[BallGawd01Participant]

Someone just asked me this interesting question and I literally didn’t have a response, Tmac or Vince Carter? These two are tow of the most polarizing player in NBA history. They were both SUPREMELY talented players, who for one reason or another didn’t have the consistent success many thought they would have. Vince has had the longer career, but you can make the argument McGrady was better in his prime, although Vince was very good as well. Bill Simmons in his book states that "There must be something weird in their gene pool that they only care about themselves" Lmao! So who would you take? Who had the better career? And who was the better player in their prime years? Vince or Tmac?  

[chall23Participant]

If you don’t take Tmac you’re crazy… Dude was amazing it’s a shame injuries robbed him. 

[chall23Participant]

If you don’t take Tmac you’re crazy… Dude was amazing it’s a shame injuries robbed him. 

[JR RyderParticipant]

TMac was a better all around player, while Carter was a better pure scorer, Carter had incredible 3 point range combined with his athletecism. But TMac was better at every other aspects (passing, defense, and playmaking).

[JR RyderParticipant]

TMac was a better all around player, while Carter was a better pure scorer, Carter had incredible 3 point range combined with his athletecism. But TMac was better at every other aspects (passing, defense, and playmaking).

[BlueLacesParticipant]

TMac was the better all-around player AND pure scorer. He led the league in PPG twice in his career. Had he been healthy and not had back issues throughout his playing days, I think he would had averaged close to 25ppg for his career.

[BlueLacesParticipant]

TMac was the better all-around player AND pure scorer. He led the league in PPG twice in his career. Had he been healthy and not had back issues throughout his playing days, I think he would had averaged close to 25ppg for his career.

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 You know they had a baby, his name is Josh Jackson really good high school player, I think 2016 class. 

[BallGawd01Participant]

Yeah he’s nice, but he’s almost like a not as athletic wiggins at this point. Very good though should be top player in a couple of years 

[BallGawd01Participant]

Yeah he’s nice, but he’s almost like a not as athletic wiggins at this point. Very good though should be top player in a couple of years 

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 You know they had a baby, his name is Josh Jackson really good high school player, I think 2016 class. 

[laxmisonParticipant]

 Carter had a much better career, TMAC in is prime was a better player.

[BlueLacesParticipant]

TMac had 7 all-nba team selections, Carter only had two. I would say TMac had the better career and was the better player. Tmac’s was just cut short because of his back.

[BlueLacesParticipant]

TMac had 7 all-nba team selections, Carter only had two. I would say TMac had the better career and was the better player. Tmac’s was just cut short because of his back.

[laxmisonParticipant]

 Carter had a much better career, TMAC in is prime was a better player.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

A lot of people thought Vince would be done once his athletic gifts started to fade but he actually reinvented himself as a three point specialist and instant offense off the bench guy. He actually had some very productive years late in his career with the mavs which were completely unexpected. 

For longevity purposes I’m choosing Vince in this debate. There’s no doubt that t-mac was better in their prime years though.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

A lot of people thought Vince would be done once his athletic gifts started to fade but he actually reinvented himself as a three point specialist and instant offense off the bench guy. He actually had some very productive years late in his career with the mavs which were completely unexpected. 

For longevity purposes I’m choosing Vince in this debate. There’s no doubt that t-mac was better in their prime years though.

 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

I gotta go T-Mac on this one, but i loved watching Vinsanity play. My favorite player growing up and best dunk contest dunker of all time. T-Mac got BUCKETS though…

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

I gotta go T-Mac on this one, but i loved watching Vinsanity play. My favorite player growing up and best dunk contest dunker of all time. T-Mac got BUCKETS though…

[ThepessimestParticipant]

 I have to go with McGrady on this while both were great. McGrady’s prime was cut due to his knees (not his back) but when he was good he was an unstoppable force. One year averaging 32, 7 and 5. I mean he dragged some really bad teams in Orlando to the playoffs. But man what could have been had he actually worked hard? The stories are legendary about McGrady basically doing all he did without the high level commitment of some of the great players. Think about that.

I mean he was SOOO gifted. Good vision, could defend almost anyone, could score it from anywhere. He was truly special.

Vince was no chop liver either. Vince could shoot it and dunk on you and was also a dominating force. He had some amazing years in Toronto. I feel Vince didn’t embrace greatness. He seemed to not want to be that guy in terms of the expectations that great players have. He seemed more comfortable in situations where he wasn’t expected to be legendary.

Think about it…at one point and time there was actually an argument of who was better: Vince, McGrady, and Kobe and it was a legit discussion. 

I love these discussions and it takes me back to remembering how great these players were.

 

 

 

 

 

[ThepessimestParticipant]

 I have to go with McGrady on this while both were great. McGrady’s prime was cut due to his knees (not his back) but when he was good he was an unstoppable force. One year averaging 32, 7 and 5. I mean he dragged some really bad teams in Orlando to the playoffs. But man what could have been had he actually worked hard? The stories are legendary about McGrady basically doing all he did without the high level commitment of some of the great players. Think about that.

