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Memphis Grizzlies Midseason Grades: Vince Carter

By Stacy Elliott

Dec 23, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) holds the ball as Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 100-91. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) holds the ball as Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 100-91. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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At the NBA regular season’s midpoint, we are grading each Memphis Grizzlies player based on his performance and progress through the first half of the season. Today we grade Vince Carter

When the Memphis Grizzlies acquired the eight-time NBA All-Star prior to the beginning of last season, it was with hopes that Vince Carter might be able to sustain some of the age-defying production he gave the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2013-14 season. Memphis was most interested in Vinsanity’s proficient 40 percent three-point shooting, a perpetual need for a ground-and-pound Grizzlies team on the cusp of title contention.

Over the last season and a half of NBA basketball, injuries and Father Time have taken their toll on the former slam-dunk god and his declining three-point shooting. Statistically speaking, this season has been the least effective of his entire career in terms of quantity and quality with Carter only averaging 13 minutes and around three points per game. His shooting average splits check in at .306/.237/.864, currently on pace for the worst field goal and three-point averages of his career. 

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Despite struggling with his shot in the first half of the season, Carter has given the Grizzlies some valuable minutes off the bench this year, and more than a few moments have been reminiscent of his ½-man-½-amazing heyday including some throwback jams. Carter has also been a solid rebounder for the Grizzlies averaging about five boards per 36 minutes, and he consistently takes care of the ball, with an 8.0 turnover ratio, third best on the team behind Mike Conley and Courtney Lee.

VC adequately defends multiple positions, which makes him a valuable option for Coach Dave Joerger when he needs to rearrange various lineups. Carter has not had to expend too much energy thanks to limited playing time and several games off, so he should be well rested and ready to elevate his three-point shooting for the Grizz come playoffs time.

Grade so far:

C

Highlight of the season so far:

When Vince Carter electrified the entire planet with his infamous “Dunk of Death” during the 2000 Olympic games, Boston Celtics big man Jared Sullinger was only eight years old. Earlier this season in a matchup against Boston, Sullinger joined a long list of players -that spans multiple decades and generations- who’ve been straight up yammed on by Carter. And a happy belated birthday to Vince who turned 39 years old last week.

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