The local and national media have spent an abundance of time and print on the decline and fall of Vince Carter. Since his slump began in late-December, it has been the most discussed topic related to Magic basketball. It isn't just the media; its the fans as well. It hasn't helped that Vince's slump has coincided with a stretch of Magic losses last month. Even though the Magic seem to have righted themselves and are back to winning ballgames, Carter's slump continues, with the latest trend being that he doesn't play in the fourth quarter. Yes, it is fair to point out that Vince not playing in the fourth quarter is humorous in an unfunny way, considering he was brought in to be the go-to scorer in the 4th quarter of close games. But I'm not intending to recap what has already been written or to provide some form of a retort to those who have provided Carter with a bright, blazing spotlight these past few weeks. In fact, I'd like to thank them.
Let Vince Carter be the story. Let him be the focus. If he's not going to make the shots, let him take the shots. Vince is becoming the Magic's decoy both on and off the court. Let everyone around the league be so focused on Vince and his struggles that it lessens the glare on the more intriguing Magic stories that are developing as the Magic hit their stride. Dwight Howard's renewed energy, focus, and his ability to stay on the floor for big minutes instead of being in foul trouble. The exploding confidence of JJ Redick and Ryan Anderson. The steady "glue" contributions of Jason Williams and Matt Barnes. The quiet cool of Sweet Lew and his rock solid play of late. In fact, Rashard Lewis has flourished as much as any Magic player during Vince’s period of struggle. In his last 10 games – the time period showcasing the Magic's upturn – Lewis is averaging 17.1 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 46% shooting from the field (including 43% from the arc), and one awesome game winner to beat the Boston Celtics, which was dubiously set up by the decoy himself! That layup by Lewis with Kevin Garnett guarding him is my favorite play of the year so far. During that same 10-game span, Lewis has averaged 34.6 minutes a game (a significant amount for anyone not named Dwight Howard on this deep team!), showing how valuable and dependable he is as a steady contributor.
As far this fan is concerned, Vince Carter can continue to be less than half-amazing if it means the rest of his teammates continue to flourish and the team continues to rack up wins. If Vince’s poor shooting, or absence in 4th quarters means that he is the center of scrutiny, I don't think that Dwight Howard will mind having a shorter time answering questions in the Magic locker room.
Vince drawing this much attention off the court is just a bonus to what he was meant to do on the court. Regardless of whether Vince scores 20 points or two points, opposing teams must still plan for him and in many cases, double team him. The other team can never know if THIS is the night that Vince busts out his "A" game and puts up 35 points. In spite of the recent trend, Vince's reputation remains the same, an offensive player for whom you must account. Considering that he is sharing the court with Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, and Dwight Howard, then it becomes apparent that splitting that focus up among so many threats makes prepping for the Magic a grueling process for the other NBA coaches. Magic GM Otis Smith summed up this sentiment when speaking to the Orlando Sentinel:
"I didn't bring Vince Carter here to score 25 points a night." "What you have to do is guard him every night and when you guard him, somebody else is open," Smith said. "I don't care if we have 12 guys averaging 10 points a night. It's not centered around one guy."
If Vince’s slump should continue as the playoffs draw nearer, more will be made of the fact that the guy brought in to replace and improve upon our previous “Mr. 4th Quarter,” Hedo Turkoglu, is barely even playing in the 4th quarter. This is highly unlikely; however, because ultimately, Vince Carter will adjust and figure out how to be effective late in close games. As the pace of the game slows down in the playoffs, his ability to isolate and go one-on-one to the basket, with a good chance of a foul call, will be more pronounced. I truly believe that this is simply a time of adjustment for him, a time when he is still finding his place on the most talented roster he’s ever been on. But in the meantime, acting as the decoy for the rest of his talented teammates seems to be working just fine, even if this isn’t quite the way that he, or the Magic, had envisioned his role on this team.
Oh and guess what? Vince Carter played 40 minutes in Tuesday's win over the Bucks, shot 7 of 15, scored 17 points, dished out 7 assists and snagged 10 boards. It's only one game, so I'm not saying his decoy days are over, but a player as naturally talented as Vince Carter could certainly manage to carry a team while occasionally running interference. After all, isn’t that what a decoy is for?
