Basketball legend Vince Carter has perhaps played his final game as a professional basketball player after the NBA announced the suspension of its activities due to the spread of the coronavirus.
It is an abrupt conclusion to a fantastic career, but it does not diminish his status as an all-time great. Carter is a future Hall of Famer with many accolades, but there is much more to the legacy of the former Tar Heel.
Most people today recognize Carter for his longevity. He has played the most seasons in NBA history and is the only player to remain in the league through four decades. He’s also the last active player to be born in the 1970s.
Others remember him putting his entire arm into the hoop during the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, showing the world his tremendous athleticism. He used that performance to become known as one of the best dunkers to ever set foot on the court.
Few realize that there is much more to “Vinsanity” than the pure talent he showed on a daily basis. It is his personality that has helped him survive in the league until the age of 43, developing a team-first mentality that has helped him maneuver through a wild NBA career.
His genetics could only take him so far. The combination of age and nagging injuries made it harder for him to make the flashy plays that transformed him into the Toronto Raptors’ first superstar. Frustrations piled up on both sides, leading to an ugly divorce.
While he continued to be a productive scorer, he didn't discover a leadership role until he became a member of the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Carter was relegated to the bench during the season after starting several games, but there was no anger. He instead developed into a key sixth man for the team.
Carter also evolved into a good teammate, going out of his way to spread his knowledge of basketball. He was a terrific presence in the locker for the younger players that were trying to integrate into the team’s system.
