In-Vince-Ability

That header could be read various ways. For detractors of Vince Carter, it is invisibility, referencing him as Wince; that he has been prone to injuries; and how he has seemingly disappeared in big moments during seasons and games.

For admirers, it is clearly invincibility; of how he has refused to become a scapegoat for what ails those in the media who wanted to turn him into the next Michael Jordan, from a commodities-standpoint; and the debacle that the Toronto Raptors organization had become.

This past November the first rumors hit: Vince was on the trading block because his refusal to perform up to the standards set. And that he had requested a trade, away from the Toronto Raptors. So the debate began and for some odd reason most folks I spoke with thought Vince was some sort of media creation. That dunking and making the nightly highlight reel was his lone claim to fame.

Who could blame the casual fan, if their only point of reference was the media, including TV analyst Bill Walton, who during a broadcast stated Carter did not deserve to be voted in as a starter for the 2005 All-Star?

Many have only watched Vince when he plays their team (only 2 times per year for those in the Western Conference). Or during the All-Star game, Olympics and exhibition type events. I was fortunate enough to be living in an ACC state and catch him during his “Carolina Blue” days when he and Antawn Jamison led the Tar Heels to the Final Four.

College success does not necessarily transfer into NBA stardom, but for Vince it did, as he was selected Rookie of the Year for 1998-99. For the next two seasons, the Raptors made the playoffs, advancing to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals in 2000-2001.

Seeing the early blueprint for success, Carter opted to stay as a free agent. With Vince sidelined due to injuries, the team fought through and made the playoffs in 2001-02 season, losing in the first round.

What went wrong in Toronto? Enough to cause the Raptors to trade Vince for piecemeal to a divisional rival? What was Vince’s part in this fractured relationship?

A funny thing happened! During a televised interview with TNT’s coach John Thompson, Carter purged his soul by confessing he didn’t give his all playing for the Raptors. Though he had admitted the unspeakable, I understood why he had not maximized his effort, while toiling in an unstable, regressing work environment, in which he played for 4 different coaches in 7 seasons.

With Vince in the fold and Jason Kidd back from surgery, the Nets turned their season around and qualified for the playoffs. Though they were swept by the Miami Heat in the first round, the team proved in the regular season to have enough weapons to contend with the other teams in the league. For the Nets, the Heat pose the same dilema as they do for most other teams. Unless one has either a low post threat that commands a double-team, overcoming Heat Center Shaquille O’Neal is nearly impossible. That same player should also have the ability to rebound effectively and hit the outside shot.

It is sad to say but Vince Carter is truly the piece that will get moved to acquire such a big man. Carter fills the one major void that any floundering team looks at when willing to trade a superstar level big. He has drawing power and the offensive skill-set to bring most teams to playoff contention – provided the teams has a solid plan.

CARTER FOR WHO?

Kevin Garnett! Would Minny do it? For a package that includes either taking Wally Szczerbiak off their hands, or the Nets including Nened Krstic.

Zach Randolph and Joe Przbilla from Portland for Vince and Jason Collins?

Jamaal Magloire and filler in a straight-up trade?

The possibilities are endless. For many GM’s the question is not in-vince’s-ability, but whether he will become a malcontent when he is asked to be the focal point as well as the vocal leader.

The Battle for New York (part 2)

Back in April I wrote an article on how sports teams jockey for position in the New York / New Jersey area. Yesterday, the New Jersey Nets took the next step in their quest to enhance their presence in this battlefield.

As of this writing (09/15/05 3:45p.m. EST), Newsday.com’s poll:

Nets to nest in B’klyn?

Do you think the proposed Nets arena in Brooklyn is agood idea?

18.3%Yes. It will bring the area revenue and newbusinesses. (554 responses)

79.5%No. It will destroy the character and cause traffic.(2401 responses)

2.2%Not sure. (67 responses)

3022 total responses

I voted “No” though I am somewhat on the fence when it comes to this move. Coming from this side of the river to attend games at Continental Air Arena is not a pleasant experience. That goes only for the commute (to and from) and the lack of post-game activity near the arena. In this aspect, I believe the owner is right in seeking a better location, especially when fan-support (attendance) is lacking.

But, as long-time Brooklyn resident who has spent considerable social time near the area to be used for the Net’s Brooklyn move, I have seen the early negative effects of construction in that area. Downtown Brooklyn, home to Bruce Ratner’s Metrotech provides jobs to thousands and has a top-rated hotel nearby. Once the work day is done, there is little social activity near there, for lack of residents and a neighborhood feel.

As one proceeds further (about one mile, down Flatbush Avenue) into the borough, there stands the new shopping mall (Atlantic Terminal). The Nets’ new arnea and housing complex will stand next to this recent development. The borough will definitely lose more of its unique look, as it further becomes “Manhattan Extended”.

The other aspect of this battle: the potential use of eminent domain to force long-time residents from their property.

Many battles make a war…stay tuned for more.

See you next time on Nothin but Nets…

In the meantime hit me up with a comment and let’s politik on the Nets move to Brooklyn.

Nets Get Physical!!!

No way am I trying to take you back to the early eighties, but even in those days the franchise seemed cursed. Throughout the 1990’s and the new century, the death of Drazen Petrovic, and injuries to key players – Jayson Williams, Kerry Kittles, Kenyon Martin – became synonymous with Nets’ fortunes.

