Yup, I decided to take a few days off last week...and what happens?
Vince Carter will be wearing an Orlando Magic uniform next season.
Remind me never to go on vacation again.
As I have bopped around town over the last few days, you've told me what you've thought of this deal. According to my unscientific poll of emailers, callers, texters and in-my-face citizens, I'd say it's about 50-50.
There is no in-between game here....Either you love this deal or you hate it!
Here's what I love about this deal.
I do love the fact that this franchise is going for it.
I love the fact that Otis Smith, Bob Vanderweide and the rest of the Magic brain trust are gambling on greatness.
This is the kind of deal that sends a message to the rest of the league. It's the kind of deal that sends a message to you fans. It also tells the rest of our players that this is an organization that is not content with just winning the pennant. They want to see Rich DeVos standing up on that same stage that the Lakers were perched on a few weeks ago.
Give me an organization that's willing to gamble on greatness instead of a team that sits back and waits for something great to happen. This team wants to win now. I love that.
I love that Vince is a true go-to-guy.
Let's be honest. We need that guy. Even if we had re-signed Turk, we still would have needed that guy. Some of you would argue that our most pressing need is another big. Yes, we still need another big body. But the one main ingredient missing from this team reaching optimal level was a go-to-guy, a guy who can break down a defense when need be. We needed a guy who you could give the ball to in crunch time to get us a big bucket or to get to the free throw line. We needed a guy who you could isolate one-on-one. Vince Carter has the ability to be our money player, something that all great teams have.
Here's what I don't love about this deal.
How much does Vince have left?
V-C turns 33 in January. He has three years left on his mega-contract.
Vince comes off a season in which he averaged 20.8 points per game with NJ. That's a solid number. But considering that number is his lowest average since his rookie season, there's concern here that the downside of his career is fast-approaching.
Now, we all have to keep in mind that Vince played for a Net team that was beginning a rebuilding process last season. What we also have to be aware of is that, without Richard Jefferson on VC's flank, defenses loaded up on him last season. Granted, he's been about as durable as they come at the two guard spot over the last four years, appearing in an average of 79 games per season. But, there's no doubt that we are all wondering how much Vince has left in his tank.
What's Vince ever won?
Other than the 2000 dunk contest, not a whole lot.
Vince has made it as far as the Eastern Conference Semifinals three times during his 11 year career. Sure, he's made eight All Star teams and wracked up countless ESPN highlight awards. In all fairness, Vince has not been surrounded by the greatest of talent throughout his career. But, bottom line is that Vince has not won anything.....yet.
I hate that it looks like Hedo Turkoglu is not gonna be back.
I just get the sneaky suspicion that Otis got some not so subtle vibes from Camp Turk that Hedo was looking for mega years and mega money. I also understand that, if you are standing still in this league, often times you're backpedaling. Would we be favored to beat the Celtics, Cavs and or Lakers next year with virtually the same team we had this year? Probably not.
That doesn't make this any easier. Turkoglu, as Turk says, became Turkoglu here in Orlando over the last five years. He's grown into one of the most versatile players in the game today. There's not a thing he cannot do on the basketball court. Does he drive ya nuts sometimes with his scatter-brained passes into the third row of the stands? Sure. But, Turk is a great talent. Ya hate to let those types of guys go free. I sincerely hope there's a way that Turk comes back...but, barring a minor miracle, I just don't see any way that can happen now that we've made the deal for Vince.
I hate giving up Courtney Lee.
My daughter is still giving me the cold shoulder. I guess she has the notion that I had something to do with trading one of her favorites, Courtney. Otis even admitted Thursday night that the one major sticking point in the deal was Courtney. Otis didn't want to let him go. Rod Thorn wasn't gonna make the deal if Courtney were not involved.
Pau Gasol-like deals happen once in a blue-moon in this league. Ya gotta give up something to get something. I hate to see Courtney go because, while I don't see Courtney ever becoming a star in this league, I see him as being a solid NBA player and citizen for the next decade.
Bottom line is this....We gave up a lot to get a much-needed go-to-guy in Vince Carter.
I will love this deal if it leads us to an NBA Championship. I will hate this deal if it doesn't.