Vince Carter is 40 years old and in his 20th NBA season but he can still evoke memories of the explosive player who was once regarded as one of the NBA’s best. Carter pitched in a season-high 24 points in the Kings‘ win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday and LeBron James had a raving review, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes.
“He made some bombs,” James said. “He’s a Hall of Famer for a reason, let’s not take that for granted. Once he got going, we couldn’t slow him down.”
There have been talks that Sacramento should distribute Carter’s minutes to younger players as the team rebuilds. However, Carter is only averaging a career-low 14.6 minutes per game to go along with 3.9 PPG. His job is no longer to be the offensive leader, but just a leader. The longtime Raptor and Nets has embraced the role.
“It’s not really about the points, it’s making a difference for our team in a positive matter,” Carter said. “… I just want to assess myself as, did I help our team or the second unit? Did we close a deficit or extend a lead in our time in the game? That’s usually how you get minutes or earn more minutes and opportunities. That’s just my approach.”
Check out other news from the Pacific Division below:
- In a separate article, Jason Jones from the Sacramento Bee writes that after a recent loss to the Spurs, the Kings’ coaching staff and players view the Spurs’ model as their blueprint for success. The Spurs have been a contender for the past two decades, whereas the Kings have not sniffed the postseason since 2007.
- In an in-depth and insightful feature (via USA TODAY Sports), assistant coach Mike Brown‘s contributions to the Warriors over the last three seasons are highlighted. Brown has spoken glowingly of the Golden State organization and the love has been reciprocated from head coach Steve Kerr – who Brown filled in for last season — and the players.
- Speaking of the Warriors, the team’s current foundation is currently held together by having four All-Star talents leading the team. However, the key to keeping that foundation intact may rest with the team’s new arena that is currently being built, Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports writes.
- Mark Heisler of the Orange County Register looks at the Clippers’ uncertain future and whether or not the team is likely to stay in Los Angeles.
“He’s a Hall of Famer for a reason.”
When did Vince Carter get in the Hall of Fame? I thought he was still playing.
Asinine comment by LeBron. Vince Carter’s well-respected, probably on his way to the hall of fame, but not yet pal.
He’s not a Hall of Famer because LeBron “say’s so.”
There’s a process, a 5 year waiting period, a committee, he has to be voted in Etc.
Don’t trivialize the glory and praise of those well deserved members in the Hall of Fame currently by verbally pronouncing a player as a Hall of Famer.
And I love how LeBron talked about the errors that affected the Cavaliers and him personally from that Last Two Minutes observation committee of the NBA. They also said, and LeBron didn’t mention, that there were Cavaliers fouls that weren’t called. Of course LeBron didn’t mention those LOL.
Lebron it’s probably the most gifted athlete and greatest player to ever play the game of basketball. That is clear. He’s won MVPs and championships and has been a winner in different cities. But some of the stuff he says is tough to take.
This is common in all sports to say for players who are shoo-ins. You are upset over nothing.
He’s either in the Hall of Fame or he isn’t.
Is Manu Ginobili going to the Hall of Fame, 15 years in the league? How about Dwyane Wade, 15 years? How about Kevin Durant? 9 years in the league? Anthony Davis? Five years?
Ben Simmons, there’s a reason he’s a Hall of Famer. He’s a beast, gets a lot of triple doubles, One year in the league?
Where you draw the line?
I just don’t like taking away from the work the men who are in the Hall of Fame have gone through.
Well, that and I don’t like a lot of the things Lebron says… :)
Seems contradictory to put brakes on Carter being hall of famer and then to state LeBron probably greatest player ever… even though both are likely true. lol.
Oh Gary he knows he’ll go to the Hall
Agreed, but he’s not there yet :)
You never know what could happen, what could come out, what could prevent him from going. Pete Rose? Roger Clemens Barry Bonds? Shoeless Joe Jackson?
But let’s save the fanfare of his great induction day when he’s on the stage receiving his reward for a career well done.
I want an NBA example
Ralph Sampson is the only one I can think of right now. Coming out of college and his first couple years in the NBA….Sure Fire Hall of Famer with his skills. Then his knees gave out and career was shortened. No Hall of Fame for him.
