An ode to Vince Carter: The Basketball Player.
Hailing from Daytona Beach, FL. Standing at 6’6 guard from North Carolina, they go crazy when he dunks, he’s half-man half-amazing. The standout. Nobody gave him a handout. High flyer, elbow diver, I seen no man jump higher, it’s the myth himself. Viiiiiiiiiiiiiiince Caaaaaaaaarterrrrrrrrrr!
I know where this is going. Today, we celebrate a professional athlete who just retired. Leaving us at awe with all his accomplishments, Vince Carter is a man amongst other men who do the same thing he does. He shoots a ball. He dunks the ball. He dribbles and plays defense. His best days were with the New Jersey Nets.
But where everyone remembers him (after his epic 2000 NBA slam dunk championship in Oakland) was when he donned a Toronto Raptors uniform.
I don’t get Canadian channels on cable; it’s just like watching something foreign to me. It’s watching someone reverse wind-mill, full extension, hand-cuffing the ball spinning around like the hands on a grandfather clock at midnight. Dong!
You’ve got to watch that highlight! You’ll know what that dunk means to the basketball community. Then he goes on and puts the show to rest. The dunk contest will never be the same after what Vince Carter did to really start off the new millennium.
I understand when it comes to picking your favorite shooting guard, Vince Carter does not come up in the conversation. It’s just not what I’m used to hearing from the great debates of who is the best players of all-time. He just wasn’t out for trying to become that. Instead, as a player who seemed to go for the respect, as opposed for the accolades no one can say Vince Carter didn’t put on a show.
In my hiatus here during coronavirus, I’m not saddened by the news of Vince Carter retiring. But I’ll acknowledge that he was a pillar in his 22-year career as an NBA player. With his style of play that hinted Michael or Kobe, he was far from trying to be like them. He was a superstar role-player his whole career. There is nothing wrong with that statement.
Today we remember Vince Carter. No more spotlight. No more highlight. But as news surfaces of a resumed NBA season, Vince will be remembered by his game and his abilities. Continue to strive and find your gift. Its only right. It’s something you can’t achieve if you just watch.
