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The NBA regular season starts this month, and with it the first season of NBA basketball not featuring Vince Carter in 22 years. I thought it would be a good time to take a look at his illustrious and historical career, and remind ourselves of his legacy.
@mrvincecarter15
@mrvincecarter15
Carter was drafted 5th overall by the Warriors in the 1998 NBA draft. He was traded to the Raptors for his college teammate and friend Antawn Jamison. The Raptors were a young franchise without much success, but this electric prospect would put them on the map for years to come.
Vince would blossom in Toronto, winning the Rookie of the Year award averaging 18.3 points and earning the nickname Air Canada. His potential would seem limitless, rising to superstardom in only his second season and leading his team to the playoffs for the first time.
In the eyes of many fans, his performance in the 2000 NBA dunk contest was the GOAT dunkers magnum opus, and the pinnacle of what a dunk contest can be, though Le Dunk de la Mort from that summers olympics is a close contender.
Dispute his generational talent in that aspect of the game, Vince was far from a one dimensional player, becoming a perennial all star and all NBA team member. In the 01 season, he would lead his team past the first round, to face the Iverson led Sixers in a battle for the ages.
Putting the team on his back and putting up heroic efforts including a 50 point game with 9 threes, Vince and his raptors would fall just short of advancing to the next round, slain by the Sixers in 7 games.
In the offseason, he would sign an extension with the Raptors to continue to pursue the goal of a Championship. Unfortunately however, the high flyer would encounter knee problems that would keep him sidelined in the playoffs.
Vince would find health in the 03-04 season but the Raptors would fail to reach the playoffs. Following tension and mistrust with the front office and management, the star would be dealt to the Nets where he would put up some of the best numbers of his career.
Joining Kidd and Jefferson, Vince would avoid major injury and make his team a force to be reckoned with. The Nets would make three straight playoffs with Vince and company at the helm, though they would be hindered by injuries.
A trade in 2009 would send Carter to the Magic, coming off a finals appearance and seeking to surround Dwight Howard with perimeter offense. He and Dwight would lead the Magic to the conference finals where they would fall to the mighty Celtics.
The now veteran would be traded to Phoenix, who would waive him following the lockout. Vince would join the Mavericks where he would provide valuable bench scoring and shooting. His game winning 3 against the Spurs would serve as a highlight of this time.
Carter would continue to provide scoring, shooting, and perhaps most importantly leadership for the Grizzlies, Kings, and Hawks in the later years of his career. He would become one of the most well respected players in the league, winning awards for sportsmanship.
Fittingly, he would pass the 25000 career points benchmark on a dunk in the final second of a game against the Raptors, the team where it all began.
This previous season saw the announcement of Vince’s retirement, bringing an end to this chapter of his life, and opening new doors at the same time. Vince would receive standing ovations all across the continent in recognition of his lasting legacy.
Vince Carter would play his last game on March 11 of this year, the season being cut short due to the ongoing pandemic, at peace with the final result. And so concludes the career of a man who will be remembered for many many years to come.
Career totals and highs