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Nice read. I don't think the Magic do well when they get positive press for some reason. Overconfidence maybe? They seem to play better with a chip on their shoulder.
************************** "You're just like Rashard Lewis: cold blooded." ~Kberto
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Former A-10 standouts and Associated Press National Players of the Year Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's and Xavier's David West have been named to the NBA All-Star team and will square off Feb. 15 in Phoenix, Ariz. It marks Nelson's first All-Star selection, while West earns his second straight honor.
Posts: 6668 | Location: Perpetual English Confounder | Registered: July 10, 2007
Originally posted by Jareth Cutestory: Woah, since when did you get a blog?
I stole it from Maggie Lizzer. She never saw it coming.
Echo...you may have a point there.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
If he's not going to make the shots, let him take the shots.
No... thats not what he was brought in here for. Him shooting off balance shots and missing could never help this team. Flawed logic. We don't need a decoy, we need a finisher. VC is not that guy. If you think hes getting alot of hate now, you haven't seen anything. Just let him blow a couple of playoff games and people will be calling for his head. Hes lost his lift, hes lost his shot, hes by far one of the least dependable players on the team. No team can win a championship if 20% of the team is a decoy. Sorry...
If he's not going to make the shots, let him take the shots.
No... thats not what he was brought in here for. Him shooting off balance shots and missing could never help this team. Flawed logic. We don't need a decoy, we need a finisher. VC is not that guy. If you think hes getting alot of hate now, you haven't seen anything. Just let him blow a couple of playoff games and people will be calling for his head. Hes lost his lift, hes lost his shot, hes by far one of the least dependable players on the team. No team can win a championship if 20% of the team is a decoy. Sorry...
If you've never heard the sentiment "if you've got lemons, make lemonade," then you completely missed the point of my piece.
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
I liked where this was going till the last paragraph. Almost like you felt bad about being so harsh so your giving us a reason we should lighten up on him.
Originally posted by Nathan Rule: I liked where this was going till the last paragraph. Almost like you felt bad about being so harsh so your giving us a reason we should lighten up on him.
Nah, was just trying to provide a little hope. I sure need some after last night's game. Still trying to shake that one.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Originally posted by ThisIsTheYear: LOD, I remember when your avy featured Jameer, Trevor, Darko, Hill, and Dwight. I would always say, "What's Hill doing in there?"
Good times.
Really? I don't remember ever having Hill in there. I'll have to go back and check the old image files. What was I thinking?
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Interesting way to look at the unfortunate display of scoring that Vince has put on this season LOD.
The bottom line is is that Vince is an 8 time all-star and has rocked the NBA in a way that no one has before; his nickname half-man half-amazing did not come from nowhere. This is the man that gave us all the pleasure of watching one of the best dunking spectacles anyone has ever put on in 2000.
Now i'm gonna talk to all of you Vince haters out there that claim that we should've kept paid Hedo the money and not have signed Carter. Most of you probably have not have been following the Toronto Raptors, including myself, but if you look at the numbers that Hedo has been putting up you will see that the newcomer in toronto is only averaging 12.4 ppg while Vince is averaging 15.8 ppg. Hmmm, that's weird, i thought Hedo was better than Vince. The way i see it is that any newcomer to any team/offense/defense is going to have trouble in the beginning of their switch. I believe that in due time we're going to see that vincanity that the whole Magic nation was expecting.
Even though I can see your way of looking at this situation that the Magic are faced with LOD, i just can't agree with the fact that Vince is nothing more than a "decoy." I will guarantee you this, me and every NBA team are not looking at Vince as a decoy because if they are, they got another thing coming for them; half-man half-amazing.
Originally posted by Magic Fanatic: Even though I can see your way of looking at this situation that the Magic are faced with LOD, i just can't agree with the fact that Vince is nothing more than a "decoy." I will guarantee you this, me and every NBA team are not looking at Vince as a decoy because if they are, they got another thing coming for them; half-man half-amazing.
Magic Fanatic, I very much appreciate your take on this! In light of your comments here, my guess is that you were pleased with tonight's performance! ;-)
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
orlandomagiczone.com 
