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

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.