Brooklyn Nets: The Nets’ All-Time Starting 5
Shooting Guard – Vince Carter
Vince Carter’s tenure with the team wasn’t particularly long, but it special. An array of clutch shots and memorable dunks have left Nets fans waiting until there is another player as exciting as Carter on the Nets roster.
While Carter is remembered more for his time with the Toronto Raptors, his best years were spent in New Jersey. In his first (half) season with the Nets, Carter averaged 27.5 points per game, his career high. Carter also put up all around great averages during his tenure with the team. Averaging 23.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 374 games is just an example of the impact he had on the team.
He was nicknamed, “Half-Man/Half-Amazing,” for a reason. With his ability to shoot from long range, inside the arc or slam down some incredible jams, Carter did it all for New Jersey. While they may not have had the most success together, the duo of Kidd and Carter was something special to watch. Add in player like former Net Richard Jefferson, and you had one of the more fun teams to watch in the league at the time.
While Carter’s previously mentioned stats are a great indicator of his impact, it’s not the only way to look at what he meant to the team. During the 2004-05 season the Nets started with a record of 2-11. Things weren’t looking good for the the New Jersey Nets are Kidd was recovering from an injury. Upon Kidd’s return though, the Nets still just didn’t look right.
This caused the Nets to make a huge trade. That trade would be the one in which they acquired All-Star shooting guard they desperately needed in Carter. After trade the Nets still found themselves more than 10 games out of playoff contention. With things looking bleak, Carter stepped up his play and helped the Nets grab the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The following season, Carter filled the highlight reels with memorable dunks, shots and plays. In the process him and Jason Kidd led the Nets to a 49 win season in which they won the Atlantic Division and grabbed the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. A run in with the eventual champion Miami Heat closed the Nets playoff run that season.
The next few seasons were filled with ups and down for the Nets. Jason Kidd being traded was one of them and as a result, Carter immediately became the Nets leader and best player. Carter would spend a few more seasons in New Jersey before eventually being traded on Draft Day in 2009. Without Carter, the Nets would go 12-70 the following season. This would be the worst record in franchise history and seventh worst in NBA history.
With that said, Carter was vital to the Nets success before their rebuild that spanned the rest of their time in New Jersey before moving to Brooklyn. A legend, Carter will surely have his jersey number hanging in the rafters at Barclays Center in the future. A legendary player, Carter spent some of his best years with the Nets. While in New Jersey showed why he is regarded as the best dunker of all time in the process.