatever reasons, good or bad. New Jersey? Not after moving to Brooklyn. Orlando? Not after the team became worse with him and he played just 2 seasons averaging 15.5 points per game. Phoenix? Nope. Dallas? Negative.

[Joey]

**For the record, I did not and refuse to watch that SportsNet special on Wince**

How about the Open Gym Special they had as well? That one was a good watch. Less in-your-face about it all. Still pretty blatant though.

[Joey]

It'd be nice but would it be the same? I'd still want Amir wearing the 15, he shouldn't have to change his number for Carter, he's earned the place on our team. Then again, VC is not the same here without his iconic number 15

He's wearing 25 in Dallas and has been for several seasons. A #25 Carter jersey could actually be a bigger seller, as people who already own #15 jerseys would be inclined to have both.

[e_wheazhy_]

I might be inclined to agree. Even to the extent that he may give a hometown discount. It's not so much which team will remember him but how he is going to be remembered by all (which may have been what you were trying to say). VC in an actual VC era retro jersey next year? I think that's an instant big seller. Let everyone remember him as a high flying raptor and not the post VC era he was on the other teams. That helps the Raps and that helps him. Seems a bit too win-win not to happen.

It'd be nice but would it be the same? I'd still want Amir wearing the 15, he shouldn't have to change his number for Carter, he's earned the place on our team. Then again, VC is not the same here without his iconic number 15

[Nilanka]

We kind of have to wonder why Carter even agreed to be part of that 30 minute documentary. Was he paid? Does he genuinely want to repair his reputation amongst Toronto fans? Is he setting the stage for a return?

We've talked about MLSE's motivation, but seems like Carter is on board too.

[Jclaw]

A year ago I would have said, "No! No! No way! No Wince EVERRRRR!"

However, I think MLSE is invading my mind subliminally. **For the record, I did not and refuse to watch that SportsNet special on Wince**


There are a lot of benefits to bringing back Carter - the least of which, and probably most important of which if that makes any sense, is it appears he is still capable of contributing. Would you rather have Salmons or VC in that veteran guard role off the bench?


Outside the court, here are some benefits:

1) Closure. VC was the highlight/lowlight of the first 20 years of this franchise. Nice to have things come full circle as the Raptors forget the first 20 years as a league door mat.
2) What better person to come out and say the reason he wanted out of Toronto than basketball reasons? Help re-examine those anti-Canada views from US basketball media and American players (not all - but definitely still there).
3) Who better to help lure free agents? Most star players pushing their late 20's (ie. UFA) grew up idolizing Carter.
4) Who better to help convince free agents how big you can be playing in Canada? Carter was HUGE at his peak Raptor prime.... and not just in Canada.



Why does Vince do this? LEGACY. Toronto is the only franchise that will really remember him - for whatever reasons, good or bad. New Jersey? Not after moving to Brooklyn. Orlando? Not after the team became worse with him and he played just 2 seasons averaging 15.5 points per game. Phoenix? Nope. Dallas? Negative.



I think it is going to happen. However, I also thought Nash would love to retire a Raptor - lol.

I might be inclined to agree. Even to the extent that he may give a hometown discount. It's not so much which team will remember him but how he is going to be remembered by all (which may have been what you were trying to say). VC in an actual VC era retro jersey next year? I think that's an instant big seller. Let everyone remember him as a high flying raptor and not the post VC era he was on the other teams. That helps the Raps and that helps him. Seems a bit too win-win not to happen.

[wallz]

Retro Rebrand fun

Those guys are creepy

[mcHAPPY]

Oh please. It is brainwashing. I agree that VC is great in his role, but MLSE is trying to change our opinion about VC, it's so clear. They're using few techniques which include peer group pressure and rejection of old values. ( both techniques used in school learning plans too. )

I agree with you on this emotions stuff, but franchise will not sign ex player if many fans hate him. Especially when we're talking about franchise which trying to change culture. In my opinion, Raps executives want VC to retire as a Raptor.. nothing more. If their interviews and throwback stuff about VC works for them.... then many fans will be happy to see VC in raptors uniform without public apology. ( yup yup, I would love to hear public apology from Mr. Carter )

A year ago I would have said, "No! No! No way! No Wince EVERRRRR!"

However, I think MLSE is invading my mind subliminally. **For the record, I did not and refuse to watch that SportsNet special on Wince**


There are a lot of benefits to bringing back Carter - the least of which, and probably most important of which if that makes any sense, is it appears he is still capable of contributing. Would you rather have Salmons or VC in that veteran guard role off the bench?


Outside the court, here are some benefits:

1) Closure. VC was the highlight/lowlight of the first 20 years of this franchise. Nice to have things come full circle as the Raptors forget the first 20 years as a league door mat.
2) What better person to come out and say the reason he wanted out of Toronto than basketball reasons? Help re-examine those anti-Canada views from US basketball media and American players (not all - but definitely still there).
3) Who better to help lure free agents? Most star players pushing their late 20's (ie. UFA) grew up idolizing Carter.
4) Who better to help convince free agents how big you can be playing in Canada? Carter was HUGE at his peak Raptor prime.... and not just in Canada.



Why does Vince do this? LEGACY. Toronto is the only franchise that will really remember him - for whatever reasons, good or bad. New Jersey? Not after moving to Brooklyn. Orlando? Not after the team became worse with him and he played just 2 seasons averaging 15.5 points per game. Phoenix? Nope. Dallas? Negative.



I think it is going to happen. However, I also thought Nash would love to retire a Raptor - lol.

[gametime]

Retro Rebrand fun

[Jclaw]

Can't help but find some irony in this. A big fault people have with out whole identity is that the Raptors we named after a trendy dinosaur fad based on a movie released over 20 years ago. So, for our 20th anniversary season...

....coming soon in 2015

[stooley]

Oh please. It is brainwashing. I agree that VC is great in his role, but MLSE is trying to change our opinion about VC, it's so clear. They're using few techniques which include peer group pressure and rejection of old values. ( both techniques used in school learning plans too. )

Fair points.

But also, just backlashing against Vince because of public perception, or refusing to change your opinion because of who's pushing it, isn't open minded.

It can be brainwashing, or it can be coming to an informed decision. It's up to each of us to combine all the facts that we know and form individual opinions.

[rocwell]

Aie yaie yaie.

It's not brain washing. He's actually great in his role, and he's matured now. Gotta leave emotions out of team decisions.

Oh please. It is brainwashing. I agree that VC is great in his role, but MLSE is trying to change our opinion about VC, it's so clear. They're using few techniques which include peer group pressure and rejection of old values. ( both techniques used in school learning plans too. )

I agree with you on this emotions stuff, but franchise will not sign ex player if many fans hate him. Especially when we're talking about franchise which trying to change culture. In my opinion, Raps executives want VC to retire as a Raptor.. nothing more. If their interviews and throwback stuff about VC works for them.... then many fans will be happy to see VC in raptors uniform without public apology. ( yup yup, I would love to hear public apology from Mr. Carter )

[stooley]

heh, MLSE's brainwashing techniques is working apparently..

Aie yaie yaie.

It's not brain washing. He's actually great in his role, and he's matured now. Gotta leave emotions out of team decisions.