Even with the fortuitous lack of serious injuries throughout his career, I think very few people thought that Vince Carter would still be a valued contributor in the NBA at the age of 40 and as of January 26, 2017 he is.
Although it is worth discussing how incredible his mini-renaissance season has been in Memphis thus far, I think it is only right to celebrate his amazing career by looking back at why he should be a hall of famer when he decides to hang them up and why he is the most electrifying dunk artist in NBA history.
Vince Carter has made eight All-Star teams, three All-NBA appearances, is in the prestigious 24k points club and has been in the NBA since Dragan Bender was seven months old.
Carter was of of the most popular players in the NBA and highest in jersey and shoe sales almost immediately after his arrival in the NBA. His incredible level of athleticism, flexibility, scoring prowess and creativity on a basketball court made him must-watch TV. He was a super hero of sorts while in Toronto and trailed only Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant in his era for global popularity.
Here are a few of the more memorable Nike Vince Carter commercials…
The Dr. Funk Nike commercial was a classic..
As a middle school kid I was dying to play in his Nike Shocks so I could feel like Air Canada himself on a basketball court. Watching Carter dominate the dunk contest like no one had ever seen caused me to have my own contests (on an 8 foot rim) for weeks after the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
He also provided us with the greatest in game dunk in basketball history when he literally leaped over 7’2″ French Center (and New York Knicks draft pick) Frederic Weis in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Carter was basically a star and main attraction throughout the 2000s as a member of the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets. After his prime had passed he reinvented himself as a valuable role player and solid defender in Dallas and now Memphis.
The sort of second act and humility that we never saw from the other fan favorite from his generation, Allen Iverson.
Although Carter was never one of the five best players in the NBA, never led a team past the second round of the postseason and never played in an NBA Finals, he is one of the more memorable players in NBA history and someone that parents and grandparents will be telling their kids and grandchildren about for years to come.
Please take 10 minutes to enjoy the greatest highlight video of all-time in my opinion, the top 100 dunks of Vince Carter’s prime…
