Basketball has often been regarded as a sport where some of the world’s greatest athletes get to display their craft whilst they are suspended in the air. These masters of the air are often regarded as being legendary figures of the game. Names like Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, and Dominique Wilkins come to mind whenever we speak of high flyers. However, one man who deserves as much recognition as these other legends is Vincent Lamar Carter. Vince Carter is widely regarded as the greatest dunker that the game has ever seen.
Today’s generation of NBA fans might not agree with this statement since they have never seen VC in his prime. Even though he can still throw it down on occasion, his dunks are no longer near the level they once were back in his younger years. Back during high school, Vince Carter became a McDonald’s All American and he also helped the North Carolina Tar Heels reach the Final Four twice before foregoing his senior year to enter the 1998 NBA Draft.
He was chosen with the fifth overall pick by the Golden State Warriors before his rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for his old teammate, Antawn Jamison. Upon entering the NBA, Carter quickly gained much fame and recognition for his uncanny leaping ability. He also won the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year Award and was also chosen to participate in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest where his status as one of the game’s best dunkers was finally cemented.
Aside from his monstrous dunks and his spectacular leaping ability, Carter was also a gifted perimeter scorer as he was able to score the ball anywhere from the court. He was also a pretty decent defender as he would go on to average a steal per game during his prime. Carter gained much prominence during his years with the Raptors where he became the team’s franchise player.
It was in Toronto where Carter would experience some of his best years including guiding the team to their first playoff berth during the 1999-2000 season where they were ousted in the first round by the New York Knicks. Carter would eventually get traded to the New Jersey Nets, where he also experienced some success alongside fellow All-Star Jason Kidd.
Even though Carter may no longer be as explosive as he once was, he will always be remembered for entertaining the fans with his acrobatic plays in the air. No one will ever forget his dunk over seven-foot Frenchman, Frederick Weiss, or his outstanding display of dunks during the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. Vince Carter will forever be remembered as the greatest dunker to have ever graced the NBA.