The most surprising player from each NBA team this season
By Connor Learn
Memphis Grizzlies: Vince Carter
Vince Carter celebrated his 40th birthday last week. The next day he went out and did what most men do after their 40th birthday and dropped 13 points in 24 minutes on the Trail Blazers. Even in he enters his fifth decade on earth, Carter is still punking defenders. His transition from star to role player as he has aged has been admirable. Vince Carter may just be immortal.
Once one of the league’s most popular players, Carter hasn’t averaged over 20 points per game since he was 32. During these last eight seasons, he has relied on the things he can still do well. He’s still an above-average shooter, can post young guys when needed, and is smart enough to play defense as his athleticism has dwindled. For a veteran team like the Grizzlies, Carter is an ideal fit to come off the bench.
The Grizzlies have had a hole on the wing for large stretches of this season. Max-contract signee Chandler Parsons has only played roughly 50 minutes per week this season during his cautious recovery schedule. He is still recovering from a “minor hybrid” microfracture operation from last April. As a result, Carter has been forced to play significantly more than he has had to in his three seasons in Memphis. And he has played well enough to keep them afloat-extremely impressive for a middle aged man.