By Dan Savage

Forget the Magic’s roster, there are few players in the entire NBA that are more captivating than eight-time All-Star Vince Carter.

Let’s face it, you don’t get the nickname “Half Man, Half Amazing” without grabbing a few individual’s attention. And that’s perhaps what Carter has done best throughout his entire basketball career.

From winning an NBA dunk contest with sensational, never-been-seen-before slams to leaping over a 7-foot-2 center in the middle of an Olympic Game, Vinsanity has made jaws drop since his college days at the University of North Carolina.

Which makes this moment so special for him. With the first legitimate chance in his career to win an NBA championship, Carter is beginning his postseason run in the same state where his claim to fame started.

Still regarded as one of the golden children of UNC’s program, Carter remains a fan favorite among nearly all of the state’s fans.

While Duke carries weight in Durham, it’s a mere red-headed stepchild when compared to UNC throughout the rest of the state. UNC’s reach extends far beyond the walls of Chapel Hill, which is one of the reasons that Carter is still such a beloved basketball player.

“Everywhere you go there’s support,” he explained. “People just love it and it was great to be a part of.”

It’s also one of the reasons that there are Carter jerseys spread throughout Time Warner Cable Arena, while there are signs that say “Stop Crying J.J. Go Heels!”

The love for Carter is so immense in North Carolina that’s there’s very little doubt once Orlando finishes off Charlotte that Bobcat fans will turn their support to a player that helped eliminate their local franchise from playoffs.

That’s just the power of attraction Carter has around these parts.

By Josh Cohen

You know when someone is venerated when he or she receives a blend of cheers and jeers from a crowd. They are either commended or abhorred – with very little partition.

It’s the story of J.J. Redick’s life.

Unlike any other former Tar Heel or Blue Devil in the NBA, Redick may be the most captivating athlete in the Carolina region.

There was always a very curious mystique about Redick – locally and nationally. Since his freshman year at Duke University, Redick has always been spotlighted in the media. Game highlights, moreover, centered on the shooting sensation’s performances.

Redick, who is Duke’s all-time leading scorer, was seen as a super hero while playing inside Cameron Indoor Stadium and the ultimate villain when playing at opposing arenas. He especially was perceived as a scoundrel in Chapel Hill during all of those heated Duke-UNC battles.

It was a similar reaction on Saturday during Game 3 of the Orlando Magic’s First Round series against the Charlotte Bobcats. Every time Redick touched the ball inside Time Warner Cable Arena, you heard the mix of applauds and boos from the crowd.

The Charlotte area is generally known for its passion for the Tar Heels so it was no surprise to hear the crowd demonstrate their disapproval for Redick. Duke supporters, however, will always argue that the antagonists are just jealous of J.J. and that they wish he played for them instead.

It seems automatic when the Magic are playing that there will be “Marry Me J.J.” chants from girls and unquestionably an enormous flare-up when Redick buries a critical shot. There was even a “Stop Crying J.J., Go Heels” sign present on Saturday.

For the rest of his professional career, Redick will be an attraction for the dedicated hoops fans in North Carolina. Some will love him and others will not.