In a single sure: Oral historical past of Vince Carter's best dunk

Half 2: Getting ready for launch

Carter shot 50 % from the sector, 40 % from 3-point vary, and he led Staff USA in scoring at 14.8 factors per sport throughout an 8-0 run to the gold medal. The nationwide staff prolonged its profitable streak to 25 video games and improved its total Olympic report to 109-2.

However two elements overshadowed these figures: Carter’s flight over Weis and the Individuals shedding floor to vastly improved worldwide competitors. Lithuania almost upset Staff USA twice in a pair of video games determined by simply 11 factors.

Whereas frustratingly inconsistent stretches outlined their play, the one fixed for the Individuals was the breathtaking moments behind closed doorways throughout follow. It was solely a matter of time earlier than Carter pulled off one thing completely ridiculous below the brilliant lights.

Steve Smith: You had been seeing unbelievable issues in follow … the way in which he was attacking our bigs with that explosion. I keep in mind taking a look at J-Kidd and GP going, “That is simply unreal.” It was the dunks, nevertheless it was greater than the dunks. I am 6-foot-8 … at one level, I used to be checking him, and he shoots a soar shot. And I am pondering: “Look how excessive he elevated on a pull-up soar shot. … This isn’t regular. That is simply not regular.”

Alonzo Mourning: It is actually essentially the most freakish athleticism we have ever seen throughout our time. The stuff [Vince] was in a position to do, and the grasp time across the rim, the creativity he would undergo within the air to complete on the rim; I imply, it was wonderful.

Rudy Tomjanovich, 2000 USA Olympic staff head coach: In our practices, he was catching lobs that had been misthrown, away from the basket. And he is leaping this fashion, gathering them and in some way turning and [dunking]. Guys had been like, “Did you see that?” Jason Kidd would say, “Man, I can simply throw it wherever up there, and he is gonna get it.”

Mo Peterson, shut buddy and Raptors guard 2000-07: It was similar to that in Toronto, too. After that [dunk] within the Olympics, each time I used to be on his staff in follow that [next] season, I’d simply attempt to throw lobs as excessive as I might — simply to see if he might catch it. He’d be working again downcourt mad and yelling, “Man, what the hell form of move was that?” And I am like: “Man, I knew you possibly can catch that, dude. You are Vince Carter.”

Tubby Smith: I keep in mind standing on the sidelines listening to Gary and Jason Kidd and Tim Hardaway say, “I guess he cannot catch this lob.” It is humorous, as a result of these guys would really be betting.

Tim Hardaway: We purposely tried to throw it behind him, see how far he’d attain to catch it, how excessive he would go. We needed to see if he might go to the highest of the sq. and catch it. We did not know he was going to get it. We did not know he would [then] go soar over anyone. We by no means guess on that one.

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Half 3: “It was one, two … and that is it”

Towards France, Carter was almost good; he made 6 of seven pictures and scored 13 factors in 13 minutes. Amongst numerous YouTube spotlight clips is one which counts not less than 25 dunks amongst Carter’s 41 made baskets in his eight-game Olympic run.

After all, one slam rose above all of them.

“Two issues I take into consideration when it comes up,” Carter stated. “I might prefer to know what number of instances it has been replayed within the 15 years since on YouTube or wherever else. After which I by no means, to today, bought to listen to my teammates’ model of what they noticed. It has been 15 years, and I by no means heard something, by no means seemed it as much as see what they stated about what they noticed. It might be cool to see what they keep in mind.”

The dunk sequence started when Payton drove and missed a contested layup with 16 minutes, 8 seconds, left and Staff USA forward by 15. Vin Baker missed the putback try as Garnett and Allen retreated in transition protection. France grabbed the free ball close to the free throw line. However Carter lunged on the left wing to steal France ahead Yann Bonato’s errant behind-the-back outlet move.

Carter then eyed the rim and sized up a slow-reacting Weis, France’s final line of protection within the lane.

Frédéric Weis, France nationwide staff heart 2000-07: I do not keep in mind something. I had my eyes closed [laughs]. I would not transfer, for positive.

Vince Carter: I knew I used to be in place to leap the move and get the steal. As soon as I bought it, it was one, two … and that is it. There it was. So I get the steal. I keep in mind taking the primary dribble and the second dribble, simply making an attempt to gauge what [Weis] was going to do.

Tim Hardaway: I used to be towards our bench. The one factor I noticed was him catching the ball, and he by no means even hesitated. He simply went up, did not care who was in entrance of him.

Doug Collins, former NBA participant and coach and NBC commentator for the 2000 Olympics: A variety of it was [predicated] by the place Frédéric Weis was on the ground. I imply, had he gotten additional away from the basket or gone up — however as soon as he stood nonetheless, he made himself a sitting goal for Vince to have his manner.

