Vince Carter Loving the Game Alongside Dwight Howard

[air_jersey15]

After 10 consecutive seasons of averaging at least 20 points a game, Vince Carter is likely to see his scoring drop significantly this season. And he'll be happy about it.

It didn't take Carter long during the preseason to realize that playing with a dominant center like Dwight Howard -- a luxury he never has had before -- will change the way he plays the game.

"This is going to be great situation for me. It's one I've never been in before,'' he said before Friday night's lopsided 123-86 exhibition victory over the Atlanta Hawks. "It's a luxury that will be pretty easy to get used to.''

Carter, an eight-time All Star with a career scoring average of 23.5 points, never has been past the second round of the playoffs, either, and only reached the postseason five times in his 11 years. Although he always led his team in scoring, he never had a great big man behind him.

He said the best previous center he played with was journeyman Antonio Davis in Toronto. Carter, 33, couldn't help but wonder how his career might have unfolded differently if he had played with Tim Duncan or Shaquille O'Neal or even Alonzo Mourning.

"I probably would have had a few (championships) by now,'' he said. "It would have been awesome. But I have no regrets. You play with the hand you're dealt, and do the best you can. You always wonder would it would be like, and now I'm getting that chance. I already know I'm going to like it.''

After splitting his career between Toronto and New Jersey, Carter has approached this season with a newfound enthusiasm. He played considerably more in the exhibition games (28.4 mpg) than he has in recent years, wanting to get comfortable with his new and improved teammates, particularly Howard. He also joined a roster that includes All-Stars Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson. Lewis will miss the first 10 games serving his NBA suspension, but once he returns, Carter knows he won't be seeing the ball nearly as much as he has in the past.

Carter did his usual scoring routine Friday night, making it look so easy by scoring 26 points in 27 minutes against the hapless Hawks.

"It's not so much a different role as I won't be doing it for as long each night. I won't have the ball 32-34 minutes a game trying to create for everyone else,'' he said. "I'll be playing off other people. Dwight will have the ball. Rashard will have the ball. Our short, little point guard will have the ball.''

Carter laughed because he was talking about Nelson, who was standing nearby. Carter sees this opportunity with Howard as his first real chance at winning a championship. It's also a way to change the perception that he has been more of a showman and a scorer than a real winner in his career.

With Howard attracting so much attention around the basket, Carter will have much easier scoring chances. And if this exhibition season was any indication, he still has plenty of lift in his legs.

"With Dwight, this is kind of easy. Just throw it in there, and he's like a vacuum, sucking in the defense and leaving room for everyone else,'' he said. "I know I'm going to like this.''

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/c...wight-howard/#

[arlubas]

They should make for a great team to watch. Don't know if they will be able to get past the Celtics and Cavs (they do have what it takes but sometimes these series are getting judged on details) but they will be one of the best teams in the league for sure.

[kaiji88]

I think Carter can average close to 20 if he's aggressive. I think he's still the best perimeter player in Orlando and can get to the foul line easily.

[joris]

Originally Posted by arlubas

They should make for a great team to watch. Don't know if they will be able to get past the Celtics and Cavs (they do have what it takes but sometimes these series are getting judged on details) but they will be one of the best teams in the league for sure.

Agreed, thats the reason why boston won chip back then. The details on the defensive end. But orlando is massively stacked now. I think vince will avg above 20ppg this season. He will get so many open 3's he wouldnt know what to do with it. The ball will still be in vinces hands a lot, dwight is not a young shaquille oneal being able to score 60 points. They need to balance it out and feed of eachothers qualities.

go magic

[arlubas]

Originally Posted by kaiji88

I think Carter can average close to 20 if he's aggressive. I think he's still the best perimeter player in Orlando and can get to the foul line easily.

The question is whether he's gonna help his team more that way. It shouldn't be about individual stats in Orlando's case, they are aiming at a ring and for that to happen they have to share the ball between everyone. If Vince wants to then yeah sure he can get 20 per night but if that's gonna mess with the teams success then that shoulnd't even be an option. But I'm sure he understands that as well and will score as many he has to in order for them to win whether that is 15 or 30.

[joris]

Originally Posted by arlubas

The question is whether he's gonna help his team more that way. It shouldn't be about individual stats in Orlando's case, they are aiming at a ring and for that to happen they have to share the ball between everyone. If Vince wants to then yeah sure he can get 20 per night but if that's gonna mess with the teams success then that shoulnd't even be an option. But I'm sure he understands that as well and will score as many he has to in order for them to win whether that is 15 or 30.

I think youre right, but i think he will still avg above 20, look at their preseason games there final score was over 120 2 times. And i dont know the statistics but im sure their average was pretty high. He is also the most consistent scorer on the team. and yes there will be games where he doesnt need to score 20 cause rashard may be hitting threes all over the place or jameer or dwight (dunking) or someone else. They will have a high scoring average and there is room for vinces 20ppg i think.

[DaGettoMan]

VC will prove them all wrong baby, he'll reign once again, his game has been overlooked for years. VC baby, all day

[kaiji88]

I think VC needs to think he is the 2nd guy. He is a better then Lewis or Nelson and he should be the one making the decisions in clutch time.

[Billy32]

Well at least Carters heart is in it so he should be playing at an All-Star level once again. Not saying that he wasn't back in New Jersey but now hes got a solid team around him and he can really make a run at a championship.

[dNYCE]

Honestly I feel this team Vince Carter is on right now gives him the greatest chance he's ever had at reaching the Finals. Hopefully he realizes that and puts forth his best effort and makes sure his hearts in it. As long as he doesn't shy away from the challanges that are place before him, and doesn't get lazy out there on the court I think you'll see some special things from him this season. He's going to have alot of open jumpers being that he has Dwight Howard there in the low post getting double teamed, so I hope he doesn't get complacent with the jump shots. I've seen some nice attacking moves in the preseason by Carter, so hopefully he keeps that up.

I really want to see the Orlando Magic make it to the Finals, they have a great team and their extremely fun to watch.