Vince Carter, 2024 Hall of Famer!

Vince Carter, 2024 Hall of Famer!

The Basketball Hall of Fame, Vince Carter. One of the greatest dunkers of all time and the walking highlight. He was able to defeat Father Time as he played for 22 seasons. Being a key player on teams like the Raptors, Nets, Mavericks, and Hawks. Vinsanity was able to put Toronto on his back and was able to put the underrated city on his back. It is crazy to think that Vince Carter played with the likes of Michael Jordan to Trae Young. Three decades of incredible basketball. A legend of the game and a true icon.

Vince Carter played at the University of North Carolina. He was an alumnus, like James Worthy and Michael Jordan. Then he declared for the draft in 1998, being a part of the Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce class. The Golden State Warriors drafted him fourth overall. But they traded him for Antawn Jameson. In his first rookie season, he established himself as a future star. Vince won the Rookie of the Year award. Averaging 18 points per game and 5.7 rebounds along with 3 assists. Though winning, the Raptors were trash. They never made the playoffs.

Vince Carter took a jump to stardom in his second season. It was his first full season, as his rookie year was short because of a lockdown. He earned himself an All-Star spot, averaging 25.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Also, he got an All-NBA Team nomination. He was the highlight of the All-Star weekend that year, as he put on one hell of a show in the Dunk Contest. Earned himself the nickname "Air Canada.".

The Toronto Raptors had a hot duo. With the dynamic duo of the young combo guards Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. With Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen gone, the league's future seemed to be with a new franchise. But come free agency time, the Orlando Magic was able to sign T Mac, which ruined that possibility. Even though he lost his sidekick, Vince was taking his game to another level.

The third season of Vince's career was incredible. He averaged 27.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He was incredible that year. With a career-high in points, Vince proved he was among the best shooting guards in the league. It was a stacked position with Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Allen Iverson, and Tracy McGrady. Vince earned himself the second All-NBA team and was an All-Star starter. In the 2001 playoffs, that was the deepest the Raptors ever went. Beating the Knicks in six games. Then having a legendary series against the Sixers. In game 3, Vince dropped a 50-ball. But the Sixers, led by Iverson, were able to win in seven. It was a legendary series for both Hall of Famers.

In the 2001 off-season, Vince got paid. A six-year, 94-million-dollar deal that was well deserved. The Raptors ensured their franchise player, who put them on the map. Vince missed the last 22 games of the season that year but still had good averages. Yet, the Raptors were the seventh seed that year.

Following the 2002 off-season, Vince had surgery on his left knee. He only played 43 games that season. He gave up his All-Star spot for the legendary Michael Jordan and his last All-Star game. Then, in the 2003 off-season, the Raptors drafted Chris Bosh with the fourth pick. Who later on became a Hall of Famer.

In 2004, Vince Carter forced his way out. The Raptors fired their front office along with firing the head coach. Vince was now unhappy with the organization. He no longer dunked during basketball games. He said it was overrated to dunk. He no longer wanted to be 'Air Canada'. Then in the mid-season, the Nets made a trade for Vince to help their team win the finals.

Vince Carter then gets traded to the New Jersey Nets. Joining forced with one of the best point guards of the time, Jason Kidd, and Kenyon Martin. The Nets went to two finals, in which they lost to the Lakers and Spurs. They were looking to finally cross the finish line. Vince averaged 27.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. On April 15, 2005, boos greeted Vince when he returned to Toronto. He was no longer loved by the city that adopted him. He was enemy number one in the eyes of the Raptors nation.

In the 2005-06 season, the Nets won 49 games and were the third seed. They were one of those teams that could make a deep run for the finals. Carter and the Nets were then eliminated by the Miami Heat, led by Shaq and young Dwyane Wade. The Heat would win the NBA Finals. Carter then re-signed with the Nets in 2007. Then New Jersey went ahead and traded Jason Kidd to the Mavs, which led to Vince getting sent to the Orlando Magic.

Vince Carter was now sent to the Orlando Magic. He joined one of the greatest defensive big men, Dwight Howard. The Magic came out of their final loss and were looking for a second option. Vince only spent one season with the Magic. They lost to the Celtics, led by Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, in the Eastern Conference.

After failing to reach the finals with the Magic, Vince Carter ended up on the Suns. Teaming up with Steve Nash and Grant Hill. The Suns moved on from Amar'e Stoudemire, who was now in New York. Vince played only one season with the Suns before the lockdown. Then, they parted ways.

After the buyout, Vince Carter joined the Dallas Mavericks. They are the reigning NBA Champions, led by Dirk Nowitzki. He reunited with his former teammate Jason Kidd. In his time with the Mavs, Vince was able to join the 1,500 3-pointers club, which was a huge achievement. Being the eighth player of the time to do so. VC was no longer the superstar that he once was. He was now a 3-point shooter and a sixth man. He was great for his role. Vince Carter hit a legendary buzzer-beater against the Spurs in the 2014 playoffs.

After 3 seasons with the Mavs, Vince Carter signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. Teaming up with Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley. In his first season in Memphis, he was able to achieve the milestone of becoming 25th in all-time scoring.

The following season, Vince Carter passed Charles Barkley in all-time scoring. The Spurs eliminated them in four games in the 2016 playoffs. The young Kawhi Leonard led the way. In the 2017 season, Vince Carter passed Allen Iverson to become the 23rd-highest scorer of all time.

The Sacramento Kings signed Vince Carter on a one-year deal. To help develop their rookie De'Aaron Fox. Vince won the Most Respected Player that year with the Kings. Scoring 24 points against the Cavs led by LeBron James, which was his season high. Vince only spent the 2017-18 season with Sac Town.

In the 2018 off-season, Vince Carter signed with the Atlanta Hawks. To be the veteran presence for the rookie Trae Young. Carter was able to pass up Jerry West in scoring, becoming 21st all-time in points. Vince that season became the oldest player to play 45 minutes. Then he surpassed Reggie Miller as the 20th all-time scorer. He also passed Jamal Crawford for the most 3-pointers made.

At the start of the 2019-20 season, Vince Carter announced his retirement with the Hawks. He became the 5th player to play 1,500 games in the NBA. But the COVID pandemic cut his season short. What an incredible career Vince had. From being a walking highlight reel of incredible dunks to being a great three-point shooter. Watching him was special. underrated legend of the game. A very underrated legend of the game.

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