Brooklyn Nets should bring back Vince Carter for 1 last run
By Akbar Best
What Carter brings on the court
Moving past all sentimental vibes, Vince Carter may be an elder statesman, but he clearly isn’t done contributing yet. VC has always been a good shot, specifically from 3, and that hasn’t changed in the slightest.
He’s coming off a season where he attempted an average of four 3s a game and made them at around a 39 percent clip. That’s great production from beyond the arc. For his career he averages a solid 37 percent from out there.
Four different seasons he’s shot 40 percent or more from 3 and 10 different seasons he’s hit 37 percent or better. I daresay, he’s an underrated 3-point marksman and even shooting at his career clip would fit what the Nets love to do.
On the bench, in the facility and in the locker room
It cannot stressed enough how important the veterans were to the success of the Brooklyn Nets this season.
D’Angelo Russell had a breakout season and Caris LeVert was well on his way to one before he was injured. Joe Harris led the NBA in 3-point shooting. Jarrett Allen was a premier shot blocker and Spencer Dinwiddie was one of the best bench players in the league.
With all that being said, the veterans were so huge for the Nets.
Mentoring the youth. Picking up the slack during injuries or when our main guys didn’t have it. Remember the triple-OT game against the Cleveland Cavaliers? That game isn’t won by stellar play and big time shots by DeMarre Carroll.
Ed Davis may not have been the rim protector we wanted, but his presence in the paint for boards was undeniable. And Jared Dudley who, to be honest, I wasn’t the happiest about trading for, but his presence was truly missed after he was ejected from Game 4 in the playoffs.
Throughout the season Dudley made many little plays that ended up being big for the Nets. Vince Carter can do these things while also bringing an added toughness to the team. He can help show D’Angelo and Caris what it takes to be stars.
He would be a great addition to the culture and the locker room. So there’s only one thing to say. Sean Marks, make it happen.