I mean he was SOOO gifted. Good vision, could defend almost anyone, could score it from anywhere. He was truly special.

Vince was no chop liver either. Vince could shoot it and dunk on you and was also a dominating force. He had some amazing years in Toronto. I feel Vince didn’t embrace greatness. He seemed to not want to be that guy in terms of the expectations that great players have. He seemed more comfortable in situations where he wasn’t expected to be legendary.

Think about it…at one point and time there was actually an argument of who was better: Vince, McGrady, and Kobe and it was a legit discussion. 

I love these discussions and it takes me back to remembering how great these players were.

 

 

 

 

 

[Toronto16Participant]

 If Vince is playing with a good coach and teammates who will push him, I take him over T-Mac.  Vince was on his way to being the next Jordan in his early years in Toronto, but management babied him and catered to his every whim (His mom had her own parking space in the arena!)  He never really pushed himself to get better during that time and became very lazy.  Once he soured on manangement he completely mentally check on the Raptors.

Go look at his stats that first year in New Jersey, dude was an absolute beast.

 

 

[Toronto16Participant]

 If Vince is playing with a good coach and teammates who will push him, I take him over T-Mac.  Vince was on his way to being the next Jordan in his early years in Toronto, but management babied him and catered to his every whim (His mom had her own parking space in the arena!)  He never really pushed himself to get better during that time and became very lazy.  Once he soured on manangement he completely mentally check on the Raptors.

Go look at his stats that first year in New Jersey, dude was an absolute beast.

 

 

[Stephen A. BaylessParticipant]

 T-Mac best season was his age 23 season and Vince was his age 24 season. T-Mac’s line was 32-7-6-2 with 46/39/79 shooting splits and a ridiculous PER of 30 partially so high because he averaged 10 ft’s a game.  Vince’s line was 28-6-4-2 with 46/41/77 shooting splits and PER of 25. Vince usage rate was 30 vs a very insane 35 for T-Mac. That season Vince led a very average Toronto team and was a missed buzzer shot away from the conference finals. In that duel against Iverson he averaged 30-6-6-2-2 on 47/42/84 splits. T-Mac’s best season was still a bit better but they are close. 

T-Mac’s Prime was from 2000-2007, Vince’s was from 1999-2007. They both made the ALL-Star game every year. T-Mac had one more very good season then due to injuries fell off instantly where Vince had a 21-6-5 and 21-5-5 in which he didn’t make the All-Star Game. After that he transitioned to a very productive starter than a top 6th man in Dallas.

I think perception really hurts Vince because his New Jersey years match up very favorably to T-Mac’s Houston years. Vince averaged 23-5-4 while playing almost every game for 5 years, and T-Mac averaged 23-6-6 while missing a ton of games. The ALL-NBA teams greatly favor T-Mac but I think that is more so due to media bias flaw in voting. Vince had a 28-6-5-2 on great shooting percentages his first year in New Jersey and didn’t make a single ALL-NBA team. Then take a look at both of their 06-07 seasons which were pretty much equal (You could make a case for either one being better) and T-Mac made 2nd team and Vince once again didn’t make any team. Then 07-08 T-Mac made 3rd team despite career low shooting numbers and not making the All-Star game. His team had success but him and Yao both missed a lot of games, and Yao was more of the catalyst at this point. (Sidebar Rick Adelman deserves more credit for this season). Vince perception is hurt because many people feel like he didn’t live up to the immense potential he showed those first 3 seasons (especially during the series against Iverson). 

Overall Career Average is 19.4-5-4 for Vince and 19.6-6-4 for T-Mac but Vince played about 300 more games. In Dallas, I saw his great post-up game and 3pt shooting, but I was surprised with how good he was defensively at almost 40. That leads me to believe he was probably underrated at that end during his prime and T-Mac was very good on that end as well. I could see how if you were picking one of them based on skills, production and how things ended how you could pick Vince. T-Mac’s game was just so beautiful to watch and it’s always that "What if" factor with him. He could have easily been a part of 4 All-Time great dynamic Duos alongside Vince, Grant Hill, Dwight (traded before they could play together), and Yao.  

To play Devil’s advocate a bit, I like to believe that we saw the best of T-Mac even though maybe it could have lasted a bit longer, but I always wonder with Vince. Despite a great consistent career, it seem like maybe he could have been a bit better. From what I saw from him as a defender late in his career and along with his athleticism he could have been an All-NBA defense guy. It’s kind of that feeling you get with C-Webb and it hurts their rankings a bit.

