Vince Carter
Encyclopedia
Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter (born January 26, 1977) is an American professional basketball
player for the Phoenix Suns
. He is a shooting guard
who can also play small forward
.
A high school McDonald's All-American, Carter played three years at the University of North Carolina
, where he twice reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament
before being selected as the fifth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft
by the Golden State Warriors
, who traded him to the Toronto Raptors
. He won the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year Award
and won the Slam Dunk Contest
at the 2000 NBA All-Star Game
the following season. That summer, he represented the United States in the Summer Olympics
, winning a gold medal.
He quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his leaping ability and slam dunks, earning him nicknames such as "Vinsanity," "Air Canada," and "Half-Man, Half-Amazing."
He led the Raptors to their first three playoff appearances. In 2004, he was traded to the New Jersey Nets
, and he helped lead them to three playoff berths. In July 2009, Carter was traded to the Orlando Magic
, helping them to advance to the Eastern Conference finals before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in December, 2010.
An eight-time NBA All-Star, Carter joined NBA players Julius Erving
and Michael Jordan
as the only players to lead the NBA All-Star Game fan voting three or more times. Carter scored his 20,000th point in 2011, becoming the 37th player in league history to do so.
Off the court, Carter established his Embassy of Hope Foundation, assisting children and their families in Florida, New Jersey and Toronto. He was recognized in 2000 as Child Advocate of the Year by the Children's Home Society, and received the Florida Governor's Points of Light award in 2007 for his philanthropy in his home state.
, Carter was a 1995 McDonald's All-American at Mainland High School
in Daytona Beach before spending three seasons playing college basketball
at North Carolina
under Dean Smith
and later, Bill Guthridge
. During the 1997–1998 season, he was a member of new coach Guthridge's "six starters" system that featured Antawn Jamison
, Shammond Williams
, Ed Cota
, Ademola Okulaja
, and Makhtar N'Diaye. During his sophomore and junior seasons, Carter helped North Carolina to consecutive ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
titles and Final Four
appearances. He finished the 1997–98 season with s 15.6-points-per-game average and was named second-team All-American. In May 1998, Carter declared for the 1998 NBA Draft
, following his classmate Jamison, who had declared earlier that spring.
. After the acquisition of Carter through a draft day trade in 1998
however, the team set league attendance records in 2000, 2001, and 2002 and the value of the Raptors franchise doubled during Carter's tenure as Raptor. Carter was instrumental in leading the Raptors to the playoffs in 2000 for the first time in franchise history. He also led them to a franchise high of 47 wins and their first ever playoff series win in 2001, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Carter was initially drafted by the NBA's Golden State Warriors
with the fifth overall pick, and then traded to the Toronto Raptors
for the fourth overall pick, Antawn Jamison
, his college teammate and good friend. Carter's rookie season was the shortened 50-game 1999 season, after the NBA locked out its players in 1998–99. Carter started almost every game for coach Butch Carter
, averaged 18.3 points per game
(ppg), and eventually won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award
. The next year, Carter was selected to an All-Star Team for the first time, averaged 25.7 ppg, made the Third Team All-NBA, and showcased his athleticism and dunking abilities in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He won the contest by performing an array of dunks including a 360° windmill, a between the legs bounce dunk, and an "elbow in the rim" dunk (also known as a "cookie jar" dunk or the "honey dip". ESPN referred to the 2000 slam dunk contest as, "one of the most memorable contests in the entire run." Kobe Bryant, who was invited along with Vince Carter, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Julius Erving as judges for the 2007 slam dunk contest, said that among the judges in their prime, Carter would win in a dunk contest.
In Carter's first two seasons, he and his distant cousin Tracy McGrady
formed a formidable one-two punch as Raptor teammates. The two led the Raptors to their first playoff berth in the 2000 NBA Playoffs
, but they were swept in the first round by the New York Knicks
, in 3 games. Upon McGrady's departure to the Orlando Magic
as a free agent in a sign and trade deal, Carter became the Raptors' franchise player. L.A. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, whose team won several championships in the decade to follow, believed they could've competed for several championships if they had stayed together.
In 2000–01, his third season, Carter averaged a career-high 27.6 ppg, made the Second Team All-NBA, and was voted in as a starter in the 2001 NBA All-Star Game
, while the Raptors finished the regular season with a franchise-record 47 wins. In the playoffs, the Raptors beat the New York Knicks
3–2 in the first round, and advanced to the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals
to face off against the Philadelphia 76ers
. Carter and Allen Iverson
played in a seven-game series that see-sawed back and forth. Carter scored 50 points on Philly in game three and set a NBA playoff record for most three-point field goals made in one game. On the morning of Game Seven, Carter attended his graduation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
. He had completed the requirements for his degree in African-American Studies the previous summer and said he felt receiving his diploma was personally significant. Television ratings for game seven soared as one of the highest watched in NBC's history for a non-finals game. As the Sixers and Raptors increased their double team pressures on Carter and Iverson respectively, the game winning shot came down to Carter who missed with 2.0 seconds remaining. Afterwards, he was heavily criticized for his decision to attend his graduation by both media and fans. In July 2011, Iverson reflected back on the series. “It was incredible. (Carter) had great games at home and I had some great games at home, but both of us were just trying to put our teams on our back and win basketball games. It is great just having those memories and being a part of something like that.”
In the summer of 2001, Carter signed a $94 million, six-year extension with the Raptors. In addition, Carter announced that he would be hosting a charity basketball game featuring fellow NBA stars that would be played at the Air Canada Centre
in Toronto on August 3, 2001. The success of the first game being sold out encouraged Carter to make the charity game an annual summer event.
The next season was an injury-riddled one for Carter. He started in 60 games and he averaged 24.7 ppg. He was voted into the 2002 NBA All-Star Game
, but he could not participate due to injury. The Raptors did not fare well without their All-Star player. The team lost 17 of 18 games to drop to 30–38, then won 12 of their last 14 to finish at 42–40. Carter was injured during the 2002 NBA Playoffs
, and his team was defeated in the first round by the Detroit Pistons
, in 5 games. During the 2003 NBA All-Star Game
, Carter gave up his starting All-Star spot to the Washington Wizards
' Michael Jordan
to allow Jordan to make his final start as an All-Star. During his Raptors tenure, news came out and revealed that Carter had developed Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease also known as "jumper's knee
," which drew criticism and questions from local media outlets and fans about Carter's long term durability as a NBA scorer.
After 50 games in the 2003-2004 season, Toronto was 25–25 and in a position to make the playoffs
, but injuries to Jalen Rose, Alvin Williams, and Carter sent the Raptors plummeting down the standings and the Raptors fell 3 games short of making the playoffs. Carter's individual season performances was 22.5 ppg
but team-mate Alvin Williams
's knee injury unfortunately turned out to be career ending.
