Vince Carter

I originally intended to write out 5 observations from Thursday night's basketball match between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic. The above picture is the only thing I came up with. Sure, I can talk about how great it is that I traded for Rashard Lewis in my fantasy league, or how Garnett doesn't look 100%, but Vince Carter's suckitude was just too enormous.

There wasn't a single play that he looked comfortable handling the ball. His first play? Traveling. His last play? Not being able to get open 30 feet away from the basket, forcing Redick to abandon the drawn up play and pass to Lewis instead. In fact, if I was Doc Rivers I would have let Vince Carter handle the ball on the last play.

VC is so washed up now. His offensive repertoire consists of 3 things now.

1. Shooting 3 pointers 5 feet out from the line because he can't get any closer
2. Shoot a off balance shot, even when open (one of his two made shots were of this variety)
3. Drive into the lane and get smothered because defenders know that 90% of the time he's not going to pass

He is the reason why the Magic are struggling. He's been bad this season, and yet he has a usage rate of 26.9%. In yesterday's game, he decided that he should suck some more and and had a usage rate of 31.8, second only to Dwight Howard.

I don't want to seem like an overly negative person so I don't think it'd be a bad idea to list a few things that he did well in yesterday's game.

Paul Pierce tried to post him up and Carter defended Pierce very well, drawing an offensive foul. (The next time Pierce posted up, Carter fouled him)

He dived to the ground for a loose ball. (He didn't get it.)

Carter did not get open for the last shot so someone more capable, aka anyone else, was able to take the last shot. (This wasn't really done on purpose so he only gets half credit.)

I actually kind of like the Magic so I hope VC can start sucking less soon.