Mike Breen, Collins’ broadcast associate and NBC play-by-play analyst: There was a lull within the sport, and it was clearly determined. It was a matter of ending out, after which off this turnover, he takes the ball — to see him explode like that to the rim, I might by no means seen something prefer it.

Steve Smith: I stated: “Wow. That is going to be nice.” And I do know Vince. I used to be pondering: “Let’s have a look at what Vince does. Is he going to go chest-to-chest? Is he going to attempt to go round him?” You seemed and stated, “Vince goes to assault him.”

Shareef Abdur-Rahim, former NBA ahead and 2000 USA Olympic staff ahead: You may see performs coming typically. In that occasion, I do not even keep in mind anticipating something spectacular occurring. He jumped so quick, so fast, so surprising.

Vince Carter: [Weis] by no means stepped as much as me for me to drag up. He was simply form of simply ready there. So in my thoughts, I figured, “If I rise up within the air earlier than you soar, you do not have a shot in hell to cease me.” And he stood there. I simply keep in mind placing my hand on his shoulder and going up.

Tubby Smith: It was like the large fella stated: “Oh s—, I want to maneuver or one thing. I have to get out of right here.” But it surely was like he was caught, like he was frozen. Vince took off and simply stored going up, up and up.

Steve Smith: Frédéric determined to not soar. … He began to measure the place Vince took off from, simply exterior the paint. And in a manner, Weis helped Vince as a result of he seemed like he was going to problem Vince. And Vince put every thing he had into that soar.

Vince Carter: And so after that, I am solely concentrating on the rim. I am not even centered on [Weis]. I am not enthusiastic about what is going on on beneath me on the bottom. I simply figured he’d rolled out of the way in which or fell down making an attempt to take the cost, as a result of I did not really feel him anymore. And at the moment, I am pondering I jumped too far out and I’ll [come up] brief, like in that Sprite commercial.

Tubby Smith: It appeared like he was pondering: “Oh man, what have I accomplished? I am too far-off. How can I right this?” And his correction was to only elevate above it and over [Weis]. He simply break up his legs and went over him. I do not understand how he bought that further enhance.

Steve Smith: I feel time stopped for a second. Weis could have bent his head six inches to the aspect, however [Vince] clearly cleared this man who was 7-foot-2. I needed to collect myself, like: “Whoa! What simply occurred?”

Vince Carter: I took off exterior the field, and I am trying on the rim like, “Uh-oh.” And in the event you return and have a look at it, you will see that I lean my higher physique ahead to achieve so far as I can [to the rim] as a result of I am pondering I am not going to make it. And after I bought there, that is the place my pleasure got here from.

No one realized that as a result of they did not know what was occurring, what I used to be pondering. My problem after I jumped was to only get as near the rim as I might. I by no means thought concerning the man below me.

Frédéric Weis: I had no thought about it. The one factor I keep in mind was [teammate] Mou [Moustapha] Sonko was screaming from the bench prefer it was me dunking. He was elevating his arms prefer it was us scoring. But it surely wasn’t me doing the dunk. I used to be on the receiving finish.

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Half 4: ‘What did I simply see?’

Carter landed, shook the voltage out of his legs, flexed his arms and roared as a wide-eyed Garnett maniacally rushed over to have fun. The dunk gave Staff USA a 71-54 lead. A timeout was known as shortly after, sending a dazed Weis to the bench. He was changed on the court docket when play resumed.

“I knew he might soar, however I did not know he might soar over me,” Weis told reporters after the game. “Everyone will know my face now or my [jersey] quantity, not less than. It may be on a poster, for positive.”

Rudy Tomjanovich: I used to be standing proper there within the coach’s field when [Vince] took off and exploded over the man. And I used to be form of in awe for a second. I turned, and Jason Kidd was proper subsequent to me, and he was yelling: ‘We had been right here! We had been right here! We noticed this!” I used to be nonetheless like, “That did not actually occur.”

Jason Kidd, present Milwaukee Bucks coach, who was sitting on the scorers’ desk: That dunk appeared prefer it was too simple. It wasn’t like he loaded up and that he needed to collect his steps, do that and that. It was all within the circulation of the sport. When he jumped, it was like: “OK, he is up there. … Oh, no! He jumped over him.”

Tim Hardaway: I in all probability jumped increased than [Vince] did. I jumped up. Everyone jumped up. It was nearly like being on the Rucker Park video games. Individuals simply nearly stormed the court docket. We needed to management our feelings to maintain from occurring the court docket.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim: You in all probability could not print what I stated. The bench went nuts. KG grabbed [Vince’s] head and was doing KG issues, the place he pushes his head. It actually set all people off.

Vince Carter: Once I got here down, I nearly punched KG within the face as a result of I did not even see him there.