. In a private meeting, Peddie reassured Carter that MLSE was serious in building a contender in Toronto and that he would pursue established players like point guard Steve Nash
and centre Jamaal Magloire
. Carter was also given the impression that Peddie would consider Julius Erving
as a serious candidate for G.M., thinking he could attract star players to Toronto. Though Julius Erving flew into Toronto for an interview, interim G.M. McCloskey publicly disclosed a week prior that Erving was not really in the mix. Richard Peddie instead hired Rob Babcock
whose first priority in rebuilding the Raptors said was to "establish our philosophy," stating “we are not really worried about how many wins we get right away, or whether we make the playoffs within the first year or two." After hiring Sam Mitchell as new head coach, Babcock's first move was to select Rafael Araujo with the eighth overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft to fill in the centre position. He later signed guard Rafer Alston to a 5 year deal.
Consequently, much speculation arose whether Carter wanted to be traded. The Toronto Sun reported that Carter felt misled and felt the Raptors would never be an elite team under the current MLSE structure with Richard Peddie as Raptors president. Some NBA fans raised money to fly a “Keep Vince, Trade Peddie” banner over the Air Canada Centre just before Carter's annual charity game. When Rob Babcock was questioned about the trade speculations, he denied Carter asked for a trade but indiscreetly revealed Carter's agent had approached him for a trade request. During the 2004–05 season, new head coach Sam Mitchell
often benched Carter in the 4th quarter to emphasize the new team philosophy him and Babcock wanted players to adapt to, spurring rumors of fights between Carter and Mitchell and new point guard Rafer Alston.. On reduced playing time, Carter posted 15.9 ppg as a Raptor before his eventual trade.
On December 17, 2004, new Raptors General Manager Rob Babcock
traded Carter to the New Jersey Nets
for Alonzo Mourning
, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams
and two future first-round draft picks. Carter in his first game back to Toronto in 2004-2005 season was heavily booed and jeered by Raptors fans; some fans were found burning Vince Carter jerseys, while many donned No. 15 baby bibs, 'FUVC' t-shirts, and other merchandise that labelled Carter as "Wince" or as "immature," alluding to Carter's knee and ankle injuries and his dissent. Much like former Raptors teammate Tracy McGrady, Carter has been booed each time he has returned to Toronto. In early January 2005, when asked by TNT
's John Thompson
if he always pushed himself as hard as he should, Carter replied, "In years past, no. I was fortunate to have the talent. You get spoiled when you're able to do a lot of things. You see that you don't have to work at it." Though Carter's comments were perceived by Raptors fans as his confession of quitting on the Raptors Thompson said the comments were misinterpreted, saying, "That boy never said to me, 'Coach, I just laid down and quit.' ...I was embarrassed and felt awful about it for his sake, because I knew what he was communicating to me... he was more expressing a desire of wanting to do better, as we all do." Despite Thompson's defense of Carter, the Toronto Star
's Dave Feschuk in 2007 wrote that Carter "cheated on (the Raptors). He quit on the floor." Carter later stated his comments were misconstrued. On the eve of the Raptors and Nets' playoff series in 2007, Carter told New York's WFAN radio station, "One day, maybe the fans will understand how it all went down. That's all I can say."
In November 2011, nearly seven years since the trade to the Nets, Carter, along with his cousin Tracy McGrady, addressed the Toronto audience in an interview when asked about being booed in Toronto. "They watched myself and Tracy grow up. And when we left they still got to see (us) flourish and become (who we are). For me, I looked at it as, a young child growing up into a grown man and moving on. And I get it. Leaving, hurt a lot of people. It hurt me because I tell you what... I accomplished a lot, I learned a lot, I became the person and player of who I am today because of that experience, through the coaches, players, and everything else. I get it... but regardless I still love the city. I have friends there and my heart is still there because that's where it all started."
The 2004–05 season looked gloomy at first for the Nets. Their star Kidd was recovering from his own microfracture surgery and the team got off to a 2–11 start, and even with Jason Kidd returning from injury, the outlook was bleak with Jefferson requiring season ending surgery. However, after the trade, Carter rallied the Nets from more than 10 games out of the playoffs to gain the final seed in the Eastern Conference
.
In the 2005–06 NBA season, the Carter-Kidd duo co-lead the Nets to 49 wins, an Atlantic Division title, and the number three seed in the playoffs, while averaging 24.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He led the Nets to the second round of the playoffs before losing to the eventual NBA champions Miami Heat in five games. Carter averaged 29.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 11 playoff games. Carter was also named to the All-Star Team in 2006.
In the 2006–07 NBA season Carter was named, along with teammate Jason Kidd
, as a reserve to the 2007 NBA All-Star Game
, after losing out on a starting spot to Gilbert Arenas
by 3,010 votes. Both Carter and Kidd made their eighth All-Star game appearance.
In a 120–114 overtime win over the Washington Wizards
, April 7, 2007, Carter and Jason Kidd
became the first teammates in over 18 years to record triple-doubles in the same game since the Chicago Bulls
' Michael Jordan
and Scottie Pippen
achieved this feat against the Los Angeles Clippers
in 1989. Carter finished with 46 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kidd finished with 10 points, tied a career-high with 16 rebounds, and tied a season-high with 18 assists. Carter's triple double is the second highest total for a triple double, second only to Alvan Adams
of the Phoenix Suns
who tallied 47 points and 18 rebounds and 12 assists over 30 years ago.
After the Nets eliminated the Raptors, the Nets were eliminated from the playoffs by Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers
(lost series 4–2). During the season, the New York Knicks
and Nets had discussed a trade in February around Carter, which was ended with the trading deadline. Shaquille O'Neal
when asked which player he would want to play after playing with Kobe and Wade replied, "I'm gonna have to go with Vince Carter. I think he needs a player like me that can get him to the next level. And I can get him to the next level." Barkley responded by accusing O'Neil of tampering
. In the off-season, the two teams again revisited the subject but on July 1, 2007 Carter signed a 4-year, $61.8 million contract with the Nets.
For the 2007–08 season, Jason Kidd was traded mid season and Magic Johnson
claimed that Carter's game was on the decline due to his bad knees. In a 2008 ESPN special later that year, Carter was named behind Dominique Wilkins, Julius Erving, and Michael Jordan as being one of the 'greatest dunkers of all time.' In it, Reggie Miller
noted "Carter is probably the greatest dunker in the NBA I have ever seen." ESPN's Chris Broussard did a follow up piece in 2011 and called Vince Carter as the greatest in-game dunker of all time in the NBA.
Carter ended up finishing strong in 2008 with a season average of at least 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists a game, a season accomplishment unique to him, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James He also led the Nets in freethrow percentage, assists and steals per game (81.6%, 5.1, 1.2). Rod Thorn credited Carter for becoming a leader since the All-Star break..
