Vince Carter (photo. Mannion)Who are you and what have you done with Vince Carter? His (pre)season of resurgence continued in London yesterday in an exhibition against the Heat where VC, despite the fact that the game didn’t count, played on a sore hamstring and proceeded to attack the tin, getting himself to the foul line 10 times on his way to 19 points, fours boards, four dimes and three steals. So before we’re all browbeaten with hundreds of articles about Vince stepping it up this season, what do you think the story is? Has he always been like this and we just haven’t noticed? Were Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson the real problems in New Jersey? … If you just looked at Brook Lopez’s numbers from yesterday against the Heat - eight points, 13 rebounds, two steals and three blocks - you would have thought he had a great game right? If you actually watched the game though, you probably can’t figure out how he put up those stats. He was dropping passes under the hoop, missing shots and throwing the ball all over the gym. He was so bad, NBA TV’s Rick Kamla and Steve Smith were literally laughing at him and suggesting that Brook burn the tape of the game …
G.O. isn’t the only show in the PDXThe Portland Trail Blazers, everybody’s new favorite team, were at it last night against the Utah Jazz, and from their embarrassment of riches in the young talent department, Nicolas Batum had himself a night. Batum went for 16 on 7-11 shooting, pulled three boards, came up with two dimes, two steals, two threes and three blocks. With all of the hype around Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless and Sergio Rodriguez, no one’s even mentioned Batum, who might just be a Rudy Gay in the making. True, once the real games start, Batum will most likely be buried on the bench behind the Blazers’ army of more-developed talent, but guys like Martell Webster best be on notice (if they aren’t already). Martell might not have any minutes waiting for him when he comes off the disabled list …
Nicolas Batum (photo. Matt Costa)Also in that game, Andrei Kirilenko came off the bench to put up an AK-like line with his usual grab bag of points, blocks, assists and steals. It looks like Jerry Sloan is going to start with Andrei coming off the pine behind C.J. Miles. It’s a move that makes sense, but Kirilenko has shown time and time again that he’s way too sensitive and seemingly has at least a meltdown or two every season when he needs to have his ego stroked to get him back in line. As the team’s highest-paid player (AK banks more than $16 mil this season), how is he going to handle a 6th man role? … The Sporting News released their pre-season NCAA All-American team and it looks like this: Psycho T, Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry, James Harden and Austin Daye. We pretty much agree with everyone but Daye. We just don’t see it with him yet. We’d probably go with someone like Louisville’s Earl Clark in that spot instead … E-mail from Austin yesterday: “Gary Payton is at the Seahawks/Packers game sitting in the ‘Hawk’s Nest’ section (a.k.a. The Crazy Folks) wearing a #12 Seahawks jersey. Unfortunately, GP looks like he’s on that Hot Plate Williams workout plan. I don’t think the comeback is gonna happen.” … We all got a good look at the sports/celebrity hierarchy in Los Angeles last night. Lakers games feature celebs like Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington and Andy Garcia at almost every game. The Dodgers? Tiger Woods aside, last night’s game NLCS game vs. the Phillies featured Ryan Seacrest, Pat Sajak and The Fonz … We’re out like the stars at Dodgers games.
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October 13th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Willis says:
enough with that first shit
I know james harden
October 13th, 2008 at 12:48 am
jz_smoove says:
Vince used to be THE MAN. dunno what happened after the 3rd year, he kinda just cruising about. I still watch highlights from dvd’s and man oh man was he amazing to watch. if this is indeed the new (again) Vince, then good for him. then I would miss him playing for the Raps again.
October 13th, 2008 at 1:01 am
E-Trouble says:
ich bin euer vater
October 13th, 2008 at 1:29 am
QuEsT??? says:
tina fey is kinda hot
October 13th, 2008 at 1:32 am
smity far away says:
i like the new format. and i remeber you all profiling batum before. Are the blazers the new suns in terms of scouting and player development? and how can the bulls and cavs follow in their footsteps (and the sonics-excuse me-thunder too…and also the knicks and bobcats (the strategy of picking up winning college players may not be working…or maybe the winners that they are picking are the wrong types…)
October 13th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Big Sia says:
called it about vince all along
Haters are gonna eat a dick this year
27-6-6
October 13th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Jones says:
It’s “grab bag,” not “grab back.”
October 13th, 2008 at 2:33 am
K Dizzle says:
“Has he always been like this and we just haven’t noticed?”
come on, dude
October 13th, 2008 at 2:40 am
David Brandon says:
i agree w/ smity….the new look is fresh.
an speakin of fresh!! why did beno drop kobe like that……i didnt think he had it in him. i kinda feel sorry for beno (and the kings) cause when the kings/lakers play next, i dont really see kobe forgetting something like that. lol
October 13th, 2008 at 2:43 am
alf (from melmak) says:
from what i read, it looks like the ak experiment will work just fine. he will be the go-to guy in that second unit, so his ego will not be a problem.
the jazz team this season is something like 10-deep. i would be pretty disappointed if they do not make the conference finals at least.
