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.