For the 2008–09 season
, the Nets decided to rebuild and Carter was voted team captain to help mentor the young players. Coach Lawrence Frank commented that Carter had "served the term 'captain' very honorably. Coming with a team that has veterans from other teams, some young guys coming straight from school, a couple of 20-year-olds and one 21-year-old. Showing them how you handle every day and the professionalism you approach your job [with], his disposition, his character. Plus, he's played at a very high level. He's accepted different roles on the team, at different times, to let other guys thrive and play at a high level, and yet has shown that he still is one of the elite players in the league." Two such players Carter helped mentor were Devin Harris and Brook Lopez. Brook Lopez finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year and Devin Harris made his 1st All-Star team and narrowly missed winning the NBA Most Improved Player award. Carter finished his last season as a Net scoring around the 20 points-five boards-five assists per game mark which were only shared among five other players: LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Stephen Jackson, and Kobe Bryant.
with Ryan Anderson
for Rafer Alston
, Tony Battie
and Courtney Lee
; the Magic were searching for a go-to scorer who could take pressure off Dwight Howard
. The Nets without Carter ended up going 12-70.
Carter made his season debut with the Magic on October 28, 2009 against the Philadelphia 76ers
at home, recording 15 points and 2 assists to help the Magic defeat the Sixers. On February 8, 2010, Carter scored a season-high 48 points in a 123-117 win against the New Orleans Hornets, including 34 points in the second half to help rally the Magic back from a 17-point deficit.
Carter helped lead the Magic to the 2010 NBA Playoffs
, sweeping the Charlotte Bobcats
and the Atlanta Hawks
in the first two rounds, before falling to the Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference Finals in 6 games. This marked the first time Carter made it to the Conference Finals.
along with Marcin Gortat
, Mickael Pietrus
, a 2011 first-round draft pick, and $3 million, for Hedo Türkoğlu, Jason Richardson
, and Earl Clark
. When asked how he felt about being traded from Orlando, Carter replied, "They gave me an opportunity to play at home and they felt it was time to go in a different direction. You can't be mad about that. They've given me an opportunity to play somewhere else and still chase that dream.
On January 16th, 2011, Carter scored his 20,000th point, becoming only the 37th NBA player to reach that plateau.
in Sydney, Carter performed a memorable dunk when he jumped over 7-foot-2 (2.18 m) French
center Frédéric Weis
. Teammate Jason Kidd
said it was "One of the best plays I've ever seen." The French media later dubbed it "le dunk de la mort" ("the Dunk of Death"). The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal that year.
NBA playoff records
New Jersey Nets franchise records
Career highs
Carter visited with the Duquesne University
basketball team in Pittsburgh as a show of support after its shooting incident in September 2006.
He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi
fraternity.
Carter married Ellen Rucker, a doctor of chiropractic medicine, in July 2004; the couple divorced in 2006. They have one daughter, Kai Michelle Carter. born on June 1, 2005.
While with the Nets, Carter lived in Saddle River, New Jersey
on the same street as Jason Kidd, and the two played ping pong and went bowling together.
In January 2010, he opened a restaurant, Vince Carter's, in Daytona, Florida.
| style="text-align:left;"| 1998–99
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 50 || 49 || 35.2 || .450 || .288 || .761 || 5.7 || 3.0 || 1.1 || 1.5 || 18.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1999–00
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 82 || 82 || 38.1 || .465 || .403 || .791 || 5.8 || 3.9 || 1.3 || 1.1 || 25.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2000–01
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 75 || 75 || 39.7 || .460 || .408 || .765 || 5.5 || 3.9 || 1.5 || 1.1 || 27.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2001–02
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 60 || 60 || 39.8 || .428 || .387 || .798 || 5.2 || 4.0 || 1.6 || .7 || 24.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2002–03
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 43 || 42 || 34.2 || .467 || .344 || .806 || 4.4 || 3.3 || 1.1 || .9 || 20.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2003–04
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 73 || 73 || 38.2 || .417 || .383 || .806 || 4.8 || 4.8 || 1.2 || .9 || 22.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 20 || 20 || 30.4 || .411 || .322 || .694 || 3.3 || 3.1 || 1.2 || .8 || 15.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 57 || 56 || 38.9 || .462 || .425 || .817 || 5.9 || 4.7 || 1.5 || .6 || 27.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 79 || 79 || 36.8 || .430 || .341 || .799 || 5.8 || 4.3 || 1.2 || .7 || 24.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 82 || 82 || 38.1 || .454 || .357 || .802 || 6.0 || 4.8 || 1.0 || .4 || 25.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 76 || 72 || 38.9 || .456 || .359 || .816 || 6.0 || 5.1 || 1.2 || .4 || 21.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 80 || 80 || 36.8 || .437 || .385 || .817 || 5.1 || 4.7 || 1.0 || .5 || 20.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10
| style="text-align:left;"| Orlando
| 75 || 74 || 30.8 || .428 || .367 || .840 || 3.9 || 3.1 || .7 || .2 || 16.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
| style="text-align:left;"| Orlando
| 22 || 22 || 30.2 || .470 || .346 || .747 || 4.1 || 2.9 || .9 || .1 || 15.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
| style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix
| 51 || 41 || 27.2 || .422 || .366 || .735 || 3.6 || 1.6 || .9 || .3 || 13.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 925 || 907 || 36.4 || .445 || .374 || .797 || 5.2 || 4.0 || 1.2 || .7 || 22.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| All-Star
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 7 || 5 || 20.7 || .477 || .375 || .600 || 2.6 || 1.9 || .9 || .1 || 10.1
| style="text-align:left;"| 1999–00
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 3 || 3 || 39.7 || .300 || .100 || .871 || 6.0 || 6.3 || 1.0 || 1.3 || 19.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2000–01
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 12 || 12 || 44.9 || .436 || .410 || .784 || 6.5 || 4.7 || 1.7 || 1.7 || 27.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 4 || 4 || 44.8 || .365 || .316 || .861 || 8.5 || 5.8 || 2.2 || .0 || 26.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 11 || 11 || 40.9 || .463 || .241 || .796 || 7.0 || 5.3 || 1.8 || .6 || 29.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 12 || 12 || 40.6 || .396 || .389 || .693 || 6.8 || 5.3 || .9 || .6 || 22.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10
| style="text-align:left;"| Orlando
| 14 || 14 || 34.4 || .402 || .235 || .826 || 4.2 || 2.3 || .9 || .2 || 15.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 56 || 56 || 40.3 || .415 || .312 || .788 || 6.2 || 4.5 || 1.3 || .7 || 23.3
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player for the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
. He is a shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
who can also play small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
.