Vince Carter will be a shoe in for the hall… Gary, your comments are asinine. He’s almost 40 years old. There’s no “where do we draw the line in this. He’s proven himself, he was a superstar and if he retired tomorrow it would not change that. You can’t get angry just because the best basketball player in the world called him a hall of famer..
Sirsleepit, is Dwayne Wade a hall of famer?
Sirsleepit, ok, is Anthony Davis “a hall of famer?”
Sirsleepit, is Roger Clemens “a hall of famer?” He had a successful, long career with championships and awards.
While he was playing we were unaware of anything that would come to light after his playing days.
But according to your logic, he’s “a Hall of Famer.”
Okay Rodger Clemens is a Hall of Famer…close the book on it…. oh rats, he’s not in the hall of fame. Hmmm.
Is the sun going to come up tomorrow? Who knows if it will until it actually happens
You mean just because the sun came up today, yesterday, and for the last gazillion years, it’s guaranteed to come up tomorrow?
It depends on how you look at it. For many, many people that sun is not coming up tomorrow. 150,000 die every 24 hours.
Go write a poem or something
LOOOOOOOOOOL
You should try out for a soap opera
You’re really butthurt about LeBron predicting correctly that Vince Carter being a hall of famer
He’s not predicting he will be a Hall of Famer. LeBron is saying he is a Hall of Famer. Do you see his quote?
Incredible how ridiculous things are in 2017, almost 2018. The fact that this is how people really are. It really is scary….
It was obvious what he meant about Vince Carter. No reason to go further than that. As for the other stuff, there isn’t reason to address that either b/c of the obvious fact that nothing anyone ever says or does will change haters opinions of people. That being said, as someone that heavily leans towards the Warriors in those matchups, it was pretty obvious there were several more egregious missed calls that didn’t get called throughout the game for LeBron on hard contact. My view is that stuff isnt anything anyone can really talk about b/c it happens most every night to everyone, but it should still be po8nted out so thise problems can hopefully be addressed in the future. NOBODY gets officiated to the ridiculous extent James Harden does, with the exception of maybe Derozan, and there’s even a rule named after those guys. They’re the only people that should never ever be allowed to complain about officiating
Anyone with an opinion that you don’t like or different from yours you consider “scary?” Especially if the majority of folks (99% on this thread) lean one way?
Well I’m just creating dialogue and in a court of law I would be right. Exact words mean things in many different places and on many different occasions. Not here, and that’s okay.
I would never resort to calling anyone a derogatory name and I’m just having fun with an opinion.
My opinion is that the men in the Hall of Fame now deserve the utmost respect for the work they put in to get there. Too many people are giving Hall of Fame inductions way too early. Probably not the case with Vince Carter and I guess he was the wrong player to argue my point.
Besides that I sort of don’t like that this is the LeBron Basketball Association. His word is not going to hospital. Just my opinion and nobody is bad or wrong for disagreeing with me. And I don’t think I’m dad with this opinion, Just Sports dialogue.
His word is not gospel. Not Hospital.
Anyone with an opinion that you don’t like or different from yours you consider “scary?” Especially if the majority of folks (99% on this thread) lean one way?
Well I’m just creating dialogue and in a court of law I would be right. Exact words mean things in many different places and on many different occasions. Not here, and that’s okay.
I would never resort to calling anyone a derogatory name and I’m just having fun with an opinion.
My opinion is that the men in the Hall of Fame now deserve the utmost respect for the work they put in to get there. Too many people are giving Hall of Fame inductions way too early. Probably not the case with Vince Carter and I guess he was the wrong player to argue my point.
Besides that I sort of don’t like that this is the LeBron Basketball Association. His word is not gospel. Just my opinion and nobody is bad or wrong for disagreeing with me. And I don’t think I’m bad or wrong with this opinion, Just Sports dialogue.
Mikey, There’s a difference between what a man says, and his game. I respect his game his ability his championships. What I don’t like is some of the things he says. Are you saying I have to like both, or disregard both?
The only question is how big of a tool is Gary for this manifesto on Vince Carter not being called a Hall of Famer. Scale of 0 to Lowes & Home Depot.
Nice one Z-A. Love it.