[BallGawd01Participant]

Great points! Vince could have been the victim of perception from the media, as well as a lot of players 

[BallGawd01Participant]

Great points! Vince could have been the victim of perception from the media, as well as a lot of players 

[Stephen A. BaylessParticipant]

 T-Mac best season was his age 23 season and Vince was his age 24 season. T-Mac’s line was 32-7-6-2 with 46/39/79 shooting splits and a ridiculous PER of 30 partially so high because he averaged 10 ft’s a game.  Vince’s line was 28-6-4-2 with 46/41/77 shooting splits and PER of 25. Vince usage rate was 30 vs a very insane 35 for T-Mac. That season Vince led a very average Toronto team and was a missed buzzer shot away from the conference finals. In that duel against Iverson he averaged 30-6-6-2-2 on 47/42/84 splits. T-Mac’s best season was still a bit better but they are close. 

T-Mac’s Prime was from 2000-2007, Vince’s was from 1999-2007. They both made the ALL-Star game every year. T-Mac had one more very good season then due to injuries fell off instantly where Vince had a 21-6-5 and 21-5-5 in which he didn’t make the All-Star Game. After that he transitioned to a very productive starter than a top 6th man in Dallas.

I think perception really hurts Vince because his New Jersey years match up very favorably to T-Mac’s Houston years. Vince averaged 23-5-4 while playing almost every game for 5 years, and T-Mac averaged 23-6-6 while missing a ton of games. The ALL-NBA teams greatly favor T-Mac but I think that is more so due to media bias flaw in voting. Vince had a 28-6-5-2 on great shooting percentages his first year in New Jersey and didn’t make a single ALL-NBA team. Then take a look at both of their 06-07 seasons which were pretty much equal (You could make a case for either one being better) and T-Mac made 2nd team and Vince once again didn’t make any team. Then 07-08 T-Mac made 3rd team despite career low shooting numbers and not making the All-Star game. His team had success but him and Yao both missed a lot of games, and Yao was more of the catalyst at this point. (Sidebar Rick Adelman deserves more credit for this season). Vince perception is hurt because many people feel like he didn’t live up to the immense potential he showed those first 3 seasons (especially during the series against Iverson). 

Overall Career Average is 19.4-5-4 for Vince and 19.6-6-4 for T-Mac but Vince played about 300 more games. In Dallas, I saw his great post-up game and 3pt shooting, but I was surprised with how good he was defensively at almost 40. That leads me to believe he was probably underrated at that end during his prime and T-Mac was very good on that end as well. I could see how if you were picking one of them based on skills, production and how things ended how you could pick Vince. T-Mac’s game was just so beautiful to watch and it’s always that "What if" factor with him. He could have easily been a part of 4 All-Time great dynamic Duos alongside Vince, Grant Hill, Dwight (traded before they could play together), and Yao.  

To play Devil’s advocate a bit, I like to believe that we saw the best of T-Mac even though maybe it could have lasted a bit longer, but I always wonder with Vince. Despite a great consistent career, it seem like maybe he could have been a bit better. From what I saw from him as a defender late in his career and along with his athleticism he could have been an All-NBA defense guy. It’s kind of that feeling you get with C-Webb and it hurts their rankings a bit.

[llperez]

 tmac prime over vince prime all day. Also while vince has had a longer career, he fell off that all nba first team next jordan ish with a quickness. At least one or two of his all star game invtes was a complete joke with fans voting him in. 

[llperez]

 tmac prime over vince prime all day. Also while vince has had a longer career, he fell off that all nba first team next jordan ish with a quickness. At least one or two of his all star game invtes was a complete joke with fans voting him in. 

[jaycee24Participant]

 This is kind of like asking do you want the smoking hot girl with the ridiculous body who then leaves you after a year or the great girl pretty sexy just not incredibly though who’s good for the long term. 

I take the hot one AKA T-Mac over and over again 

[jaycee24Participant]

 This is kind of like asking do you want the smoking hot girl with the ridiculous body who then leaves you after a year or the great girl pretty sexy just not incredibly though who’s good for the long term. 

I take the hot one AKA T-Mac over and over again 

[BallGawd01Participant]

Lmao I like the analogy!

[BallGawd01Participant]

Lmao I like the analogy!

[jaycee24Participant]

 Seriously tho just watch them play….both were incredible but there’s just something with T-Mac that made him an All-Timer he had one of the greatest 4-5 year runs EVER… People don’t give him enough love for that.

For example in each of their primes do you want Kareem or Wilt? Hands down its wilt so I think people get a little too caught up in careers and legacy just ask yourself who played the game at the highest level when they were at their best?

 

.

[jaycee24Participant]

 Seriously tho just watch them play….both were incredible but there’s just something with T-Mac that made him an All-Timer he had one of the greatest 4-5 year runs EVER… People don’t give him enough love for that.

For example in each of their primes do you want Kareem or Wilt? Hands down its wilt so I think people get a little too caught up in careers and legacy just ask yourself who played the game at the highest level when they were at their best?

 

.

[Toronto16Participant]

It’s sad to think how many titles they would have won had they stayed together.

[Toronto16Participant]

It’s sad to think how many titles they would have won had they stayed together.

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