DAMN!! The guy EXPLODED in the 2nd half of the Celtics game, and has 32 so far in the game. After Boston was up by double-digits in the first half, Carter just took over (after he twisted his ankle earlier in the game). I have NO DOUBT that Carter has been the MVP in the East this past month or so. The guy has been simply amazing, living up to what we all thought he could do when he entered the league. Kidd has been his usual brilliant self again, I think when he saw the playoffs as a possibility again, he started to care again, and finally has started to earn that contract of his. And when Kidd comes to play, he is by FAR the best PG in the game, and affects the game like few superstars can (because he controls the game for his team). I am so happy the NEts will make it instead of the Cavs, because while the Cavs would be a pushover in the playoffs, the NEts can actually compete, especially if they get RJ back (don't forget this team made the finals twice in a row). I might have spoken too soon (with a minute+ to go in the Celtics game), but I think the NJN will make it. Carter is a STUD
Well, the Nets are officially in. I think they're going to give the Heat a run for their money. Enjoy the Vince Carter show.
Yay. The Nets, who had a 43-17 advantage in free throw attempts, narrowly beat a team (and were down 19 at one point due to bad shooting nights by Vince and Kidd) that rested two of its starters and played a rotation of entirely first and second-year players down the stretch. I know I'm a Boston homer, but come on. Still, with Shaq's health in question, and the fact that the Heat are a little overrated, the Nets could pull a first-round upset.
I know this is off-topic, but, looking back, the player the Raptors should have netted in the VC trade was Nenad Krstic. If I'm Babcock, I'd much rather have him - a smart, talented rookie who'd be the perfect compliment to Bosh - instead of the two draft picks he received.
Since joining the Nets, VC has played up to his ability. I hope he continues it in the playoffs. Jason Kidd's grit and toughness is rubbing off on him. Kidd is the heart and soul of that team and he is the kind of guy VC needs to play with. I want the Nets to beat the Heat only if the Pistons also lose. I don't want the Pistons back in the Finals.
I totally agree; the cavs were boring to watch (besides lebron) and stood no chance against the heat. For the first time in a long time all the teams in the NBA playoffs are legit.
Without being homers who is better Carter or Mcgrady? I know Mcgrady has put up better stats but vince has taken his team further.
At this moment in time, T-Mac is clearly better. In the past, VC was better. VC can shoot the outside shot better but T-Mac is a great passer and makes his teammates better. I like what VC is doing but I won't believe he is for real until he does it in this year's playoffs and ALL next year.
i don't know... when they both try hard, they're about the same. right now Carter for some reason is playing his ass off, so he's a little better. but usually he doesn't care so he's a little worse. you can tell... when VC and TMac really want it they start taking the ball hard to the rack, otherwise they're launching J's from all over.
Considering the way Boston has played over the last month, complaining about freethrow shooting is the LEAST of their problems. Even with their starters playing Boston was playing like crap after the Houston game.
Definitely McGrady. McGrady not only scores, he actually passes the ball, rebounds, and plays some semblance of defense.
NJ is loaded on talent and experience. I think, as think many others do, NJ will give Miami fits. I'm pretty much willing to say they'll beat 'em. This is gonna be awesome collision of basketball talent.
Ironically, Wizards loaded with talent, but no closer, while the bulls have a closer, but less talent. I'm rooting for wizards but could really care less. Kinda on the boring side.
Well, if the game comes down to the final shot, and NJ has it, will Carter tell the Heat what play they're running? P U N K. The Heat will sweep.
If the Celtics played that game to win, rather than to avoid injury, the Nets would be out of the playoffs --- despite the refs sending Kidd to the line every time he touched the ball. That's what I was saying --- the Nets win, and especially Carter's play, didn't impress me. I think Boston was 9-17 after the Houston game, but the schedule during that stretch was much tougher than immediately after the Walker trade (though they beat tough teams during their run, including Detroit at home Phoenix and Houston on the road.) But they won six of seven after a skid before they clinched the division and mailed it in after that. I know, I'm riding the C's incessantly, but clinching homecourt in the playoffs despite being the youngest team in the league (look it up - it's true) and in a rebuilding year has me excited as a fan. I like their outlook much better than the Nets.
Apparently some of you guys are missing the point I was trying to make. I wasn't just referring to the Celtics game, I was referring to the way Carter has been willing his team back into contention the last 1 and a half months or so. He has been unbelievable! He has literally carried that team into the playoffs, leading New Jersey to almost a Denver-like resurgence. The biggest achievement of his, however, was to actually get Kidd interested in playing again, and force him to give a damn, after all the tension between Kidd and the Nets at the beginning of the season. I think Kidd was clearly not playing up to his capabilities, he was disinterested and perhaps even sabotaging the team's success trying to force a trade or something. I think when Kidd saw how Carter could help him be a winner again, he finally bought into it, and started to play all-out to help Carter in carrying the Nets to the playoffs. I think the Nets are one solid inside player away from contending for the top spot in the East. I am not talking about a Yao or a Shaq, but more of a solid interior defender like a Dampier, and may be a half-decent scorer at the 4, like a Mo Taylor type or J. Howard type, and then they would be an excellent team. Anyways, when RJ comes back (I still can't believe the Rockets lost out on this guy, and traded him for Eggie ), they will be a very solid team next season. I don't know about their cap situation, but a half-decent front-court player (a PF or a C) would make them a contender.
