Inside The Nets

Jason Kidd glad of ex-Nets co-star Vince Carter's campaign to the '24 Hall of Fame: "He made my life easy"

VC is just one step closer to headlining this year's batch of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers.

Peter Sunjic

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It's only a matter of time before the Nets witness another major representation for the franchise in the sports pantheon as Vince Carter is now on his way to the Hall of Fame.

As he is now eligible to be inducted, Vinsanity stood up as one of the nominees for the Class of 2024, and the former New Jersey star is now one step closer to basketball immortality as he was recently named as one of the 15 finalists for the enshrinement in Springfield.

Being a finalist for the Hall of Fame, this shouldn't come as a surprise. VC was one of the most spectacular players to ever grace the hardwood with his legendary athleticism, clutch ability, and high-powered scoring level. A seven-time All-Star and the consensus greatest dunker of all time, he brought the audience to its feet and wowed them with his ferocious rim finishes on a daily basis.

JKidd is proud to become VC’s running mate in New Jersey

More than everybody else who perfectly understands the significance of Carter’s soon landing in the Hall of Fame, there is surely no better other than Jason Kidd himself.

Partnered for four seasons in New Jersey, both Kidd and Carter powered the Nets as a formidable Eastern Conference team in the mid-2000s. They also hammered themselves as one of the most spectacular one-two punch combos ever with their jaw-dropping alley-oop connections and perfect two-man game highlights.

“If we're talking about Vince, he's a great teammate [of mine]. As a point guard, he made my life easy,” Kidd reflected. “I will never forget the first time I got to play with him in Jersey. I threw a lob. I threw it over the backboard and into the stands, and that’s why he didn't catch it because of his jumping ability and his long reach.

“But no, his ability to make the game easy. He was a competitor. He wanted to win.”

A worthy honoring

As he managed to play with some other iconic players of the league, Kidd stands honored and blessed as he was able to share the court and serve as a co-star for Carter, who landed in New Jersey during the midseason of 2004-05 and proceeded to help the franchise gain significant postseason success and league-wide relevance.

And for the all-time point guard, seeing VC walk down his glorious path and become a Hall of Fame this year is a well-deserved recognition for what he brought and demonstrated towards the beauty of the game.

“He's one of the best basketball players and one of the best teammates I had the opportunity to play with not just with New Jersey but with Team USA,” Kidd added.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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