Two of the most iconic NBA stars of the 2000s now proudly boast their spots in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Fans have long awaited the enshrinement of Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups. ‘Mr. Big Shot’ was the driving force behind the Detroit Pistons‘ victory over the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in 2004, a team that had just secured three consecutive NBA titles. As for Carter, he was the heartbeat of the game, infusing it with unforgettable entertainment.

While no amount of words can truly capture or compare the legacies of these two NBA legends, here is our attempt to do justice. Even though both players belong to the same era, comparing them is a bit tricky. Each had distinct roles in the league and excelled in different areas. The stats, too, tell a different story. The former Toronto star, Carter, surely holds an edge in regular-season games, averaging 16.7 points per game compared to Mr. Big Shot’s 15.2.

When it comes to rebounds, Carter is also ahead with 4.3, surpassing Billups’ 2.9. The former Detroit Pistons star’s assist stats are much more impressive and outshine those of ‘Air Canada’.

Carter’s longevity is notable. He played for 22 years across eight teams, Nets, Raptors, Mavericks, Hawks, Grizzlies, Magic, Kings, and Suns. On the other hand, Billups played for 17 seasons before transitioning successfully into a head coach for the Portland Trailblazers within just 4-5 years after retirement. While Carter was named for 2 All-NBA Teams, Billups was selected for 3. 

When it comes to scoring prowess, Carter also leads with a stunning total of 25,728 points, far surpassing Chauncey’s 15,802. The former Toronto Raptors star had his best scoring year just three years into the NBA, averaging 27.6 points per game in 2001. 

Both Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups were basketball icons

It didn’t take much time for the Detroit Pistons to realize they had landed a golden opportunity when they acquired Billups in 2002. Within a year, he was able to change the trajectory. And finally, in 2003-04, we saw a tough Pistons team that pushed one of the best NBA teams to its limits. Lakers legend Kobe Bryant once admitted how this was one of the most disappointing loss. Billups’ leadership merged with impressive skills such as an impeccable 38.7 three-point shooting percentage, helped him win the MVP honor that year.

And then, we had Air Canada‘s dunk displays! Fans crowded the arenas just to witness his God-like dunks that surely get replicated but have rarely been surpassed. The 8X NBA All-Star between-the-legs slam dunk in the 2000 Slam Dunk contest will never be forgotten. One thing that remained elusive in Billup’s resume is the Rookie of the Year honor. Carter was crowned the honor in 1999. However, the dunk king’s mastery faded a bit when it came to three-point shooting and free-throw efficiency. Carter is an impressive shooter on his own for sure but Billups took the lead in that field. 

As for the playoffs, both have nearly equal experience. ‘Mr. Big Shot’ made it to the playoffs 12 times, while the ROTY winner Carter, made it 11 times. The ‘Vinsanity’ gained huge popularity among fans when he helped the Toronto Raptors clinch a spot in the playoffs for the first time in consecutive seasons. Interesting right? The Raptors will honor the NBA legend by retiring his jersey no. 15 and so will the Brooklyn Nets. 

Regardless of the era, one concept that often causes misunderstanding is the importance of rings in defining an NBA player’s greatness. Although a championship ring doesn’t describe the greatness of a player, one may argue that Carter never won an NBA title, while Mr. Big Shot managed to secure a championship with the Pistons. However, both were great players and this one shortfall doesn’t take away what they did for the game. Carter was presented with the Hall of Fame induction by Tracy McGrady, and Julius Erving while Larry Brown, Tina Thompson, and Ben Wallace made attendance for Billups. 

Both have been remarkable in their own way. One was a high-flying dunk star, while the other boasted awe-inspiring leadership skills.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.