Vince Carter Has Become Newest Member of The 2000 Club
By Blake Meyer
During a career full of highlight dunks and supreme athleticism, Vince Carter has quietly become the fifth member of the 2,000 3-pointer club.
Be honest with yourself. Really, really honest. You didn’t see this one coming. You can say you did, but I don’t believe you, and I’m not quite sure you believe yourself. Back in 2001 when Vince Carter dunked over Frederic Weis, or in the same year when he put on the greatest dunk contest performance in history. You weren’t thinking to yourself, “Forget all that nonsense, you know what this guy is AMAZING at? 3-pointers.”
There’s nothing wrong with that though, you aren’t alone. Over the course of his career, one thing Carter has proved is sometimes it pays to stick around awhile.
The now 40-year old has averaged a very consistent 1.5 3-pointers per game over his career. Now in his 19th year, he has joined Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry as the only people ever to make 2,000 3-pointers in their career. That’s nothing to shake a stick at. All of those other guys on the list are known as great shooters. Carter is breaking the mold, once again.
From Dunk Champ to Three Point Specialist:
One thing that has really helped his case was his willingness to come to Memphis as more of a three point specialist. Since coming aboard, 54 percent of his total shots have been of the three point variety. Well above his career average of 24 percent. To put that in to comparison the Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson (43 percent) and Stephen Curry (44 percent), haven’t come anywhere near that over the course of their young careers.
As with everything else Carter does, he excels. Proving that age is just a number, the eight time All-Star decided that Wednesday was as good of a day as any to add a new award to his mantle. With 2:35 left in the second quarter, Carter made his second 3-pointer of the game cementing his place in history as a member of the 2,000 three-pointers club. Assisted by Andrew Harrison, Carter took the uncontested jumper and sunk it with ease. As he ran down the court, he was met by high-fives from teammates.
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Much like Bernie Mac in the “Mr. 3000” movie, there is a small part of me that hopes Carter starts referring to himself as “Mr. 2000”. With all of the nicknames that he already has (Half man Half amazing, Air Canada, Vinsanity), Mr. 2000 would fit right in.
On that note we salute you, Mr. 2000, for everything you’ve done during your time in this league. Keep doing you, keep being amazing, and in the wise words of Shae Serrano I hope you continue to “Shoot Your Shot.”