The Boston Celtics are a world-class organization. Everyone knows that.
That’s why, when Celtics president and general manager Danny Ainge presented Atlanta Hawks forward Vince Carter — playing in what’s the last season of an impressive NBA career — with a plaque and picture memorializing his first career points, there was no surprise on anyone’s part about the thoughtful gesture.
On Sunday morning, Carter would take to Twitter to thank Ainge, Celtics art director and strategist Leanda Helms and the Celtics fans for their warm reception on Friday night in a game that would be Vinsanity’s last time playing against Boston in their arena. The Hawks have no more games slated against the Celtics after playing them three times this season, with the first matchup also taking place in TD Garden (on January 3).
The significance of the plaque extends past honoring Carter, as the first points of his career actually came against Boston. That game would take place on February 5, 1999, as the Toronto Raptors — the team who acquired Carter in a draft day trade with the Golden State Warriors — took on the Celtics at TD Garden.
Carter would finish his NBA debut with 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals on 5-11 shooting from the field, in a 103-92 win for Toronto. In those days, the Celtics were led by Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker and Kenny Anderson.
Though Carter couldn’t notch a win in his las game against Boston, Atlanta played well, with the Celtics not having secured a win until the final possession. Carter finished the game with 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block while shooting 3-7 from the field.
Not bad for a 43-year-old who made his NBA debut before Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum (whom Carter gave his jersey to following the game) was even born.
