Fuzzy Math: The Vince Carter Legacy

In the aftermath of the first two Michael Jordan retirements, the national media got caught up in a cruel game that contributed significantly to demise of NBA (with the obvious exception of his first return). The game was simple:

• First media publication to successfully anoint the next Michael Jordan correctly, wins.

There were of course, two cataclysmicly problematic elements to this ridiculous proposal. The first of course, that there will never be another Michael Jordan. His work to transcend a sport with a highly domestic, sports-appeal, into an international corporation with an entertainment appeal is quite simply un-topable. Unless we discover highly developed life forms on other planets, with organisms who have similar athletic ceilings, the proposition of "the Second Coming" is more of an impossibility than time travel.

The second highly problematic aspect of the Space Jam Eras (1993-1995 & 1998-2003) in American sports journalism is the fact that there were no repercussions for guessing incorrectly, or no limit to how many times you could guess. Subsequently, players like Harold Miner, Jerry Stackhouse or Latrell Spreewell were compared to or dubbed, "the next Mike."

This massively inflated the value of the second coming label, accomplished only disappointment-- further fostering a growing dis-interest in the NBA by the common sports fan--and irrevocably destroyed the career of a player whos fan base, and public perception has taken approval dips only George W. Bush can relate to.

Yes, Vince Carter.

There were others, notably Kobe Bryant whose Next Jordan label was taken more seriously than the others--but Vince Carter seemed to rise to the occassion the right way, at exactly the right time. His dunks were magnificent (as they still are), his scoring ability reminded so many people of his Airness--and oh yes, he was a Tarheel. But what happened? Why has a majority of Vince Carter's prime been marginalized with convictions of softness, and disappointment?

Take a look at his career numbers. Then, take a look at the remarkably similar career of Ray Allen during the same era. Allen has enjoyed relative anonymity relative to other stars in the era, but has All-Star appearances and one or two good playoff runs just like Vince Carter. Another player, with another similar career and style of play Paul Pierce.

Each of these players have had similar levels success in terms of winning, and in team support. Ray Allen had the Big 3 in Milwaukee, Paul Pierce with Antoine Walker, and Vince Carter with Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson. The difference in each of these players' respective careers has essentially been mainstream public perception. In reality, Vince Carter doesn't possess the combination of talent and mental discipline to come close to Michael Jordan in the big picture. But neither has any player (with the exception of Kobe Bryant) who has ever been compared to Michael Jordan. The difference has been the inability to release the Jordan curse from his own destiny.

I will admit, there are 2 things Vince Carter does not do well that contribute to the marginalization of his legacy: play through injury, and attack in big games and big moments. But, let's be fair. He's not the only one who has had trouble with these criteria. And that includes his aforementioned contemporaries.

The true legacy of Vince Carter? A supremely gifted offensive talent, who is as creative a scorer and finisher as there ever has been. Injury has hurt his career, but he's never had the right types of players with him to succeed at a championship level. A player many fans didn't allow themselves to enjoy. I can't say I root for Vince Carter. I did when he was in Toronto-- I guess we'll always have You Tube.