Drive: How Vince Carter Conquered the NBA

by Chris Young

The first in-depth book on Vince Carter, Drive captures the magic of the young superstar and charts the latest transformation of the NBA. Without a doubt, Vince Carter is the best thing to come along since Michael Jordan took basketball to a new level in the 1990s. Here in Canada, Vince Carter is The Franchise.

Veteran sports writer Chris Young tracks Vince Carter over the entire 2000–2001 NBA season. By charting the trajectory of Carter’s career from his origins in a Florida high school league, he reveals how one star can transform not only a team, but the entire NBA.

The Raptors were in their fourth season and at the bottom of the league when Carter joined as a rookie — now, three years later, he’s thrilling fans with his trademark levitations, breath-taking body control, and the power of his slam-dunks. His unique skills have turned him into one of pro sports’ rarest of performers: the charismatic superstar.

After the bitter labour dispute that delayed the 1998–1999 season and Michael Jordan’s retirement in February 1999, the NBA fell into a slump — TV ratings began to slide and attendance flatlined. It was at this point in NBA history that Vince Carter first attracted notice. His transcendent talent soon led media commentators to name Carter the most exciting young superstar in the NBA. Carter led the U.S. team in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, and has been the leading vote-getter for the last two NBA All Star Games — a clear reflection of his intense popularity with the fans.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2001

Reviews

[Miles Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because I am an avid NBA fan, The raptors are one of my favorite teams in the NBA. Every Raptors fan in raptors history has liked Vince carter, Right? This book for sure lived up to my expectations. It really did a great job of showing the ups and downs of being an NBA legend like Vince Carter. I actually had two personal connections to this book. First my father Michael Stewart played for the raptors for a few seasons and during that time he played with Vince Carter and they became friends over those years. Second, he happens to live in my neighborhood in the off-season. He only lives here in the off-season because he’s currently playing in his 21st year in the NBA playing for the Atlanta Hawks. A recurring theme of this book is how he changed the game of basketball in Canada forever. Chris Young the author really emphasizes how he inspired many kids to play basketball in Canada. Nik Stauskas a current Canadian NBA player says he was inspired by Vince in Vince Carter’s documentary. I would recommend this book to any basketball fan that can read a book, or more specifically Raptors fans or Vince Carter fans like myself. This book was phenomenal I believe you should give it a try.

[E. L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but a good read. I though it was going to be about Vince Carter. But, it was more about the Raptors as a new team.

[Ladji]

he is my favorite basketball player ever i no every thing about him

[Shane Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author put me in depth and me feel like it was me who went though the emotional highs and lows as did Vince Carter. Very good read.