Response, ranging from beneath the basket and spreading to the alternative finish of the globe, ran the gamut. Relying on the vantage level, acceptance got here in methodical phases. There was shock, then shocked silence, then disbelief adopted by denial, bewilderment and, in the end, hysteria. Many agree on one factor: They wanted a replay earlier than they may actually course of what that they had witnessed.

Vince Carter, from the center of the motion: I am on one other planet at that second. And I am not even positive who everybody else was or the place they had been. Once I look again on it, I at all times giggle to myself as a result of I used to be relieved I did not embarrass myself.

Ray Allen, from close to midcourt after he retreated again on protection: It was like I used to be dreaming. To me, Weis being 7 ft and Vince leaping utterly over him was unattainable. However he did it. And when he did it, it was like: “I can not consider my eyes. What did I simply see? Did he simply do what I feel he simply did?”

I nearly forgot that I used to be there on the ground. I grew to become a fan watching it from the highlights. I am at all times like: “I am proper there! I used to be proper behind that!”

Doug Collins: from courtside broadcast desk: Vince, we have seen him do spectacular strikes. That is the fantastic thing about the dunk. It turns into a part of your character. I performed with one of many all-time nice dunkers, Julius Erving. I used to be spoiled by means of the years. I do not suppose I ever noticed Michael Jordan soar over anyone’s head throughout a sport.

Mike Breen, from alongside Collins calling the play-by-play: I knew it was particular when Doug Collins started screaming. He had seen basketball for many years and all the nice gamers. When he erupted, I knew that it was one thing we had by no means seen earlier than.

Georges Eddy, longtime French TV broadcaster, from courtside: It was in all probability the dwell commentary that was heard the most in my 30 years on TV as a result of we had been extremely shocked and excited. You by no means see that, besides in a online game. Individuals say [Weis] ought to have fouled Carter. However thank goodness he did not, as a result of we’d have missed the best dunk ever.

Rudy Tomjanovich, from in entrance of the USA bench: Once I noticed the replay, it was wonderful. I wasn’t positive what the hell occurred in actual life.

Craig Miller, Staff USA communications officer, from the stands: The gang had this delayed response. Individuals had been making an attempt to determine what occurred. “What did he simply do? Oh my god!” To today, essentially the most epic dunk within the Olympics. I have been on the Olympics since 1988. I’ve by no means seen something prefer it.

Shaun Powell, then with Newsday, now an NBA.com senior author, from the sector’s media part: Everybody checked out one another, shocked. You simply needed to see the replay. It was nearly such as you refused to consider what you thought you noticed. You simply froze. The one different feeling I can examine it to as a sports activities author was on the [1997] Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield struggle, when Tyson bit off Holyfield’s ear.

Andrew Bogut, Golden State heart and Australian, then watching dwell at age 15 from Melbourne: It was a speaking level at college. There was a photograph the place [Vince’s] nether area was on [Weis’] head, in order that was form of cool. Everybody was speaking about it.

LeBron James, four-time NBA MVP, then a prep sophomore who watched the replay from Ohio: All I keep in mind was listening to folks like, “Did you see Vince Carter soar over a man within the Olympics?” I used to be like: “What do you imply he jumped over a man? Like, was he laying down on the bottom?”

Once I noticed it, I used to be like, “Oh my god!” That is the one play the place you knew he was like, “Half Man, Half Superb,” for positive. You had been like, “Oh yeah, that nickname is simply too becoming.”

Antonio Davis, watching from Toronto: It was like watching my child brother ask a lady to bop after I have been on him like: “Pay attention, dude, you are not going to get the lady by simply standing over right here. You have to be able to take that subsequent step and face rejection or no matter it’s.” [Vince] lastly understood [that] when he takes off, you both bought to get out of his manner or problem it. And he is one of the best dunker I’ve ever seen.

Vince Carter, on the second when actuality set in: I did not know what it seemed like till after the sport. It was on a type of private camcorders. Considered one of my teammates had one among their boys within the stands with one, they usually introduced it down into the locker room. They had been like, “Take a look at what you probably did, man.”

That is after I actually noticed it. I watched it seven instances. I keep in mind Steve Smith, Tim Hardaway and Gary Payton taking a look at me loopy. That is when it grew to become actual.

Frédéric Weis: It was nice. However on the finish of the day, it was simply two factors.

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Half 5: Touchdown on a legacy

Fifteen years later, few keep in mind how the sport ended (america gained 106-94). For some, every thing was a blur. Trying again, Hardaway wasn’t even sure of the opponent from that in any other case unforgettable second.

“It was towards the China staff, proper?” he requested earlier than being corrected. “That was France? Oh, s—. I assumed it was the China staff. You realize what? I actually do not know the way it performed out after that. You are proper. All I do know is we gained and that was one hell of a dunk — probably the greatest of all time.”