A high school McDonald's All-American, Carter played three years at the University of North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
, where he twice reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
before being selected as the fifth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft
1998 NBA Draft
The 1998 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1998 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This draft helped turn around three struggling franchises: the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, and the Toronto Raptors....
by the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, who traded him to the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
. He won the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year Award
NBA Rookie of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner receives the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which is named in honor of the Philadelphia Warriors head...
and won the Slam Dunk Contest
Slam Dunk Contest
The Slam Dunk Contest is an annual National Basketball Association competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend. The contest was inaugurated by the American Basketball Association at its All-Star Game in 1976 in Denver, the same year the slam dunk was legalized in the NCAA...
at the 2000 NBA All-Star Game
2000 NBA All-Star Game
The 2000 NBA All-Star Game, held in Oakland, California, was the 49th edition of the North American National Basketball Association All-Star Game. The Western Conference won the game with the score of 137-126 while Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan were both named MVP of the game...
the following season. That summer, he represented the United States in the Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, winning a gold medal.
He quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his leaping ability and slam dunks, earning him nicknames such as "Vinsanity," "Air Canada," and "Half-Man, Half-Amazing."
He led the Raptors to their first three playoff appearances. In 2004, he was traded to the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, and he helped lead them to three playoff berths. In July 2009, Carter was traded to the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
, helping them to advance to the Eastern Conference finals before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in December, 2010.
An eight-time NBA All-Star, Carter joined NBA players Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
and Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
as the only players to lead the NBA All-Star Game fan voting three or more times. Carter scored his 20,000th point in 2011, becoming the 37th player in league history to do so.
Off the court, Carter established his Embassy of Hope Foundation, assisting children and their families in Florida, New Jersey and Toronto. He was recognized in 2000 as Child Advocate of the Year by the Children's Home Society, and received the Florida Governor's Points of Light award in 2007 for his philanthropy in his home state.
High school and college
Born in Daytona Beach, FloridaDaytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
, Carter was a 1995 McDonald's All-American at Mainland High School
Mainland High School
Mainland High School is a public high school located in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is attended by 1,979 students of grades nine through twelve. The mascot is a Buccaneer and strongly resembles the old logo of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.-Daytona Public School:...
in Daytona Beach before spending three seasons playing college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
under Dean Smith
Dean Smith
Dean Edwards Smith is a retired American head coach of men's college basketball. Originally from Emporia, Kansas, Smith has been called a “coaching legend” by the Basketball Hall of Fame. Smith is best known for his successful 36-year coaching tenure at the University of North Carolina at Chapel...
and later, Bill Guthridge
Bill Guthridge
Bill Guthridge is a retired American college basketball coach.Guthridge initially gained recognition after serving for 30 years as Dean Smith's assistant at the University of North Carolina. Following Dean Smith's retirement in 1997, Guthridge served as head coach of the Tar Heels for three seasons...
. During the 1997–1998 season, he was a member of new coach Guthridge's "six starters" system that featured Antawn Jamison
Antawn Jamison
Antawn Cortez Jamison is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He currently plays power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a member of the USA National Team for the 2006 FIBA World Championships...
, Shammond Williams
Shammond Williams
Shammond Omar Williams is a naturalized Georgian professional basketball player who grew up in the United States . The 6'1" combination point guard/shooting guard is known for his long-range shooting accuracy...
, Ed Cota
Ed Cota
Eduardo Enrique Cota is an American professional basketball player. The 6' 0", 195-lb. point guard played for Atlas Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski in Poland. He is currently living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina....
, Ademola Okulaja
Ademola Okulaja
Ademola Okulaja, is a former German professional basketball player. The last team he played for were the Brose Baskets from Germany...
, and Makhtar N'Diaye. During his sophomore and junior seasons, Carter helped North Carolina to consecutive ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
The ACC Men's Basketball Tournament is the conference championship tournament in basketball for the Atlantic Coast Conference . The tournament has been held every year since 1954, one year after the conference's creation. It is a single-elimination tournament and seeding is based on regular season...
titles and Final Four
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
appearances. He finished the 1997–98 season with s 15.6-points-per-game average and was named second-team All-American. In May 1998, Carter declared for the 1998 NBA Draft
1998 NBA Draft
The 1998 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1998 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This draft helped turn around three struggling franchises: the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, and the Toronto Raptors....
, following his classmate Jamison, who had declared earlier that spring.
Toronto Raptors (1998–2004)
The Raptors struggled in their early years as did their expansion cousins, the Vancouver GrizzliesVancouver Grizzlies
The Vancouver Grizzlies were a professional basketball team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were part of the Midwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Toronto Raptors, as part of the NBA's...
. After the acquisition of Carter through a draft day trade in 1998
1998 NBA Draft
The 1998 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1998 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This draft helped turn around three struggling franchises: the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, and the Toronto Raptors....
however, the team set league attendance records in 2000, 2001, and 2002 and the value of the Raptors franchise doubled during Carter's tenure as Raptor. Carter was instrumental in leading the Raptors to the playoffs in 2000 for the first time in franchise history. He also led them to a franchise high of 47 wins and their first ever playoff series win in 2001, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Carter was initially drafted by the NBA's Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
with the fifth overall pick, and then traded to the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
for the fourth overall pick, Antawn Jamison
Antawn Jamison
Antawn Cortez Jamison is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He currently plays power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a member of the USA National Team for the 2006 FIBA World Championships...
, his college teammate and good friend. Carter's rookie season was the shortened 50-game 1999 season, after the NBA locked out its players in 1998–99. Carter started almost every game for coach Butch Carter
Butch Carter
Clarence Eugene "Butch" Carter is a retired American basketball player and coach of the NBA...
, averaged 18.3 points per game
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
(ppg), and eventually won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award
NBA Rookie of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner receives the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which is named in honor of the Philadelphia Warriors head...
. The next year, Carter was selected to an All-Star Team for the first time, averaged 25.7 ppg, made the Third Team All-NBA, and showcased his athleticism and dunking abilities in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He won the contest by performing an array of dunks including a 360° windmill, a between the legs bounce dunk, and an "elbow in the rim" dunk (also known as a "cookie jar" dunk or the "honey dip". ESPN referred to the 2000 slam dunk contest as, "one of the most memorable contests in the entire run." Kobe Bryant, who was invited along with Vince Carter, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Julius Erving as judges for the 2007 slam dunk contest, said that among the judges in their prime, Carter would win in a dunk contest.
In Carter's first two seasons, he and his distant cousin Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady
Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons.Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He has also played for the Toronto...
formed a formidable one-two punch as Raptor teammates. The two led the Raptors to their first playoff berth in the 2000 NBA Playoffs
2000 NBA Playoffs
The 2000 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1999–2000 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers win their first championship in twelve years by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers...
, but they were swept in the first round by the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, in 3 games. Upon McGrady's departure to the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
as a free agent in a sign and trade deal, Carter became the Raptors' franchise player. L.A. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, whose team won several championships in the decade to follow, believed they could've competed for several championships if they had stayed together.
