I'm convinced that Vince Carter is the man to take the game to the next level. When Jordan was in the league, and he was the media darling, no one complained because he DESERVED it. Over the years, the league has been looking for its next media boy, trying to shove Shaq, Kobe, Garnett, and a host of others down our throats. The fact that the league was trying to put these guys on pedestals was annoying to me, and probably to most other people, because they were great players, but not THAT great. But, with Vince Carter, I have no complaints. The NBA can't "make" this kid the next Jordan. Because he already IS. He's totally screwing up their plans to make Kobe Bryant the heir apparent. I LOVE IT! In fact, this kid is going to do things Jordan can only dream about. He's in his early twenties, and he's already: 1. More athletic than Jordan was. 2. A better shooter than Jordan was. 3. More explosive than Jordan was. It's unreal. I rarely get this excited about a player from another team. But, this kid is the REAL DEAL. I'm just glad there's finally a guy who DESERVES to be called the next torch-bearer for the league, rather than all these wannabes that the NBA tries to shove down our throats. ------------------
The guy is good, no question, but keep in mind Jordan averaged over 28 a game as a rookie, a ton of rebounds and assists, and an excellent field goal percentage, all without the benefit of these new rule changes. This was also before the advent of the 'flagrant foul'. You could tackle a guy to prevent a layup back then with no repercussions. ------------------
TheFreak, I don't remember Jordan being able to step outside and shoot the long ball so early in his career like Vince is able to. Mango ------------------ It could be worse ....... you could have been born a Jazz fan!!!!
Jordan didn't have to step out and hit jumpers early in his career. He just went around them and dunked. I'm not the biggest Jordan fan around, and I'll always say that Hakeem was a better baskeball player, but Vince has some serious work to do if he wants to be the next Jordan. The only stat Carter is better in than Jordan is 3-pt shooting. Jordan (at the same point in their careers) had a better FG%, was a better rebounder, passer, defensive player, and FT shooter. It should be exciting to watch Carter's career, but Jordan was not something that comes along all the time. He had the rare combination of: talent, athleticism, desire, offense, defense, clutch play, and determination. I have to stop now. I'm gonna puke up my lunch.... ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
If Vince Carter is gonna be better than Jordan, Then Shaq will be better than Wilt Chamberlain. nah, aint gonna happen.
ahhhh, haven't posted in a while. damn classes. you guys are forgetting one key thing jordan had and carter doesn't (currently) DEFENSE. jordan dominated on BOTH ends of the floor, whereas carter sometimes looks like a turnstile on d. maybe he'll learn, but right now he looks just plain lazy on d, like he doesn't care. ------------------
I am going to take a page out of ma boys Mantronix's book. You guys are totally disrespecting the fact that Grant Hill is having the best season a player has had in a long time. Why nobody talks about him? And hes been doing it longer and has led his team to the playoffs. Look at these stats: HILL: Carter: Points: 26.6 Points: 25.6 Rebounds:6.5 Rebounds:6.0 Assists:5.4 Assists:3.90 Steals: 1.38 Steals: 1.46 FT%: 80.5 FT%:79.5 FG%: 46.5 FG% 46.7 3pt%:36.5 3pt%:41.5 Minutes per:38.7 Minutes per: 38.1 Vince being better than Mike is like saying Alonzo will be better than Dream. ------------------ Live Rocketball. Breathe Rocketball. Die with Rocketball. [This message has been edited by Almu (edited March 19, 2000).]
I cant stand to see people get carried by refs and this is what is happening with the Raptors and Carter. The other night in the Raptors and Magic game the Magic were robbed and then today Vince"get all the calls now" Carter fouls Mobley with the score tied and no foul! It was such an obvious foul that it makes me sick. If the Refs make that call the game changes because then the Rockets are up by 1 and Carter cant stand there and do whatever he wants. The Rockets were robbed tonight Carter fans and you know what I am already sick of Carter. Let him earn it not give it to him on a silver platter like they did for a#@hole Jordan. ------------------
Yea Manny! You tell them! ------------------ Live Rocketball. Breathe Rocketball. Die with Rocketball.
Whats with this "next Jordan" crap? If Carter is better than him, I'd think he would want to be know as 'The Carter', not living in the shadows as "the next jordon" ------------------
Why is this in the Rockets forum? Sombody tell me please. OH! And until Carter wins a fistful of rings, he wont be as good as jordon. Or better. Just different. ------------------ Not only am I president of the WaltWizFanClub, I'm also the member.
Carter is a great, great player. And he will only get better as the years go on, but right now his defense is not that good, Jordans was far more superior, and he played terrific defense all while scoring 28 pts lik 6 rebs 6assts. This is carters second year in Jordans Second year he averaged 37.1 points per game. Another thing Dream was not better then Jordan, not saying Hakeem isnt one of the great ones, but he cant be compared to MJ. ------------------ "Lamar Odom, Elton Brand, Wally Szczerbiak and Shawn Marion are guys who are going out to score. That's not my job on this team right now. But if I needed to, if my coach asked me to go out and score 30, I can get it in one quarter" -- Steve Francis.
Up until about a month ago (TrailBlazers game), I just thought Carter was a dunking machine... but damn he can shoot. He has a sweet jump shot and has range as well. ohhh... and Power: He avoided Dream's block today by jumping 4.5' out of the LLB/doohickey line to dunk today. Comparisons to Jordan? I think they're fair. I actually think that Vince Carter has the opportunity to be more successful than Michael Jordan (he also has the advantage of having had Jordan pave the way). Jordan's career is a lesson plan. All Butch Carter has to do is to point to the first 8 years of Jordan's career to convince Carter to be a team player that much earlier in his career. Man... if that team had Dream, imagine the powerhouse they'd be in the East ps. space ghost... I used to live in 'The Carter' in Charleston, SC. Unfortunately gentrification is taking over my beloved city. Just cake/frat boys live in that area now. *sniff sniff* ------------------ ------------------------------------- it's the snow, i'm not a mo...
As far as an athlete yeah they may be comparable. However Jordan was great because he played great in Big games. His game was heart & desire. Carter may have these same attributes but we can't tell yet until the Raptors make a run through the playoffs. Until then, Carter maybe Jordan-like but I don't consider him to be Jordan. ------------------
In terms of physical attributes, Vince Carter most definately has the potential of a Jordan. He is regarded as a better leaper, he's physically bigger (10-12lbs more), and he can defy gravity every bit as much as his Airness. However, MJ was probably a little faster, he had more agility, and was arguably a better "athlete" than Carter is right now. Not to mention, VC is beginning to display that level of "clutchness" that the greats have made their name through. But at this point in Carter's career, like the others mentioned, he has a ways to go. Carter's defense is very ordinary, as it sometimes seems he puts too much effort on the offensive end. Jordan, even in just his second year, was a defensive stalwart and later in his career his D was every bit as good as his offensive game - as hard as that may seem. But most of all, what seperated Jordan from the rest was how tough he was mentally. He could literally destroy you through his competitive demeanor and unparalleled hunger for winning. Carter may have his cocky swagger and flair, but he has a long way to go before matching to MJ mentally. Man, I never thought I would praise his Airness this much, I guess I'm starting to miss the guy play Azim da Dream ------------------ No guts, no glory, no brain, same story.
As much as I dislike Jordan, Vince isn't as explosive as he was. Damn that MJ guy had some hops. No doubt Carter is going to be a great player, but I think that the NBA's major push of him is over-hyping him just a bit. If you really wanna see some highlights, look at clips of MJ, Dominique Wilkins, and Clyde in their primes. Now those are some dunks. ...Still, Carter sure as Hell ain't doing bad for a sophomore! ------------------ WE WILL WATCH THEM FALL... next year, at least.
I have to side with Jordan on this one, too. Yes, Carter's a better outside shooter than MJ at this point in their careers. But DESPITE his relatively poor outside shooting, in the early to mid-1980s, Jordan *consistently* scored 30-35 ppg on approximately 53%, with roughly 6 rebounds and 6 assists (and shutting his man down on the other end). The offensive numbers mean that even though he was just about the only scoring threat on his team, AND despite opponents playing for the drive and conceding the outside shot, Jordan could *still* get to the rim just about any time he wanted. Carter can't say that, and he can't come close to Jordan's D (or his rebounding or passing). In fact, even though Carter is more "exciting," I'd say Kobe Bryant is a better all-around player. And if you haven't noticed, the NBA (and NBC) are absolutely promoting Vince Carter over Bryant. You just happen to be buying the hype this time, Axeman. ------------------
Good point Swopa, that Seattle-Toronto game NBC showed a couple weeks ago was a display of NBC at their butt-kissing best. Gary Payton was everywhere, playing like only the Glove can, yet all Costas and Collins were talking about was their new man Vince! (I bet Kobe feels cheated) One thing is clear: the NBA and NBC in particular are huge on individualism. Azim da Dream ------------------ No guts, no glory, no brain, same story.
Bottom line for me has always been winning. What were the Bulls records in Jordan's first two seasons? ------------------ humble, but hungry.