October 13th, 2008 at 3:17 am
sans says:
Vince might lead the L in scoring. Who else is gonna need shots on the Nets? Yi? Devin might take ten in a game…Lopez, Boone, and Williams can all get there’s off the offensive glass, because no one in their right mind should throw the ball down to them.
October 13th, 2008 at 3:20 am
DMC says:
The new format is clean as hell
October 13th, 2008 at 3:31 am
Eduardo says:
I’ve been warning you about Vince, he isn’t a regular player, he may not have an enormous champ heart, but he has the courage and the ability to step up his game whenever he desire. And I disagree with what you said about Brook Lopez, I was watching the game and for me he was just fighting for every ball, blocking guys in crucial moments, he looked good to me. Rudy Fernandez will make a big impact this year in the L but next year, with Ricky Rubio, NBA will just explode and American point guards will be forced to step up their game, he is truly amazing.
I´m out like Trenton Hassell playing D on Wade.
October 13th, 2008 at 3:48 am
QuEsT??? says:
there are some dime dick suckers in here.
October 13th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Wes says:
Carter had so ups and downs. His attitude wasn’t always the best in the game. But we all know that he’s got the skills to come up with a 20 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST on a regular. The surroundings definitely plays a big role in his game…
http://www.squidoo.com/jumplikevince
October 13th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Phileus says:
QuEst???, is Carlos Arroyos’ dick tastier? Let us know.
Anyway, maybe VC is ready to take over leadership of the team. Being rated so lowly, when before his star power alone could carry teams to the playoffs, had to hurt his heart a little bit - if he has a heart…
October 13th, 2008 at 4:38 am
KBY says:
Well Vince Carter didn’t earn the nickname Wince Harder for nothing.
Still great if he kept it up but seeing as the Nets are heavily rebuilding, would he still play with effort once they have lost a bundle of games (like December).
October 13th, 2008 at 5:36 am
smity far away says:
i meant to say are the blazers the new spurs, not suns (they havent done nearly as much as the spurs have in the field of finding great/good players from nowhere…)
October 13th, 2008 at 5:42 am
smity far away says:
@KBY
i swear i came up with that name for vince back in 01-02. if only people were around me to verify it…
@ David Brandon
I guess i need to check the highlights then. If only Beno could have put it all together back when he was with the spurs they wouldnt need Vaughn (even though he is solid for them)…
@ Eduardo
I guess i really need to check the highlights. Trent used to be my guy when he was on the bulls. He’s gettin old now though…matter fact, everybody is (vince, ai, duncan, sheed, kg and them)…
October 13th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Flying-Aussie-Dutchman says:
Vince is playing hard so other teams trade for him
October 13th, 2008 at 6:08 am
smity far away says:
i just say beno leave kobe for a second. ugh.
October 13th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Jas says:
I can’t believe you didn’t mention Beno Udrih dropping Kobe on a spin move. Check the Kings-Lakers highlights and give respect where repsect is due.
October 13th, 2008 at 6:59 am
schoops says:
@eduardo… vince has the courage to step up when he desires? wouldn’t it be better if he had the courage to step up even when he didnt feel like it, not just when it s convenient? and i think american PGs d. williams and c. paul are more than ready for anything ricky rubio throws at them.
October 13th, 2008 at 8:03 am
sans says:
Ricky is ill, but he’ll get served for a couple years, just like DRose is gone take his lumps like a villain in a Bugs Bunny cartoon. How many lumps do you like in your tea? 82?
October 13th, 2008 at 8:04 am
sans says:
@ smitty, what country are you in? Kenya?
October 13th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Big Sia says:
VC was killing it when Dime was in Diapers.
October 13th, 2008 at 8:28 am
smity far away says:
@sans
at least in Rose’s case he’ll get his (servings) sooner and should be able to adjust sooner than rubio will be able to being that rose could probably jump into that starting role as a rookie whereas rubio is (barring something dramatic happening) probably gonna be doing a lot more watching the real games than playing in them. but yeah, you right, lumps will be handed out.
nah not kenya. Kikaaya is in Uganda.
