Good When He Wants To Be?

The buzz player in the NBA, before the LeBrons and Dwyanes and Carmelos, was a man that played north of the border.  Hailing from one of the more sacred institutions in college basketball, Vince Carter was supposed to be it.  The next big thing.

And for a while, he was.  For the first three years of his career, Carter dominated.  Dunking over people, jumping over people and then dunking on them, Carter was all over highlight reels.  He was a force and in some crazy circles because of his collegiate heritage, considered to be the next MJ.

Now, since his Airness has left the game, the public has been desperate to find some unwitting sole to fill his shoes.  No one can, no one will.  To ask Carter or LeBron or Wade or anyone else to do it is a bit much.  Still, Carter ultimately wilted under the enduring pressure to live up to his UNC predecessor.  But that wasn't what changed Carter into the man we see today.

No, it wasn't the pressure of being the next Jordan, or even all of his injuries.  Those two things contributed, sure, but the biggest issue came on a spring day in 2001.  Carter, staying true to a promise he'd made to his mother, had finished his requirements at UNC, and was going to graduate.  He wanted to walk with his classmates.

Only problem, it was the morning of an obviously enormous game for the Raptors---Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semis against the 76ers.  But still, Carter was assured that he'd be able to make it back from the ceremonies in time to play in the game.  He'd wind up missing the game-winner with 2.0 seconds left, leaving many to blame his frequent flyer miles as the reason for his poor performance.

For doing something that most athletes are condemned for not doing, Carter was punished in the public sphere.  His desire was questioned, his motives and "heart" as well. 

And so, since that point, the Carter we see now is a shell of himself.  He sleep walks through games, rehabs, and even seasons.  However, his greatness is proven in that he only once has averaged under 20 points per game, and has a career average of nearly 24 a game.  

So you may be wondering, who cares?  And if not that, why are you telling me this now?  Well, kind readers, I bring this to your attention because last night I watched VC play against the Spurs and he continued to remind me how great of a player he is when he wants to be.  Jordan railed against that cliche in a previous post, and I can't argue with him.  I hate when people say that, but it rarely is more true than with Vince Carter. 

He's one of the only players I've seen that can so effortlessly float through a game, barely making an impact, and then coming away with 25 points and 7 boards.  Then another night, drop near 40, and hit game tying and game winning shots.  

All this says about him is that he's maddeningly uninterested.  His numbers and effort this year remind us of how great he is, but yet he seems content to stay on a team building for god knows when.  

Great when he wants to be...Cliche, certainly.  But, in this situation, frustratingly true.