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Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Sayson: ‘Air Canada’ lost in space
By Homer Sayson
Second Overtime
CHICAGO – Just like the thousands who pack NBA arenas where Air Canada occasionally descends, I, too, am a card-carrying member of the Vince Carter fan club. This Raptor is impossible not to like, what with a sweet jumpshot and an easy smile. He also has the aerodynamics of a jet, a Gulfstream IV if you may.
But after recently demanding a trade and proclaiming “it’s time to care of me,” my admiration towards Carter is beginning to crash land.
Now in his seventh NBA season, Carter is averaging a career-low 16.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, a steep fall from the 27.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per which he normed in his sophomore season in ’99-2000. Carter’s shooting clip has also plummeted from a career-best 46.5 percent to a forgettable 41.1.
Toronto lost to New Jersey yesterday, 88-86. The defeat stretched the Raptors’ losing streak to four, pulling the team record down to 7-13 after an impressive 4-1 start. Against the Nets, Carter pumped 22 points to a starving Toronto offense. Unfortunately, he also had three turnovers, a mere one assist, and zero rebounds.
One assist and zero rebounds?
I’m normally not this petty, but Vince Carter is a franchise player, for God’s sake. He earns $12.9 million this year, $13.8 million next year, $15.1 million in 2007, plus another $16.3 million in 2008.
All that cash is guaranteed and it’s only fair for both fans and management to demand more from the disgruntled star.
But you know what really disenchanted me most about Carter lately?
It’s the behavior he displayed during his team’s road trip to Miami last Nov. 30. There was a fetor in his attitude on that fateful Tuesday and it reeked with indifference, irresponsibility and utter lack of professionalism.
When the Raptors played Shaq and the Heat during that Florida visit, nasty rumors crept that the high-flying Carter was seen cruising in South Beach and hovered around until 3 a.m. on game day. I don’t want to make assumptions on what Carter did there, but South Beach isn’t the Redemptorist Church. In fact, SoBe, as P. Diddy and his rapper friends call it, is a mecca for wretched excess, a place where drugs, sex and violence are commonplace.
No thanks to his alleged romp at SoBe, Carter just had five points against the Heat. From an All-Star known for his amazing athletic grace, Carter looked like a guy who was in a drunken haze. If such party rumors are true, Air Canada acted like an Airhead.
But I still like Vince. He just needs a new home, a new beginning. And once he finds that, I have no doubt that this 6-foot-6, 220-pound marvel will once again take us all into a basketball voyage of awe and inspiration.
NEXT AIRPORT. So where will Air Canada taxi next? There are suitors galore, so writes my good friend Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune.
The Bulls are reported to be interested dangling in Tyson Chandler and/or Eddie Curry plus perhaps Ben Gordon and a draft pick. But the Bulls won’t likely pursue the trade because the Raptors insist on packaging Jalen Rose with Carter. Rose’s ill rap as being uncoachable is scary, but his salary is even scarier. Jalen has $48.2 million left in his contract.
The Knicks like Vince Carter a lot and they are more than willing to swallow Rose’s contract if it means landing Air Canada in. But the Knicks can only offer Penny Hardaway and Tim Thomas for the swap, two players who don’t fit in with Toronto’s rebuilding plans. Thomas and Hardaway both have fat contracts and they only have timid plays to show for it.
Portland is considered the favorite to win the Vince Carter sweepstakes. The Trail Blazers are offering Shareef Abdur-Rahim, one first-round draft pick, plus Nick Van Exel or Damon Stoudamire on the table. This package could entice the Raptors to set Carter’s wings free.
Stay tuned.
P.S. Nessa Rubette Orito (obie_021386@yahoo.com) sent me a thank-you note for the piece I wrote (Nov. 29 column, Sun.Star Cebu) about his grandfather, lawyer Arthur Orito, Cebu’s foremost tennis patron who recently passed away.
You’re very welcome Nessa. While I feel deeply sad for you and your family’s loss, I am comforted by the thought that your Lolo Arthur left you a legacy of love and kindness that will light the path of your life now and forever.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
(December 8, 2004 issue)
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