October 13th, 2008 at 8:32 am
THA NEXT HIGHFLIYA!!! says:
@David Brandon
Beno Udrih crossed up Kobe or did Kobe tell on him?(You know the joke)
October 13th, 2008 at 8:47 am
sans says:
If Rubio goes 1 or 2, he’s starting. Unless a team does not need him whatsoever when they draft him, then treat him like Darko and fuck his game up for the rest of time…
October 13th, 2008 at 9:04 am
smity far away says:
i saw the replay of this and it was nice then but this picture is just nasty. I’m actually starting to think that the east really will be competitive this year (at least amongst themselves) matter of fact, they (teams like philly, toronto, and even new york) might start beating western teams that people don’t expect them to beat. washington just needs a team of traveling doctors and preventative medicine experts, milwaukee needs a better everything, and the bulls just need a beast in the paint. and oh yeah, jersey/brooklyn is this close to deserving to have Stern hand them Lebron if cleveland (the players and management) refuses to help dude out and help him win something significant like a chip this year…
but anyway, this is a nice photo
http://www.nba.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0810/101208preseason/content.2.html
October 13th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Amar says:
ouch @ AK’s meltdowns. he’s already come out to told the media that he has no problem coming off the bench, he’s a professional athlete who has been playing pro ball since he was 15. he’s not a baby, especially if he still gets 30+ mpg, and finishes games, does it matter? it doesn’t matter to manu.
btw, everyone talks about oden, bynum and howard like they’ve already won multiple titles and all-star game MVPs. it’s a little premature. (kind of like the rockets and blazers sizing themselves for rings right now) kyrylo fesenko (more known as being a good quote) had a double double last night. he’s slowly coming around, especially with his double secret probation workouts with mark eaton. he just may be the eaton to bynum’s kareem. (in terms of age, what teams they play for, and so forth. don’t think eaton was good? go rewatch the ‘88 playoffs)
October 13th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Amar says:
Fes also put the clamps on Oden (who has previously been averaging 13 ppg), who finished with 6 points.
October 13th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Ross says:
Um, did I just read the daily Smack?
October 13th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Dagomar says:
“Has he always been like this and we just haven’t noticed?”
No. But he HAS always tantalized us with what he COULD do, what he could be, and most often when it mattered least. The guy had the natural talent and athleticism to be better than Kobe. But we’ve gone over this.
October 13th, 2008 at 10:32 am
C-Quenz says:
VC Sucks…He’s hot now cuz its preseason but when the real games start…shiiiit, he’s gonna pull up lame as always, and start jackin them threes, jackin, jackin them threes. he’s a has been who never was…but the best dunker of all time…so sad….so so sad.
October 13th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
David Brandon says:
@smity,
i had to make sure it was beno! lol!
@HIFLIYA,
man, why you gotta take it there! haha all bad….
October 13th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
rodnets says:
john salmons facial hair is disgusting. I believe he uses it as a weapon to disturb in defense. I saw him put it in Kobe’s mouth
October 13th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
parinaz suns says:
hahah at rodnets
October 13th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Eduardo says:
@ schoops
Yes, I can see your point, but that’s the thing about Carter, his career his full of ups and downs. But hey, championships are not for everyone and Carter is one of does players that really captivate your attention and make your love for the game grow. I live in Portugal, here the games are at midnight(the ones which start at 7p.m.E.T.)and finish like three or four in the morning, so you really need motivation to watch the NBA and wake up at 7.am and go to college. Vince is one of those guys who I respect and make my love for the game grow,basketball is written all over him. On Ricky Rubio I was just messing with you guys, D-Will and CP3 are great guys with a lot of talent,and love for the game too.
Now I’m out like West coast games here in Portugal starting at 3h30 a.m.
October 13th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Eduardo says:
@smity far away
Yeah everyone is getting old,even I feel old with these guys.I think Hassell was a decent player back in the days, but against Miami, everytime he was defending D-Wade he just had to give that quick first step and that’s it. The monster dunk he threw on Yi started like that I think.
But I have to stop being nostalgic, this new generations is exciting too. Maaan I can’t wait to see Marc Gasol teaching something to his older brother.
October 13th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
smity far away says:
@Eduardo
pau may be in marc’s head from all the beating he’s probably given him over the years…we’ll see though
like, i can’t remember if gerald wilkins ever held his own against ‘nique. does anybody know?
October 14th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Sweet English says:
I was at the game sunday night and I don’t know how Rick and Steve were laughing at Brook when he was on the same team as Yi. The guy was a complete Joke.
Two other things i noticed. One. Marcus Banks was played amazingly at the point, yet didnt get a shout here so ill do it. It looks like the Heat are a real threat this season.
number two. Shawn Marions jumper is even more ugly from courtside than it is on T.V.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:24 am
Eduardo says:
If the Heat are a real threat this year what can we say about the Nets?They’ve beaten them two consecutive times.I think Miami doesn’t even make the playoffs.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:21 am
QQ says:
I really hope we gonna see a new Vince cause thinkin bout his potential makes me really dizzy.
Do it Vince!!!
October 14th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
doc says:
Yo fellas Im back.And give me Jonny Flynn over Rubio.I smell bust all over that one.