The hiring of Rod Thorn and trade for Jason Kidd turned the tide in the team’s favor and netted multiple dividends, see back-to-back NBA Finals appearances for clarification. Things were rolling smoothly until you know – let’s just call it, a change in philosophy took place.

After last year, one beset by adjusting to a new ownership, coupled with injuries to starters and bench players, the Nets have simply gotten tougher on what constitutes passing a physical.

And, I totally agree. Unless a player is a bona fide, like Vince Carter, every measure should be taken to protect the team’s interest.

With that said, am I the only one glad the team did not get Shareef Abdur Rahim? Hear me out! SAR’s numbers are gaudy like rims on a SUV. I know you’re thinking I am going to state the obvious, in terms of what he did or did not do in Vancouver and Atlanta; and heck, even Portland’s playoff streak ended when he came to town.

SAR”s first 3 NBA stops:

Vancouver moved shortly after – so obviously that’s not his fault. Coincidentally, how good is Vince Carter being able to carry a Canadian team that early in his career? That’s another day’s talk…

Atlanta lost its soul as an NBA franchise after what they did to Dominique Wilkins. Yeah, they had a few more years when they were on the brink of teetering making a playoff push here and there. Then they got swept by the Knicks in 1999, who obviously didn’t heed caution, and turned around and pulled an Atlanta – trading a lifelong dedicated superstar for piecemeal.

Why did Portland trade for SAR? To get rid of Rasheed Wallace and try to shed an image? Possibly! Is that SAR’s fault they had him playing behind Zach Randolph and he became the first veteran casualty of the Trailblazers’ youth movement.? Of course not!

So why no cheer for the Nets trying to sign him to a modest deal? I look at the team, division and conference. At positions 1, 2, and 3 (starters), the Nets are a solid offensive force who with Kidd’s lead will play solid D throughout. On the front line, Jason Collins knows his role and does a fine job but often times last year he seemed like a guy who (for lack of a better term) needed a role model. So does Nened Krstic!

These two young big men need a veteran or other young player who is a firebrand. A technical foul-getter. A guy who other players fear might swing first. Kenyon was that. SAR is not. Even in games when Kmart got only 15 points and 12 rebounds, best believe the other team’s front line did not dominate – even if they scored or rebounded more than the Nets did.

I am not saying the Nets doctors doctored the result but I think some basketball analysis went into the decision, with perhaps a nudge, after some reevaluating from Thorn. So that’s why Marc Jackson makes so much sense.

Don’t be surprised if he returns to "form" and goes for 12 to 15 a night coupled with 8 to 10 boards. This is the first time since his stint with the Golden State Warriors that he will not be asked to take a total backseat to other frontline players like he did in Minny and Philly.

The thing I like about Thorn is his appetite for destruction. He sees what other teams have and he not only wants to build his own - he thinks of ways to undermine his competition. He went out on a very thin limb to grab Robert Traylor as another bulky guy for the middle.

Again, the Nets saw something they didn’t like! No not in his physical! You don’t sign a guy nicknamed “Tractor” thinking he’s going to be the embodiment of physical fitness. Thorn felt he needed a guy to bang with Shaq & Mourning; Ben & Rasheed; all the while taking something away from Cleveland.

The basis of not passing Tractor has to do with his inability to play above the rim and at full-speed the way Kidd runs the break. At that time as constituted, none of the Net’s big men could really run on the break and spot up for a 3pointer.

After passing up Traylor, the Nets signed Scott Padgett and Lamond Murray – athletic enough to run and proven outside threats to go with the wily but much slowed veteran Cliff Robinson.

At the 4 & 5 the Nets have offensive talent (Krstic), bangers (Collins and Jackson) and outside threats (Robinson, Padgett and Murray).

Still not convinced? Why make all these moves when the team could have simply signed SAR? SAR at the mid-level or slightly above for 5 years would be impossible to trade, whereas any of the recent acquisitions can be packaged for what will eventually be Thorn’s biggest move.

What is it? See you next time on Nothin but Nets…

In the meantime hit me up with a comment and let’s politik on what on paper seems to be a near-conference championship caliber team.

Alternate Side of the Streak Hitting

by Guichard Cadet

In most New York City neighborhoods, cars are not allowed to park on one side of the street for a period – generally 1.5 hours, and 4 days a week. This is called “Alternate Side of the Street Parking”. The rule is in effect year-round, except holidays and days on which heavy snow has fallen.

In mimicking this city regulation, the Mets only hit for a few games or series at a time. In the month of August, they had 140 runs scored while giving up 104, but only earned a record of 16 wins against 12 losses. They ended up winning only 4 out 9 series.

The series against the Arizona Diamondbacks best highlights the team’s streaky nature. In a four-game sweep, they won 4-1; 14-1; 18-4; and 3-1. Since then they have lost 2 series, one in which they scored only 1 run in 3 straight games.

Their upcoming schedule pits them against divisional foes, many of which are their main competitors for the league’s lone Wild Card spot. The Mets are 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. For them to make the leap to serious contender, they need to show more consistency at the plate to match that of their starting pitchers.