In 2000–01, his third season, Carter averaged a career-high 27.6 ppg, made the Second Team All-NBA, and was voted in as a starter in the 2001 NBA All-Star Game
2001 NBA All-Star Game
The 2001 NBA All-Star Game was a basketball matchup between the Eastern and Western Conference All-Stars of the NBA. It was held in front of a sellout crowd at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. This was the 50th edition of the annual event....
, while the Raptors finished the regular season with a franchise-record 47 wins. In the playoffs, the Raptors beat the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
3–2 in the first round, and advanced to the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals
2001 NBA Playoffs
The 2001 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2000–01 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers winning their second consecutive championship by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers...
to face off against the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
. Carter and Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
played in a seven-game series that see-sawed back and forth. Carter scored 50 points on Philly in game three and set a NBA playoff record for most three-point field goals made in one game. On the morning of Game Seven, Carter attended his graduation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. He had completed the requirements for his degree in African-American Studies the previous summer and said he felt receiving his diploma was personally significant. Television ratings for game seven soared as one of the highest watched in NBC's history for a non-finals game. As the Sixers and Raptors increased their double team pressures on Carter and Iverson respectively, the game winning shot came down to Carter who missed with 2.0 seconds remaining. Afterwards, he was heavily criticized for his decision to attend his graduation by both media and fans. In July 2011, Iverson reflected back on the series. “It was incredible. (Carter) had great games at home and I had some great games at home, but both of us were just trying to put our teams on our back and win basketball games. It is great just having those memories and being a part of something like that.”
In the summer of 2001, Carter signed a $94 million, six-year extension with the Raptors. In addition, Carter announced that he would be hosting a charity basketball game featuring fellow NBA stars that would be played at the Air Canada Centre
Air Canada Centre
The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar ....
in Toronto on August 3, 2001. The success of the first game being sold out encouraged Carter to make the charity game an annual summer event.
The next season was an injury-riddled one for Carter. He started in 60 games and he averaged 24.7 ppg. He was voted into the 2002 NBA All-Star Game
2002 NBA All-Star Game
The 2002 NBA All-Star Game was played on Sunday, February 10, 2002 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of the Philadelphia 76ers. The game was the 51st annual All-Star game. The Western All-Stars defeated the East 135-120. Kobe Bryant of the L.A. Lakers won the MVP award....
, but he could not participate due to injury. The Raptors did not fare well without their All-Star player. The team lost 17 of 18 games to drop to 30–38, then won 12 of their last 14 to finish at 42–40. Carter was injured during the 2002 NBA Playoffs
2002 NBA Playoffs
The 2002 NBA Playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2001–02 season. This would be the final postseason that held a best-of-5 first-round series; next year's postseason would see those series expanded to a best-of-7 format...
, and his team was defeated in the first round by the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
, in 5 games. During the 2003 NBA All-Star Game
2003 NBA All-Star Game
The 2003 NBA All-Star Game was the 52nd edition of the All-Star Game. The event was held at the Philips Arena in Atlanta. This was the last All-Star game to be hosted in an Eastern Conference arena until 2012.-Voting:...
, Carter gave up his starting All-Star spot to the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
' Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
to allow Jordan to make his final start as an All-Star. During his Raptors tenure, news came out and revealed that Carter had developed Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease also known as "jumper's knee
Jumper's Knee
Patellar tendinitis , is a relatively common cause of pain in the inferior patellar region in athletes...
," which drew criticism and questions from local media outlets and fans about Carter's long term durability as a NBA scorer.
After 50 games in the 2003-2004 season, Toronto was 25–25 and in a position to make the playoffs
2004 NBA Playoffs
The 2004 NBA Playoffs were the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2003–04 season. Consisting of 16 teams in two conferences, the playoffs involved about two months of play. The playoffs were conducted in seven-game series, with the team with the better record holding home court...
, but injuries to Jalen Rose, Alvin Williams, and Carter sent the Raptors plummeting down the standings and the Raptors fell 3 games short of making the playoffs. Carter's individual season performances was 22.5 ppg
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
but team-mate Alvin Williams
Alvin Williams
Alvin Leon Williams is a retired American professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association, and current Director of Player Development of the Toronto Raptors.-Basketball career:...
's knee injury unfortunately turned out to be career ending.
Trade to the Nets
In the 2004 off-season, G.M. Glen Glunwald and the entire coaching staff were fired after falling three games short of the eighth and final playoff spot in the previous season. Carter became frustrated with the Raptors' upper management. In particular, Carter was unhappy with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Raptors president Richard PeddieRichard Peddie
Richard A. Peddie is the President and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.Since taking over MLSE, he has tripled its value to over $1.5 billion...
. In a private meeting, Peddie reassured Carter that MLSE was serious in building a contender in Toronto and that he would pursue established players like point guard Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Stephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...
and centre Jamaal Magloire
Jamaal Magloire
Jamaal Dane Magloire is a Canadian professional basketball player who last played for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . The , center was selected out of the University of Kentucky by the Charlotte Hornets with the 19th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, after withdrawing...
. Carter was also given the impression that Peddie would consider Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
as a serious candidate for G.M., thinking he could attract star players to Toronto. Though Julius Erving flew into Toronto for an interview, interim G.M. McCloskey publicly disclosed a week prior that Erving was not really in the mix. Richard Peddie instead hired Rob Babcock
Rob Babcock
Rob Babcock is an assistant general manager with the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. He is most notably remembered as the former general manager of the Toronto Raptors. Brothers Pete and Dave are also employed by the NBA....
whose first priority in rebuilding the Raptors said was to "establish our philosophy," stating “we are not really worried about how many wins we get right away, or whether we make the playoffs within the first year or two." After hiring Sam Mitchell as new head coach, Babcock's first move was to select Rafael Araujo with the eighth overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft to fill in the centre position. He later signed guard Rafer Alston to a 5 year deal.
Consequently, much speculation arose whether Carter wanted to be traded. The Toronto Sun reported that Carter felt misled and felt the Raptors would never be an elite team under the current MLSE structure with Richard Peddie as Raptors president. Some NBA fans raised money to fly a “Keep Vince, Trade Peddie” banner over the Air Canada Centre just before Carter's annual charity game. When Rob Babcock was questioned about the trade speculations, he denied Carter asked for a trade but indiscreetly revealed Carter's agent had approached him for a trade request. During the 2004–05 season, new head coach Sam Mitchell
Sam Mitchell (basketball)
Samuel "Sam" E. Mitchell, Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player and a former head coach in the National Basketball Association . He is currently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Nets....
often benched Carter in the 4th quarter to emphasize the new team philosophy him and Babcock wanted players to adapt to, spurring rumors of fights between Carter and Mitchell and new point guard Rafer Alston.. On reduced playing time, Carter posted 15.9 ppg as a Raptor before his eventual trade.
