NBA legend Magic Johnson couldn’t be any happier after seeing Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups make it to the Hall of Fame.
It has been reported on Wednesday that both Carter and Billups have been elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, though the official announcement isn’t set until Saturday. Despite that, however, Johnson is celebrating early as well and honored his fellow NBA icons.
Magic Johnson Shows Love for Vince Carter
While Carter failed to win an NBA title in his career, no one can deny the impact he has had in the game. More than just his gravity-defying dunks, he inspired a generation and made the sport a big thing in Canada where he was drafted.
Vinsanity was an eight-time All-Star during his time with the Raptors and then New Jersey Nets. He’s also the 1999 Rookie of the Year. Carter retired in 2020, finishing a spectacular career with 25,728 points, which is 21st all time in league history.
Carter is also an NBA Slam Dunk Champion, and was part of the Team USA gold-winning team in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
With such legendary career, Carter definitely deserves a Hall of Fame nod. Sure enough, Johnson agrees.
“Congratulations to Vince Carter, aka Vinsanity, for being elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame! Vince is one of the most unstoppable players that’s ever played the game, with dunks in a class of their own! I had to post a few so y’all could see for yourselves!” the Los Angeles Lakers great wrote on X (formerly Twitter) along with a highlight reel of Carter’s dunks.
Chauncey Billups Gets Ultimate Magic Johnson Praise
Of course Magic Johnson didn’t forget about Chauncey Billups. After his awesome message for Vince Carter, the famed point guard shared his respect and admiration for the now Portland Trail Blazers coach.
Johnson has one thing he won’t ever forget about Billups, but it’s not a really fond memory: the time Billups led the Detroit Pistons to 2004 NBA Championship over his Lakers.
“Chauncey Billups, congratulations on being elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame! I’m especially happy for you because of what you did for the state of Michigan, leading the Pistons to a NBA Championship in 2004 (even though you broke my heart by doing it against my Lakers)!” Johnson wrote along with a laughing emoji.
It’s hard to blame Johnson for reminding Billups of how much heartbreak he caused the Lakers. But hey, no one can refute the fact that he’s a Hall of Famer. Billups was a five-time All-Star and bagged the Finals MVP honors in 2004.
Carter and Billups will officially join Johnson in the basketball Hall of Fame when they are enshrined during the festivities on August 16 and 17. Sure enough, expect Magic to watch out for the momentous day.
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