Sometimes, Carter and Weis are nonetheless requested by followers about it. Or about one another, though they do not consider they have been in the identical metropolis — actually not the identical enviornment — collectively for the reason that USA defeated France 85-75 every week later in a rematch for the gold medal. Any disgrace Weis feels from the Carter dunk pales compared to the satisfaction of dipping his head alongside his France teammates in 2000 to have a silver medal positioned round his neck.

“We by no means spoke,” Weis stated. “However within the closing, he tried to go over me [again] and I fouled him. He smiled again.”

But they continue to be perpetually linked by the dunk.

For Carter, it is essentially the most well-known basketball play in a probable Corridor of Fame profession crammed with jaw-dropping highlights. For Weis, it is essentially the most notorious snapshot of a profession lower brief by debilitating again and knee accidents. Shortly after his son was born in 2002, Weis battled despair and alcoholism. In 2008, Weis survived a suicide attempt. Lately, he has gotten again on his ft.

Georges Eddy: Lots of people stated he was traumatized and that he by no means got here again from that. That was bulls—. He got here again towards Luc Longley within the semifinals [win against Australia]. He had a superb event, and he has a silver medal to indicate for it. Then he had all types of [personal] issues. Now, he is doing effectively. He is a businessman. Individuals who say Fred Weis is a sufferer are lacking the true story.

Frédéric Weis: I used to be unfortunate with the NBA. I had again surgical procedure after I went to [Knicks] summer season league. It was killing me. And after that, my agent went to jail. Life bought difficult. And if one thing does not really feel proper, you do not have to do it. It is life. I moved on to one thing else.

I am OK. I dwell in Limoges, [France,] which is the place I completed enjoying skilled basketball. I am with my spouse and my son. I’ve a retailer, a bar. I like working there. I am performing some TV, which I take pleasure in.

Craig Miller: I do not know from the Olympics if I keep in mind 25 gamers on different groups, however I am going to at all times keep in mind [Weis’] identify due to that dunk. It made him historic in that sense.

Jason Kidd: Somebody must be a part of that unimaginable play. I did not suppose it could be as unhealthy; and it turned out to be as a result of he was drafted by the Knicks. It made it even greater. I feel if he was drafted by anyone else, he would have come over and performed within the NBA and had an honest profession.

Many surprise how social media may need responded to the dunk. However the truest measure of the second’s energy lies in how its story is handed down like folklore from one technology to the following.

Steve Smith: Persons are nonetheless speaking about it, and rightfully so. I’ve a 16-year-old and a 13-year-old, they usually requested me to recap it. “Dad, was it the best dunk ever?” They watched it, however they nonetheless ask, “Was he actually 7-foot-2?” For me to be there — wow. I witnessed the best dunk ever, firsthand.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim: My son has seen it. Children now discover it. They convey it to me like, “Did you see this?” I stated, “I used to be there.”

Tubby Smith: Once I carry recruits or gamers over [to] my home, I’ve the photograph album of that Olympic staff in my lounge. They flip by means of it, see the [dunk] and go, “Whoa!” That is when it hits you that these youngsters had been infants when this occurred and by no means noticed it. They freak out and may’t consider it.

They are saying: “You had been a part of the Olympics, coach? You had been there?” And I say, “Yeah, I noticed it occur, and I nonetheless cannot consider how he did it.” That set the usual for what a spotlight dunk is.

Vince Carter: Perhaps it has been accomplished earlier than, and in that case, I’d love to listen to about it. I do not know if folks ever stated, “I wish to go on the market and do that and see what occurs.” You by no means plan for one thing like that. It might by no means work.

Tim Hardaway: I imply, who does that? No one does that. Michael Jordan did not try this. Clyde Drexler did not try this. David Thompson did not try this. Dr. J. did not try this. And [Vince] did it within the Olympics.

Mo Peterson: When Vince got here again [from Sydney], he gave me an image of that dunk. I stored it in my automotive for I do not understand how lengthy. I nonetheless have it someplace round right here. Somebody captured it from a view proper over his head. It was a Polaroid that they snapped. A Polaroid! You keep in mind them?

Shaun Powell: You search for these moments within the Olympics. When Charles Barkley elbowed the Angolan in 1992 — that was a second. When Scottie Pippen is dogging Toni Kukoc — that was a second. You look to chronicle a second that is going to be talked concerning the subsequent few days. That Vince Carter dunk was a type of moments. However that dunk goes to dwell past Vince Carter. It may dwell perpetually.

Vince Carter: That is humorous, man. I am 38. It was only a case when the moon and stars lined up good for me at that second. I by no means thought, talked about, dreamed of, imagined — no matter, you identify it — I might do one thing like that.

I by no means would suppose to attempt to soar over a 7-footer. Figured I might harm myself.

J.A. Adande, Baxter Holmes, Dave McMenamin, Arash Markazi and Mark Woods contributed to this report.