On December 17, 2004, new Raptors General Manager Rob Babcock
Rob Babcock
Rob Babcock is an assistant general manager with the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. He is most notably remembered as the former general manager of the Toronto Raptors. Brothers Pete and Dave are also employed by the NBA....
traded Carter to the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Harding Mourning, Jr. is a former American professional basketball player, who played most of his 15-year NBA career for the Miami Heat....
, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams
Aaron Williams
Aaron Williams is an American former professional basketball player. He played at the power forward and center positions.-Basketball career:...
and two future first-round draft picks. Carter in his first game back to Toronto in 2004-2005 season was heavily booed and jeered by Raptors fans; some fans were found burning Vince Carter jerseys, while many donned No. 15 baby bibs, 'FUVC' t-shirts, and other merchandise that labelled Carter as "Wince" or as "immature," alluding to Carter's knee and ankle injuries and his dissent. Much like former Raptors teammate Tracy McGrady, Carter has been booed each time he has returned to Toronto. In early January 2005, when asked by TNT
Turner Network Television
Turner Network Television is an American cable television channel created by media mogul Ted Turner and currently owned by the Turner Broadcasting System division of Time Warner...
's John Thompson
John Thompson (basketball)
John R. Thompson, Jr. is an American former basketball coach for the Georgetown University Hoyas. He is now a professional radio and TV sports commentator...
if he always pushed himself as hard as he should, Carter replied, "In years past, no. I was fortunate to have the talent. You get spoiled when you're able to do a lot of things. You see that you don't have to work at it." Though Carter's comments were perceived by Raptors fans as his confession of quitting on the Raptors Thompson said the comments were misinterpreted, saying, "That boy never said to me, 'Coach, I just laid down and quit.' ...I was embarrassed and felt awful about it for his sake, because I knew what he was communicating to me... he was more expressing a desire of wanting to do better, as we all do." Despite Thompson's defense of Carter, the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
's Dave Feschuk in 2007 wrote that Carter "cheated on (the Raptors). He quit on the floor." Carter later stated his comments were misconstrued. On the eve of the Raptors and Nets' playoff series in 2007, Carter told New York's WFAN radio station, "One day, maybe the fans will understand how it all went down. That's all I can say."
In November 2011, nearly seven years since the trade to the Nets, Carter, along with his cousin Tracy McGrady, addressed the Toronto audience in an interview when asked about being booed in Toronto. "They watched myself and Tracy grow up. And when we left they still got to see (us) flourish and become (who we are). For me, I looked at it as, a young child growing up into a grown man and moving on. And I get it. Leaving, hurt a lot of people. It hurt me because I tell you what... I accomplished a lot, I learned a lot, I became the person and player of who I am today because of that experience, through the coaches, players, and everything else. I get it... but regardless I still love the city. I have friends there and my heart is still there because that's where it all started."
New Jersey Nets (2004–2009)
As a Net, Carter produced some of his highest numbers. He scored more than 23.5 ppg and attained career high averages in rebounds per game (5.8) and assists per game (4.7) while missing just 11 games in his four full seasons as a Net. Carter helped lead the New Jersey Nets to three playoff runs and is currently in the top 10 of 19 different all-time Nets statistical categories, including points, points per game (1st all-time of NBA Nets), defensive rebounds, assists, turnover rate, 3-point field goals, offensive rating, player efficiency rating, and win shares.The 2004–05 season looked gloomy at first for the Nets. Their star Kidd was recovering from his own microfracture surgery and the team got off to a 2–11 start, and even with Jason Kidd returning from injury, the outlook was bleak with Jefferson requiring season ending surgery. However, after the trade, Carter rallied the Nets from more than 10 games out of the playoffs to gain the final seed in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NBA)
The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams, organized in three divisions of five teams each.The three division winners and the non-division winner with the best record are seeded 1 through 4 for the playoffs in order of their records, with all...
.
In the 2005–06 NBA season, the Carter-Kidd duo co-lead the Nets to 49 wins, an Atlantic Division title, and the number three seed in the playoffs, while averaging 24.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He led the Nets to the second round of the playoffs before losing to the eventual NBA champions Miami Heat in five games. Carter averaged 29.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 11 playoff games. Carter was also named to the All-Star Team in 2006.
In the 2006–07 NBA season Carter was named, along with teammate Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd
Jason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball point guard who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oakland, California, Kidd played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley and was drafted second overall by the Dallas...
, as a reserve to the 2007 NBA All-Star Game
2007 NBA All-Star Game
The 2007 NBA All-Star Game was played on Sunday, February 18, 2007 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas's Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. It was the 56th annual All-Star Game. It was the first time the All-Star Game was played in a city without an NBA franchise and...
, after losing out on a starting spot to Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Jay Arenas, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . He plays as a point guard and shooting guard....
by 3,010 votes. Both Carter and Kidd made their eighth All-Star game appearance.
In a 120–114 overtime win over the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
, April 7, 2007, Carter and Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd
Jason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball point guard who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oakland, California, Kidd played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley and was drafted second overall by the Dallas...
became the first teammates in over 18 years to record triple-doubles in the same game since the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
' Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
and Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
achieved this feat against the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in 1989. Carter finished with 46 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kidd finished with 10 points, tied a career-high with 16 rebounds, and tied a season-high with 18 assists. Carter's triple double is the second highest total for a triple double, second only to Alvan Adams
Alvan Adams
Alvan Leigh Adams is a retired American professional basketball player. After starring at the University of Oklahoma, the 6'9" power forward/center was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 4th pick of the 1975 NBA Draft...
of the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
who tallied 47 points and 18 rebounds and 12 assists over 30 years ago.
After the Nets eliminated the Raptors, the Nets were eliminated from the playoffs by Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
(lost series 4–2). During the season, the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and Nets had discussed a trade in February around Carter, which was ended with the trading deadline. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
when asked which player he would want to play after playing with Kobe and Wade replied, "I'm gonna have to go with Vince Carter. I think he needs a player like me that can get him to the next level. And I can get him to the next level." Barkley responded by accusing O'Neil of tampering
Tampering
Tampering may refer to:* Tampering , intentional modification of products in a way that would make them harmful to the consumer* Tampering , the practice, often illegal, of professional sports teams negotiating with athletes of other teams...
. In the off-season, the two teams again revisited the subject but on July 1, 2007 Carter signed a 4-year, $61.8 million contract with the Nets.
For the 2007–08 season, Jason Kidd was traded mid season and Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
claimed that Carter's game was on the decline due to his bad knees. In a 2008 ESPN special later that year, Carter was named behind Dominique Wilkins, Julius Erving, and Michael Jordan as being one of the 'greatest dunkers of all time.' In it, Reggie Miller
Reggie Miller
Reginald Wayne "Reggie" Miller is a retired American professional basketball player who played his entire 18-year National Basketball Association career with the Indiana Pacers...
noted "Carter is probably the greatest dunker in the NBA I have ever seen." ESPN's Chris Broussard did a follow up piece in 2011 and called Vince Carter as the greatest in-game dunker of all time in the NBA.
