Toronto Raptors: A tribute to Vince Carter, a slam dunk artist

A tribute to the great Vince Carter

Vince Carter will go down in history as one of the most gifted basketball players to ever play the game. For many, he’ll always be a Toronto Raptor.

Air Canada, in his first six seasons in the league, proved to be one of the most impressive dunkers we’ve ever seen. Period. After 22 seasons, including a career that spanned four different decades, he hangs it up for good.

He played for the Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and for the last couple of seasons, Atlanta Hawks. He was a fantastic role player for these other teams. VC Should be considered a future Hall Of Famer in the NBA.

Vince Carter, the dunking legend

There are some critical points in his career that will always stand out to his fans. We can’t mention any unless we bring up his Slam Dunk Contest of 2000. It showcases his high-flying creativity and is one of the greatest things I have ever seen in sports. Dunk after dunk, it was Vinsanity at his very best. It gives me goosebumps, just picturing it.

Carter was named Rookie of the Year in 1998-99. It was during an NBA lockout that had only 50 games on the schedule. Still, what an incredible 50 games for VC. Not many rookies can say they posted numbers like his. En route to winning the award, he averaged 18 points, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per contest. He posterized whoever was in his way. His numbers defensively were also undeniable.

When it comes to defense, timing is everything – being in a position to swat the ball away just as the opposing player is about to dribble – getting that perfectly timed block as the jump you take mirrors the other player. Having long arms and big hands is also a big help when playing defense.

Carter had that quick first step that he used to take anyone off the dribble, and the next thing you know or see for that matter is him flying through the air and dunking it over or on top of whoever was in the way. Half man, half amazing!  So much fun to watch. You just did not know what this guy was going to do next. You were on the edge of your seat. He would reach into that bag of his, full of trick dunks.

One of the other unbelievable VC moments in NBA folklore? The 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Allen Iverson‘s Philadelphia 76ers. The duel was one of the greatest series ever played in the Eastern Conference NBA playoffs history.

Iverson puts up a dramatic performance, and one of the best ever, with 54 points in Game 2. In Game 3 of that series, Vinsanity answers back with a fifty point night shooting and dunking from all over the floor. It was one for the ages!

There’s no question that Vince Carter will be in the Hall of Fame. In his first 6 and a half years as a Raptor, he did so many amazing things with the ball. Off the court, he has always been a very positive person. Carter established something called Embassy of Hope Foundation, helping children and their families in Florida, New Jersey, and Ontario. He has an authentic heart and gives back as often as he can.

On the court, he was a Slam Dunk artist, and off of it, he is a real-life hero to many. Happy retirement Vince, from a Canadian fan.