3 NBA legends you forgot played for the Brooklyn Nets

2. Vince Carter (2004-2008)

When you think of Vince Carter, you think of one of the best dunkers the NBA has ever had. You also probably think of “Vinsanity” and the Toronto Raptors. Some may overlook his time spent as a Net, but during his time with the team, the trio of Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, and Carter managed to make some noise in the league.

Carter was traded by the Raptors to the Nets in 2004. In Carter’s first 57 games with the Nets he averaged 27.5 points a game, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists to help lead the Nets to the playoffs. February of that season proved to be his best stretch because he would put up 30 points a game, earning him Player of the Month.

The most memorable moment of Carter’s time with the Nets has to be when he faced off against his old team the Raptors in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. This matchup proved to be both equally exciting for the fans and Carter because Carter and the Raptors weren’t on the best of terms since his split from the team.

The teams would split the first two games in Toronto, but when the series went back to New Jersey, Raptors’ fans were on the receiving end of Vinsanity. Carter went off for 37 points and got a triple-double from Jason Kidd, as the Nets beat the Raptors by 13 points. Game 4 was no different. Carter scored 27 points and the Nets beat the Raptors by 21 points.

The Nets closed out the series in Game 6, barely beating the Raptors 98-97. They would eventually lose in the second round to the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by superstar LeBron James.  Being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs became the norm for the Nets during Carter’s time with the team. But, individually, Carter continued to fill up the stat sheet. During his time with the team, Carter became an All-Star three-time and is currently the Nets’ third-leading scorer in franchise history.

Carter was traded to the Orlando Magic in 2009 for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee.