Few, if any, can claim more authority in the field of dunking than Vince Carter.
His exploits at the rim over the course of 22 seasons are the stuff of legend, earning the fifth overall selection of the 1998 NBA Draft the nickname “Half Man, Half Amazing.” Carter’s performance at the 2000 NBA Dunk Contest, which he won, is considered the pinnacle of the art form and is credited by some for saving the event from irrelevance and cancelation.
And Carter’s dunk over 7-2 French center Frederic Weis, the “the Dunk of Death” as it is known in Weis’ home country, at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney is widely considered the the most iconic dunk in the history of the sport.
The eight-time All-Star was much more than a one-trick player -- you don’t last 22 years in the NBA simply off athleticism -- though there is no question that when most fans think of Vince Carter, they think of dunks. So if you can manage to pull off a throwdown that garners Carter’s respect, you know you’ve done something spectacular.
It only took Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe six games to earn that honor.
Carter went off script during his weekly “Upper Room” segment on ESPN’s NBA Today -- he’s now an analyst for the network -- in which he selects the best dunk of the previous week to give the award to Sharpe’s one-handed assault on the rim in Portland’s 125-111 victory versus the Rockets on October 28.
“There’s levels to this!” exclaimed Carter of Sharpe’s dunk. “Any time you’re looking at the rim, that is called the ‘Upper Room.’ That is the Upper Room, that’s what it’s about. It’s levels to this.”
Carter went on to explain over the protests of his less-informed colleagues that you’ve entered rarified air when you can make some of the most impressive athletes who have ever lived stand up and take notice.
“When your teammates and other people have to do like this ‘Wait, what?’ it’s levels,” said Carter. “Shaedon Sharpe, London, Ontario’s own, welcome.”
Sharpe, one of the more reserved 19 year-olds you’ll come across, was genuinely touched by Carter’s comments. While praise is always nice, praise from arguably the best to ever do it hits a little bit different.
“I thought it was pretty cool knowing that Vince Carter seen the video,” said Sharpe. “He’s one of, I’d say, the bounciest players to ever come out the game and play. I think it’s pretty cool seeing that, seeing his reaction to the video.”
What made the praise even more special is the fact that Carter played his first six seasons in Toronto with the Raptors, where he earned the nickname “Air Canada” for his ample abilities in the air, in Sharpe’s native country. So the numerous shoutouts to Sharpe’s hometown of London, Ontario from one of the most famous ballers to ply his trade in the Great White North made Carter’s comments especially satisfying.
“As a young kid growing up watching basketball, used to watch him play, make all these crazy plays,” said Sharpe, who has already drawn comparisons to Carter. “Really studied him and how he plays, especially with his athleticism. I think it’s pretty cool.”