Beale Street Bears
Fansided

NBA Free-Agency: 4 Reasons the Memphis Grizzlies Should Bring Back Vince Carter

By Christian Dudley

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 13: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half at State Farm Arena on March 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 13: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half at State Farm Arena on March 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Memphis Grizzlies NBA Free-Agency Vince Carter
The Memphis Grizzlies should consider signing Vince Carter in NBA Free-Agency (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Attendance Boost

As previously mentioned, any signing of Vince Carter has a publicity stunt tied to it, even though he is still a valuable reserve contributor heading into his 22nd season. Attached to the publicity stunt is an easy attendance booster.

When analyzing the Memphis Grizzlies organization, one part of being a small-market team is obviously attendance issues. In 2018-19, as the Grizzlies missed the NBA Playoffs for a second consecutive season due to a 33-49 overall record, Memphis ranked 26th of 30 teams in total attendance.

It was not just the losing record that hurt them. This is the norm. Even when the Memphis Grizzlies were riding their seven consecutive seasons of reaching the postseason, they were situated in the league’s bottom one-third in attendance. Winning does help, and being 20th is still much better than 26th or worse, but the goal should be selling out FedEx Forum.

The Grizzlies have already had Vince Carter one their roster for three seasons, and though that brought a lot of new attention and eyes in the franchise’s direction, being the final season of his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career would enable the team to achieve those sell-outs. It could then happen against teams not named the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors.

Even more than single-game ticket sales would become greatly impacted. This would tremendously boost the season ticket sales, too. What is better for the locals than to witness Vince Carter playing in one of the final games of his prolific career? How about 41 home instances?!

With people flying in from across the globe or even some local Memphians getting out of the house and filling FedEx Forum on a regular basis, this really would provide an attendance boost for the Memphis Grizzlies. This alone is reason enough to throw an offer to “Vinsanity” as soon as NBA Free-Agency opens at the end of this month.

Home/Grizzlies Free Agency