KEY POINTS

  • Richard Jefferson claims that Vince Carter is the most "gifted" player he's ever seen
  • Carter was an athletic player in his prime years
  • Jefferson believes Carter is more gifted than LeBron James

Richard Jefferson believes that Vince Carter is more gifted than former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate-turned-Los Angeles Laker LeBron James.

Making an appearance on ESPN’s “The Jump,” Jefferson and former Laker Matt Barnes gave their thoughts on who they think the most gifted basketball player is.

“Since I played with Vince (Carter), I’m going to go first on this one; that is a hundred percent,” said Jefferson.

“I was with him for four seasons and I tell you, I have never seen anything like Vince Carter. I was fortunate enough to play with LeBron (James). But there was nothing that I have ever seen this man not be able to do. Left-hand finishes, left-hand dunks, 360 layups, handle [the ball] like a point guard. But I think to me, he (Carter) is the most talented player I have ever seen in my life.”

Jefferson and Barnes’ claims have merit to them as both of them played with Carter and against him as well.

Carter and Jefferson were teammates on the then-New Jersey Nets for four seasons, and the former joined Barnes with the Orlando Magic via free agency in 2010.

Jefferson has a good point to be made especially when taking into consideration all of the highlight-reel plays that Carter amassed over the years.

For the better part of his 22 years in the league, Carter was one of the most athletic players the NBA and the basketball world has ever seen.

The 1999 Rookie of the Year became synonymous with dunking exhibitions as he would pull off windmills and 360 dunks in-game, leading to what many believe is the greatest NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2000.

Though he would not make it to the NBA Finals, Carter’s high-flying style of basketball enamored fans the world over and cemented his legend after dunking over 7-footer Fredric Weiss in the 2000 Olympic Games.

Carter was named to the NBA All-Star team eight times throughout his career and would be nicknamed “Half Man, Half Amazing”.

The Florida native called it a career after a two-year stint with Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks in 2020.

James is yet to comment on the situation, but it would be interesting to hear his thoughts after his former teammate’s claims.

Vince Carter
Vince Carter is hoping to play one more season in the NBA before retiring. Here, Carter speaks during a press conference after being awarded the 2015-16 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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