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Vince Carter, The Killer Of ‘Father Time’
At 40-years-old, Memphis Grizzlies veteran Vince Carter is producing numbers and throwing down dunks that no 19-year-veteran would have imagined doing. The man once dubbed “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” is still amazing, but is no longer a man; he’s some sort of everlasting robot that’ll never cease.
Through 59 games played for Memphis so far this season, Carter is averaging 8.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3% from the field and 37.9% from beyond the arc. In his first start of the season in Monday night’s 113-93 victory over Milwaukee, Carter registered 24 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting and made history while doing so.
Carter became just the sixth player to record a 20-point game over the age of 40, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John Stockton, Michael Jordan, Robert Parish, and Karl Malone as the only players in league history to do so. “Vinsanity” also became the first 40-year-old only player to knock down six three-pointers in a single game.
“He never ceases to amaze me,” Grizzlies coach David Fizdale said.
Carter also threw down a vintage reverse dunk during his historic performance.
A reminder that Vince Carter is 40 years old. 👀 pic.twitter.com/rqPJg4EB0j
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 14, 2017
Vince Carter is looked upon as an extremely effective sharpshooter off the bench who fulfills whatever role is needed for the struggling Memphis Grizzlies. His ability to get to the rim has greatly declined, but don’t doubt the former NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion in the paint, though; he could still jam home dunks at ease. During his first few years, Carter mostly relied on his athletic ability to catapult him into one of the league’s most prolific players. Now, he uses post moves and spot-up-shooting to score the ball.
“Father time” can’t be defied, but with the right attitude and vision, you can work around it and still be effective. Many players have played into their late 30’s and 40’s; what Vince Carter is doing at 40 years old is a thing of beauty.