Carter ended up finishing strong in 2008 with a season average of at least 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists a game, a season accomplishment unique to him, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James He also led the Nets in freethrow percentage, assists and steals per game (81.6%, 5.1, 1.2). Rod Thorn credited Carter for becoming a leader since the All-Star break..
For the 2008–09 season
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
, the Nets decided to rebuild and Carter was voted team captain to help mentor the young players. Coach Lawrence Frank commented that Carter had "served the term 'captain' very honorably. Coming with a team that has veterans from other teams, some young guys coming straight from school, a couple of 20-year-olds and one 21-year-old. Showing them how you handle every day and the professionalism you approach your job [with], his disposition, his character. Plus, he's played at a very high level. He's accepted different roles on the team, at different times, to let other guys thrive and play at a high level, and yet has shown that he still is one of the elite players in the league." Two such players Carter helped mentor were Devin Harris and Brook Lopez. Brook Lopez finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year and Devin Harris made his 1st All-Star team and narrowly missed winning the NBA Most Improved Player award. Carter finished his last season as a Net scoring around the 20 points-five boards-five assists per game mark which were only shared among five other players: LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Stephen Jackson, and Kobe Bryant.
Orlando Magic (2009–2010)
On June 25, 2009, the day of the NBA Draft, Carter was traded to his hometown-team, the Orlando MagicOrlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
with Ryan Anderson
Ryan Anderson (basketball)
Ryan James Anderson is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic. Anderson previously played the power forward position at California....
for Rafer Alston
Rafer Alston
Rafer Jamel Alston is an American former professional basketball player who last played with Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association. He previously played for six NBA teams...
, Tony Battie
Tony Battie
Demetrius Antonio Battie is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Philadelphia 76ers.-High school and college career:...
and Courtney Lee
Courtney Lee
Courtney Lee is an American basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 22nd pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft...
; the Magic were searching for a go-to scorer who could take pressure off Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard
Dwight David Howard is an American basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . Howard, who usually plays center but can also play power forward, had an outstanding high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy...
. The Nets without Carter ended up going 12-70.
Carter made his season debut with the Magic on October 28, 2009 against the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
at home, recording 15 points and 2 assists to help the Magic defeat the Sixers. On February 8, 2010, Carter scored a season-high 48 points in a 123-117 win against the New Orleans Hornets, including 34 points in the second half to help rally the Magic back from a 17-point deficit.
Carter helped lead the Magic to the 2010 NBA Playoffs
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
, sweeping the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
and the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
in the first two rounds, before falling to the Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference Finals in 6 games. This marked the first time Carter made it to the Conference Finals.
Phoenix Suns (2010–present)
On December 18, 2010, Carter was traded to the Phoenix SunsPhoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
along with Marcin Gortat
Marcin Gortat
Marcin Gortat, pronounced "MAHR-cheen GOR-taht" , also known as the Polish Hammer, is a Polish professional basketball player who plays the center position for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. The 6'11", 240 pound power forward/center is the son of boxer Janusz Gortat...
, Mickael Pietrus
Mickaël Piétrus
Mickaël Piétrus is a Caribbean-French professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. He is listed at 6'6", 215 pounds and plays both the small forward and shooting guard positions...
, a 2011 first-round draft pick, and $3 million, for Hedo Türkoğlu, Jason Richardson
Jason Richardson
Jason Anthoney "J-Rich" Richardson is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association.A 6'6", 225 lb...
, and Earl Clark
Earl Clark
Earl Rashad Clark is an American professional basketball player. Clark played collegiate basketball for the University of Louisville men's basketball team and was drafted 14th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2009 NBA Draft....
. When asked how he felt about being traded from Orlando, Carter replied, "They gave me an opportunity to play at home and they felt it was time to go in a different direction. You can't be mad about that. They've given me an opportunity to play somewhere else and still chase that dream.
On January 16th, 2011, Carter scored his 20,000th point, becoming only the 37th NBA player to reach that plateau.
2000 Summer Olympics
During the 2000 Summer Olympics2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in Sydney, Carter performed a memorable dunk when he jumped over 7-foot-2 (2.18 m) French
France national basketball team
The French national basketball team is the national basketball team representing France. It is administrated by the Fédération Française de Basket-Ball . The team has been competitive, but has yet to win a major international tournament...
center Frédéric Weis
Frédéric Weis
Frédéric Weis is a retired French professional basketball player.-Pro career:Weis has played for Unicaja Málaga and Iurbentia Bilbao of the Spanish ACB League, PAOK Thessaloniki in the Greek League, and Limoges in the French League...
. Teammate Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd
Jason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball point guard who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oakland, California, Kidd played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley and was drafted second overall by the Dallas...
said it was "One of the best plays I've ever seen." The French media later dubbed it "le dunk de la mort" ("the Dunk of Death"). The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal that year.
Awards and achievements
- 8× NBA All-Star selection: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 (did not play in 2002 due to injury)
- Olympic gold medal: 2000
- 2× All-NBA:
- Second Team: 2001
- Third Team: 2000
- NBA Slam Dunk Champion: 2000
- NBA All-Rookie First Team: 1999
- NBA Rookie of the Year AwardNBA Rookie of the Year AwardThe National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner receives the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which is named in honor of the Philadelphia Warriors head...
: 1999 - The Sporting NewsThe Sporting NewsSporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1999
NBA playoff records
- Co-holds NBA playoff record for most three-point field goals made in one game: 9 (May 11, 2001 vs. Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, Eastern Conference Semifinals) - Most three-point field goals made in one half: 8 (same game as above)
- Most consecutive three-point field goals made in one game: 8 (same game as above)
- Most consecutive three-point field goals made in one half: 8 (same game as above)
New Jersey Nets franchise records
- Most three-point field goals made in one game: 9 (December 11, 2006 vs. Memphis GrizzliesMemphis GrizzliesThe Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
) - Most points scored in one season: 2,070 (2006–07)
- Most consecutive 20 or more point games: 23 (2005–06)
- He is the first Net to score at least 2,000 points in a single season. (2006–07)
Career highs
- Points: 51 (2 times)
- Field goals made: 20 vs. Milwaukee 01/14/00
- Field goals attempted: 36 at Philadelphia 01/21/01
- Three point field goals made: 9 vs. Memphis 12/11/06
- Three point field goals attempted: 20 vs. Memphis 12/11/06
- Free throws made: 23 at Miami 12/23/05
- Free throws attempted: 27 at Phoenix 12/30/00
- Offensive rebounds: 8 vs. Chicago 11/05/05
- Defensive rebounds: 13 (2 times)
- Total rebounds: 16 vs. Washington 04/07/07
- Assists: 14 at Milwaukee 01/09/09
- Steals: 6 (3 times)
- Blocks: 6 vs. Chicago 03/28/99
- Minutes played: 63 vs. Sacramento 02/23/01
Video game, TV and film appearances
- Appeared on the cover of NBA Live 2004NBA Live 2004NBA Live 2004 is the 2004 installment of the NBA Live video games series. The cover features Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors . The game was developed by EA Sports and released on October 14, 2003...
