Memphis Grizzlies’ guard/forward Vince Carter has defied father time, logic and all doubt this season, not only by playing into his age 40 season—a rarity in NBA history—but producing as well!
However, the man once dubbed “half-man, half-amazing” may have found his highlight of the year last night when Carter blocked four San Antonio Spurs shot attempts including this dazzling flurry that had announcers, the crowd and anyone with a soul on their feet.
Vince Carter! 40 years old! pic.twitter.com/P3XiZG8585
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) February 7, 2017
Three things stood out in particular about this night and stat line from the 40-year-old Carter.
Vince Carter is 40-years old and playing in the NBA
Carter is one of only 18 players in NBA history to play into their 40s. Among them are names you’d expect like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Willis and Robert Parish, men noted for their almost manic desire to play into their mid-40s, old timers like Bob Cousy and BAA oddity Nat Hickey and of course, recent examples like Dikembe Mutombo, Grant Hill and Kurt Thomas.
Carter is not only defying history by playing into his 40s… he’s producing! Carter’s current 2.8 Win Shares would place him seventh all-time among individual seasons by a 40+ year old.
Vince Carter had four blocks
Not exactly known for his defensive prowess—particularly at the rim—Carter’s last game with four or more blocks came in April 2009 when Carter, then a member of the hapless New Jersey Nets, rejected four Charlotte Bobcats shots.
Before that, we have to go back to 2005, Carter’s debut year in the Garden State, to find another instance of Carter having four or more blocks in a game.
Overall, Carter has only 21 games with four or more blocks; 19 of those came when he was in his 20s, one came when he was 32 and now, last night.
Vince Carter is 40-years old and had four blocks in a game
Combining points No. 1 and No. 2 gives us perhaps the craziest aspect of last night’s performance.
Vince Carter. 6-foot-6. In his age 40 season. Blocked four shots.
Read that back.
Looking at the list of previous 4+ block games from 40+ year olds, we see just how astounding Carter’s night was:
| Player | Age | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Vince Carter | 40-011 | 2017-02-06 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 42-289 | 2009-04-10 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 41-263 | 2008-03-14 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 41-259 | 2008-03-10 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 41-249 | 2008-02-29 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 41-246 | 2008-02-26 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 40-201 | 2007-01-12 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 40-199 | 2007-01-10 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 40-189 | 2006-12-31 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 40-181 | 2006-12-23 |
| Karl Malone | 40-109 | 2003-11-10 |
| Robert Parish | 42-216 | 1996-04-02 |
| Robert Parish | 42-214 | 1996-03-31 |
| Robert Parish | 42-209 | 1996-03-26 |
| Robert Parish | 41-071 | 1994-11-09 |
| Robert Parish | 40-169 | 1994-02-15 |
| Robert Parish | 40-079 | 1993-11-17 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 41-348 | 1989-03-30 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 41-314 | 1989-02-24 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 41-312 | 1989-02-22 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 41-279 | 1989-01-20 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 41-267 | 1989-01-08 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 40-323 | 1988-03-04 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 40-302 | 1988-02-12 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 40-237 | 1987-12-09 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com
That list features some of the NBA’s most feared defensive big men of all-time, stalwarts of defense, protectors of the rim, giants among men.
Oh, and also Vince Carter.
Next: Someone compared Yogi Ferrell to J.J. Barea and now I hate him
Half-man, half-amazing
If last night’s performance is our lasting memory of Vince Carter’s final season in the NBA, I’ll be glad.
Carter will ride off into the sunset etching his name in the annals of time with one of the most improbable, unbelievable, unexpected nights in NBA history.
Half-man, half-amazing, indeed.