Who are those players that perpetually find themselves catching more significant L’s than W’s? For the next couple weeks we’ll be calling them out one at a time:
VINCE CARTER
Numbers: 31 years old, 10 NBA seasons, 23.8 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists.
Highest high: Gold medal in the 2000 Olympics. Vince was Team USA’s leading scorer at 14.8 points per, and of course he did this.
Lowest low: In ‘02-03, injuries limited Vince to just 43 games with the Raptors, and the team went 24-58. Carter’s 20.6 scoring average was the lowest of his career since his rookie year.
History of losing
Everything was going fine for Vince Carter until May 20, 2001, when his Raptors faced Game 7 in the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals. As fate would have it, graduation ceremonies at UNC were scheduled the same morning as the do-or-die game in Philly. In a controversial move, Vince decided to take a private jet to graduation, then fly back before the game. Despite putting up 20 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals that night (plus missing a potential game-winner) in a one-point loss, Vince never lived down the questions that he wasn’t totally committed to winning. Soon after, once knee and other leg injuries started to become a factor, Vince started getting accused of playing soft — settling for jump shots when he could drive the lane to create easier baskets and/or get to the free throw line. He’s also accused often of faking or milking injuries; he’s been seen laughing and joking with opponents in the middle of games where his team is losing; he sometimes openly sulks on the court when things aren’t going his way; and if you watch VC in pre-game warmups, he doesn’t look like a guy who’s focused on the task at hand. Finally, and most damaging, Vince admitted during a national TV interview that he didn’t play his hardest all the time. Although it’s since been argued that his words were taken out of context, the perception of him hasn’t changed.
Will he ever be a winner?
Vince can give you 20-25 points a night, he’s hit numerous game-winning or game-tying shots in the final seconds, and he hits his free throws. He’s not not a clutch player, and he’s going to be the most talented player on most teams he plays for, but he won’t ever reach the pinnacle if he’s the alpha dog or “leader” of a team. At this point, the best scenario for Vince would be playing a role similar to the one Rip Hamilton plays in Detroit. He can be his team’s top scorer, but he’ll have to be bolstered by a veteran-laden group around him that plays solid defense, and there’s a strong-willed coach and lead guard who will take charge on the court and in the locker room. If all VC has to do is get buckets (within the system) and play somewhat-adequate defense, he can win a championship as an impact player.
Sort of a harsh article for someone like Vince Carter.
But I'd still take him on my team.
