Orlando Magic News for September 26th: Everyone Has Something to Say About Vince Carter

by Ben Q Rock on Sep 26, 2009 5:38 PM EDT in News Comment 7 comments

Magic Don't Want Vince Carter Fitting In

Tim Povtak of NBA FanHouse spoke to Magic coach Stan Van Gundy about Vince Carter, the Magic's highest-profile acquisition this summer.

[Van Gundy] doesn't want Carter fitting in. He wants him standing out.

"I don't want him stepping on the court thinking about fitting in. He can fit in, in the locker room. We didn't bring him here to be a guy who is just moving the ball," Van Gundy said. "We want him attacking. I want the guy who has been so good all these years. I want all his greatness."

Then, Povtak relayed Van Gundy's comments to Carter:

"Yes, he (Van Gundy) has told me, he wants the guy who beat him in the past, the guy who scored 42 on him," Carter said Friday. "He said he wants it each and every night. I told him I can still be that guy. But I also said I didn't care if I averaged 23-25 points a game. I want to average 55-60 wins a season."
Of Bosh and that V. Carter fellow

Doug Smith, who covered Carter as a Toronto Raptors beat reporter, thinks the man formerly known as Air Canada is in for a great season:

I have a feeling we’re going to see a monster year from ol’ No. 15. Really.

With Dwight Howard there, and Rashard Lewis, he can slide somewhat into the background and that’s where he can kill you.

There’s no denying he’s still got the skills, now he’s got some motivation and, in my opinion, the best team he’s ever been on and a coach who can be tough enough to challenge him.

I know it won’t sit well in these parts but watch out, he could be great.

Smith also likes the Magic's signing of Brandon Bass, and seriously doubts the Miami Heat will contend for a playoff spot this season.
SLAM ONLINE | Top 50: Vince Carter, no. 25

Adam Fleischer also thinks Vince will succeed this year, as he rates him the 25th-best player in the NBA "based solely on projected ‘09-10 performance."

As he prepares to suit up for the Eastern Conference Champs and an actual contender in Orlando, there’s a chance for another life. A third one, a second one, a fifth one. I don’t know. But there’s another shot for us to accept him and for him to give us the right to.

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Comments

Forgive me if the topic has been mentioned before

But what are the chances of him being re-signed after his contract is up, especially if we won a chip or two?

Is he just a two year rental, or could he possibly fit into long-term plans if he can show he still has a lot left in the tank?

by bandrewg08 on Sep 26, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably a 2-year rental

It’s hard to imagine the Magic letting the third year ($18 million) go fully guaranteed, which would mean cutting him sometime before June 30 2011. He’d get $4 million to walk away.

Tough to say for sure, though, especially if the Magic win the title in the season after next.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."

by Ben Q Rock on Sep 26, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably a rental. But it depends on whether or not Orlando wins a title in that two-year span.

If not, the Magic need that money that will come off the books to reload.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Sep 26, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is good news to read VC will not have to be limited offensively. I think SVG alrdy knows VC can facilitate and be a good team player, I just worried if VC would limit his offensive abilities and couldnt step his defense up.
There might be more iso’s and VC plays than anticipated before, I could see a 20+ PPG now individually.

by derekk on Sep 26, 2009 11:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs