#3 Vince Carter
Vince Carter was one of the most exciting players to ever play the game of basketball. Known for his tremendous jumping ability and highlight reel dunks, Carter was rightfully referred to as "Half-Man/Half-Amazing."
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
Vince Carter was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the 1998 NBA draft but was traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he played alongside his cousin, Tracy McGrady.
Vince Carter recorded 14 wins while playing in 21 season opening games over the course of his career. He averaged 15.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for season openers.
Carter himself had a very long and successful NBA career. Having played in the NBA for 22 seasons, Carter is the only NBA player to have played across four decades.
He retired at the end of the 2019-20 season with the Atlanta Hawks. Vince Carter was the 1998-99 Rookie of the Year, an eight-time All-Star and a two-time member of the All-NBA team.
#2 Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett was one of the most influential players in the NBA. Known for his intense style of play and aggression, Garnett inspired a generation of players with his approach to the game.
Kevin Garnett was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1995 NBA Draft. Garnett broke the mold of what a player fresh out of high school could achieve. Turning the Timberwolves into a perennial playoff team by his sophomore season, Garnett had become an impact player early in his career.
Over the course of his 21 seasons in the NBA, Garnett played in every season opener, recording 15 wins in the process. He averaged 16.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for season openers.
Although Garnett enjoyed playoff appearances with the Timberwolves, he would only win an NBA title with the Boston Celtics. A 15-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and one-time MVP, Garnett could do whatever the team required him to do.
#1 Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan is widely regarded as one of the best power forwards of all time. Known for his strong foundation in the game of basketball, he was known as "The Big Fundamental".
Tim Duncan was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1997 NBA Draft and spent his entire career with the Spurs organization. Over the course of his 19 seasons in the NBA, Duncan won five NBA championships and was Finals MVP for three of those titles.
Tim Duncan played in 19 season openers and recorded an almost perfect 17 wins in those games played. He averaged 17.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for season openers.
Duncan has achieved many things with the Spurs. A 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-Defensive Team, two-time MVP and the 1997-98 Rookie of the Year, Tim Duncan also leads the NBA in playoff blocks with 568.
Timberwolves Nation! You can check out the latest Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and dive into the Timberwolves Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.