Vince Carter Still Throttling in the NBA at 40

These days, basketball fans see a lot of Vince Carter hitting outside shots. From the looks of it, the former Slam Dunk champion cannot drive to the hole at will anymore. However, his resurgence as of late will have people thinking otherwise.

Just recently this March, Vince Carter has hammered down a powerful slam against the Atlanta Hawks. In another game where he scored 24 points, he has thrown down a reverse dunk. Prior to an encounter against the New Orleans Pelicans, he has brought back memories of his hey days by doing a between-the-legs throw down during warm-ups.

The impact of Carter's career has been profound. His performance during the Slam Dunk competitions back in 2000 is probably one of the best during an All-Star weekend. Most of his above the rim plays have stuck out during his time with the Toronto Raptors.

Unlike most high-flying standouts in the NBA, Carter has been able to endure the rigors of the game. He is now on his 19^th year playing in the league. In addition to being a two-time All-NBA team member and a 10-time All-Star, he has amassed more than 24,000 points while playing for five different organizations including the Nets, the Magic, the Suns and the Mavericks.

Vince Carter's longevity may be attributed to how he understands the game. Although he has dropped his scoring average to single digits since joining Memphis, he knows that he still has a valuable role to assume. Keeping himself in optimum shape remains a priority. Still, his career prowess in the regular season and the playoffs is within 18 points per game.

Carter's healthy regimen has not been lost on teammate Mike Conley. Aside from cutting on sugar from his diet, the Grizzlies floor general is also doing light workouts prior to a game.

For Tony Allen, the secret to Vince Carter's durability in the NBA can be attributed to passion. The Memphis defense-oriented guard thinks that his teammate still loves the game very much.

For one who saves energy in order to be more effective on the floor, it is surprising to know that Carter has eight dunks so far this season. The 2000 Slam Dunk champion is treating himself like a priced Classic car. Maintenance is everything if he wants to sustain his time in the league.