. - Appeared on the cover of NBA Inside Drive 2002.
- Appeared in the 2002 film Like MikeLike MikeLike Mike is a 2002 film, directed by John Schultz and starring Lil' Bow Wow, Morris Chestnut, Jonathan Lipnicki and Brenda Song. It was produced in association with NBA Entertainment and features many cameo appearances by NBA stars...
, where the fictional Los Angeles Knights had to beat Carter and the Toronto Raptors in order to gain the 8th seed in the playoffs. - Appeared in FabolousFabolousJohn David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
' 2002 music video for "This Is My Party", and Glenn LewisGlenn LewisGlenn Lewis is a Canadian R&B and neo soul singer-songwriter. Originally planning to pursue a career in animation as a teenager, Lewis instead decided to focus on music. His father was a member of the musical group Crack of Dawn...
' 2003 music video for "Back for MoreBack for More (Glenn Lewis song)"Back for More" is an R&B/hip-hop song by Glenn Lewis featuring Kardinal Offishall. Produced by Dre & Vidal, the single was released on September 30, 2003. It was originally the first single from his unreleased album of the same name.-Music video:...
".
Personal life
Carter has donated to his high school, Mainland, as well as the foundation he established upon being drafted into the NBA in 1998, The Embassy of Hope. On February 3, 2007, a statue of Carter was unveiled at the Mainland.Carter visited with the Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
basketball team in Pittsburgh as a show of support after its shooting incident in September 2006.
He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi is a fraternity and is the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. The founders were three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos...
fraternity.
Carter married Ellen Rucker, a doctor of chiropractic medicine, in July 2004; the couple divorced in 2006. They have one daughter, Kai Michelle Carter. born on June 1, 2005.
While with the Nets, Carter lived in Saddle River, New Jersey
Saddle River, New Jersey
Saddle River is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 3,152. Saddle River has the second-highest per-capita income in the state...
on the same street as Jason Kidd, and the two played ping pong and went bowling together.
In January 2010, he opened a restaurant, Vince Carter's, in Daytona, Florida.
Regular season
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 1998–99
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
| 50 || 49 || 35.2 || .450 || .288 || .761 || 5.7 || 3.0 || 1.1 || 1.5 || 18.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1999–00
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 82 || 82 || 38.1 || .465 || .403 || .791 || 5.8 || 3.9 || 1.3 || 1.1 || 25.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2000–01
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 75 || 75 || 39.7 || .460 || .408 || .765 || 5.5 || 3.9 || 1.5 || 1.1 || 27.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2001–02
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 60 || 60 || 39.8 || .428 || .387 || .798 || 5.2 || 4.0 || 1.6 || .7 || 24.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2002–03
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 43 || 42 || 34.2 || .467 || .344 || .806 || 4.4 || 3.3 || 1.1 || .9 || 20.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2003–04
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 73 || 73 || 38.2 || .417 || .383 || .806 || 4.8 || 4.8 || 1.2 || .9 || 22.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 20 || 20 || 30.4 || .411 || .322 || .694 || 3.3 || 3.1 || 1.2 || .8 || 15.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 57 || 56 || 38.9 || .462 || .425 || .817 || 5.9 || 4.7 || 1.5 || .6 || 27.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 79 || 79 || 36.8 || .430 || .341 || .799 || 5.8 || 4.3 || 1.2 || .7 || 24.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 82 || 82 || 38.1 || .454 || .357 || .802 || 6.0 || 4.8 || 1.0 || .4 || 25.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 76 || 72 || 38.9 || .456 || .359 || .816 || 6.0 || 5.1 || 1.2 || .4 || 21.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 80 || 80 || 36.8 || .437 || .385 || .817 || 5.1 || 4.7 || 1.0 || .5 || 20.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| style="text-align:left;"| Orlando
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
| 75 || 74 || 30.8 || .428 || .367 || .840 || 3.9 || 3.1 || .7 || .2 || 16.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| style="text-align:left;"| Orlando
| 22 || 22 || 30.2 || .470 || .346 || .747 || 4.1 || 2.9 || .9 || .1 || 15.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
| style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
| 51 || 41 || 27.2 || .422 || .366 || .735 || 3.6 || 1.6 || .9 || .3 || 13.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 925 || 907 || 36.4 || .445 || .374 || .797 || 5.2 || 4.0 || 1.2 || .7 || 22.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| All-Star
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 7 || 5 || 20.7 || .477 || .375 || .600 || 2.6 || 1.9 || .9 || .1 || 10.1
Playoffs
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 1999–00
2000 NBA Playoffs
The 2000 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1999–2000 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers win their first championship in twelve years by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers...
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
| 3 || 3 || 39.7 || .300 || .100 || .871 || 6.0 || 6.3 || 1.0 || 1.3 || 19.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2000–01
2001 NBA Playoffs
The 2001 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2000–01 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers winning their second consecutive championship by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers...
| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto
| 12 || 12 || 44.9 || .436 || .410 || .784 || 6.5 || 4.7 || 1.7 || 1.7 || 27.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 4 || 4 || 44.8 || .365 || .316 || .861 || 8.5 || 5.8 || 2.2 || .0 || 26.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
2006 NBA Playoffs
The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2005–06 season. The Miami Heat won the first championship in the history of the franchise by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the 2006 NBA Finals...
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 11 || 11 || 40.9 || .463 || .241 || .796 || 7.0 || 5.3 || 1.8 || .6 || 29.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07
2007 NBA Playoffs
The 2007 NBA Playoffs was the postseason to the National Basketball Association's 2006–2007 season.There were four rounds of postseason action, all of them in a best-of-seven format, with teams seeded on a bracket. The team with the better record wasn't necessarily the basis of seeding teams in...
| style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey
| 12 || 12 || 40.6 || .396 || .389 || .693 || 6.8 || 5.3 || .9 || .6 || 22.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| style="text-align:left;"| Orlando
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
| 14 || 14 || 34.4 || .402 || .235 || .826 || 4.2 || 2.3 || .9 || .2 || 15.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 56 || 56 || 40.3 || .415 || .312 || .788 || 6.2 || 4.5 || 1.3 || .7 || 23.3
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career 3-point scoring leaders
- List of National Basketball Association players with 50 or more points in a playoff game