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10 stars you might have forgot played for the Memphis Grizzlies

By Amaar Burton

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 18: Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on January 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 18: Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on January 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 05: Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies in action against Jose Calderon #3 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 05: Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies in action against Jose Calderon #3 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3. Vince Carter (2014-17)

Grizzlies fans surely won’t forget Vince Carter, who played three seasons in Memphis and was a valuable contributor on three playoff teams.

But those who don’t follow the Grizzlies might forget about Carter’s time with the team, as it coincided with a sharp decline in stats and highlights from the former superstar.

Carter became globally famous with the Toronto Raptors for his incredible dunks, but he was also a legit franchise player who helped Toronto become something of a contender for the first time in its history. He maintained that level of production and accolades with the New Jersey Nets.

When Carter left the Nets for the Orlando Magic in his early-30s, he dropped from a 20-points-per-game scorer into the teens. When he went to the Phoenix Suns and then the Dallas Mavericks, he began coming off the bench more often.

When Carter got to the Grizzlies at 37 years old, he went from a double-digit scorer to single digits. In three seasons, Carter averaged 6.9 points per game for the Grizzlies.

While he was no longer a star or a nightly highlight-maker, Carter still provided veteran leadership and clutch shooting for Memphis. And every now and then, he’d show that he could still get above the rim and put a defender on YouTube.

Carter went on to play three more seasons after leaving Memphis, finally retiring this year at 43 years old. He’s the only NBA player to play in four different decades, from the 1990s to 2020.

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