Sporting events have been hit hard by the coronavirus with most announcing the suspension of games. It was a precautionary measure to safeguard athletes and fans but it couldn't have come at a worse time for some. That includes Vince Carter who was going through the motions of finishing his colorful NBA career.
It was imminent that even the NBA would come to a point of having to decide on stopping the games. In the case of the 43-year-old veteran, the announcement came at an odd time. The Atlanta Hawks were playing the New York Knicks Wednesday and Carter did not have the slightest idea that it could have very well been his last.
The Hawks lost to the Knicks but Carter was given the chance to take a three-point shot in the last 20 seconds of the match. It could very well be the last shot of his NBA career, but the 5th overall pick of the 1995 NBA Draft seems fine with whatever happens from here, the Associated Press reported.
“This was fun. If it ended today, this day and the end of the season with these last 16 games will be talked about for a very long time,” Carter said. “That’s something I’ll always remember. At least I scored my last basket. It’s a weird but cool memory.”
Moving forward, Carter's NBA career is not entirely officially over. The NBA suspended the season but there is a possibility that it could still be resumed. The only question is what direction will commissioner Adam Silver choose. Canceling the entire season is possible according to the NBA commissioner. However, that depends on what happens after the 30-day hiatus. It may all boil down to the situation if the virus has been contained or not.
Of course, there are alternatives to follow. The NBA could move its schedule or scrap some remaining games of the regular season. These are likely games that have no impact on the NBA playoff picture. The Hawks are out of it and one possible option is to spare them from playing further. It could mean allowing their opponents to win by default to whittle down the remaining schedule.
The worst-case scenario is to completely scrap the season. This will likely be the case of the issue does not improve. Carter may have not the right send-off to end his NBA career but at least he gets to remember that final shot he took and when it happened.
