In the history of the NBA, there have been athletes who have inspired generations, even when their productivity in the twilight of their careers was no longer the same as during their primes. Their mentality and passion set them apart, forcing them to make a meaningful, winning impact for the team. Vince Carter was someone who perfectly embodied that spirit.
In a career that spanned across 22 seasons, Carter’s production might have seen a huge downfall towards the end, but his dedication left a lasting impression on his teammates. Jeff Teague saw this firsthand during their brief time together for the Atlanta Hawks, where he witnessed a 43-year-old VC persistently pushing himself to make an impact as if he were in his twenties.
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Jeff was stunned by Vince’s dedication
Over his last two seasons in the NBA, Carter’s scoring average dipped even below the 7.5 points per game range. However, those numbers do not tell the whole story. His durability stood out, evidenced by the fact that Vince played 136 out of the possible 164 regular-season games in those two years combined.
Interestingly, most veterans expect to provide a mentorship role off the bench, but if Teague is to be believed, Carter was very different. When Jeff made his way to the Hawks midway through the 2019-20 season from the Minnesota Timberwolves, he initially found it amusing that an aging Vince demanded to stay on the floor. However, his perspective changed quickly.
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On his podcast, Teague recalled how Carter’s relentless desire to contribute left a lasting impression on him. So much so that JT started believing that if more players had that hunger not to surrender, Atlanta, which won just 20 games that season, could have actually made the playoffs.
“Vince Carter was funny as hell, bro. I’ve never seen a n—a so old that still wanted to play the whole game,” Teague recalled with a subtle smile on his face, on an episode of his “Club 520” podcast. “I’m like, ‘Goddamn Vince, you’re 47!’ He’s like, ‘What that they keep taking me out for? Damn n—a you ain’t come out. S–t man, you don’t wanna win.’ You’re 43, in year 22, and you still don’t wanna come out?”
VC was all about showcasing a grit and grind mentality
Of course, Carter’s career is remembered just as much for what he achieved as for what he did not. Known for his breathtaking athleticism and gravity-defying dunks, Vince was the face of the league’s highlight reels for over a decade.
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However, some former players from the same era have argued that with greater diligence, Carter could have maximized his immense potential — from leading the league statistical categories, to winning MVP awards, and even carrying his teams deep into the playoffs.
Eventually, his hard-earned All-Star selections, Olympic gold medal (2000 Sydney Olympics) and eventual Hall of Fame induction shine brightly in his resume. Nevertheless, admissions like these from former teammates like Teague highlight that Carter was a true professional and winner in addition to being a highlight machine.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.