July 6, 2004

CARTER’S LATEST WAIL IS SIMPLY VINCE TALKING TO THE WIND

       There is an old Moody Blues song that contains the lyric—“I talk to the wind, but the wind does not hear.”  As much as anything that lyric describes Vince Carter’s latest subterfuge.  Without appearing to be demanding or sulky Vince has let it be known—through his agent—that the Raptors should seek out suitors for a possible trade.  Instead of coming out in the press, like Shaq, and demanding a trade, or publicly feuding with the organization paving the way for a trade, like T-Mac, Vince has decided to play it coy, like a female in heat.  Of course, since most of Vince’s advice comes from females, his mother and now his wife, is it surprising that he has chosen this course of action. 

       There is nothing but silence coming out of Vince’s camp.  Even his blabbermouth mother can’t be provoked into revealing his strategy, but the non-denial denials—a Watergate term—can’t help but indicate that Vince has indeed asked the Raptors to move him.  Of course he realizes that the organization won’t simply move him because that’s what he wants—the trade needs to make sense from a Raptor perspective.  Sure it would be nice if there was some other team willing to fill the Raptor needs and take the spoiled brat off Toronto’s hands, but unfortunately there isn’t another team that either seems willing or able to comply.

       Apparently Vince has given the Raptors a list of four to six teams that he would be willing to go.  Isn’t that nice.  Let’s see…Vince would like to play for the Lakers, the Spurs, the Pistons, the Kings, the Wolves and the Nets.  Okay, so let’s see if the Lakers would want to move Shaq, eat half of the big man’s salary and move him to Toronto for Vince?  Or how about a sign and trade for Kobe?  Would the Spurs have the players that would interest the Raptors, and would Vince be happy playing with arch-enemy Bruce Bowen?   Now, the Pistons would have to move either Rip Hamilton or Chauncey Billups—fat chance, the Wolves would have to move Latrell Sprewell—something that would make the Raptors shiver, the Kings would have to move Peja Stoyakovic—no way and the Nets would have to move Jason Kidd.  Okay Vince—where else would you like to go?

       How about Salt Lake City, Vince?  Or Atlanta?  You seem to have all the answers—maybe you can convince Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley that Orlando isn’t the place to be, and Toronto is?  Remember, Vince, your trade value isn’t as high as it used to be, and it certainly doesn’t match with your grossly inflated salary. 

       Listen, we in Toronto are willing to forgive you for this latest attempt to circumnavigate your way around the NBA.  We already have forgiven you for your lackluster attempts to recruit top-notch talent to the city.  Each off-season you crow that you will bring one of your fabulous NBA superstars to the city to play with the Raptors, and each off-season you fail to bring anyone even close to being a star.  I don’t classify Milt Palacio as a star.  And remember your biggest recruit was Hakeem Olajuwon, and the big stiff’s big contract stagnated the franchise for years.  So don’t go out there and talk as if you have insight into talent, and a method into bringing a championship to the city.  You don’t.  Your best path is to simply play, and play with enthusiasm, and then all will be forgiven.  The city has grown weary of your talk, of your crustiness toward any criticism, and to your inability to stay on your feet long enough to get this team on a roll.  To us, when you speak you are simply speaking into the wind. 

       Now, let’s look ahead.  The team is going about filling its major weaknesses.  You are reported to have been distressed by GM Rob Babcock’s drafting of a big center, but Rafael Araujo will help plug the huge hole in the middle.  He is not the only answer—Babcock still needs to add a veteran front court presence as well as some needed help in the back court—but it looks as if the Raptors are slowly acquiring, along with Chris Bosh, some solid young talent.  Wouldn’t you kick yourself if the Raptors made it to the NBA Finals and you weren’t on the team?  Yes, you’re upset that the organization didn’t consult you when hiring the GM, or the coach, or you weren’t asked your opinion before the draft.  But then Vince, remember you are a player—it is a privilege to be asked your opinion on the construction of the team, it is not a right.  And since your play has deteriorated the past few years, during a time in your career when you should be reaching for the stars, you can’t possibly be insulted.  You aren’t the player, and you don’t have the influence, you once had.

      So Vince, my advice to you, is that when you arrive in town later this month for your annual charity event—suck up to the Raptor fans.  Let them know that you have no interest in being anywhere this coming winter other than Toronto, and that you believe you can lead this team to a playoff spot this year, and to a championship in the future.  Repair your tattered image—and stop talking to the wind.