Savage: Vinsanity Hits New Heights
By Dan Savage
March 23, 2010
Vince Carter has accomplished a lot in his magnificent 12-year career.
He's been an eight-time All-Star, won a Slam Dunk contest, scored over 19,000 points and played in 42 playoff games.
But on Monday, he achieved something he had never done before. For the first time in his career, Carter was part of a 50-game winning squad.
"To win 50 games in the NBA is tough for anybody," said Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard after Orlando's 109-93 victory in Philadelphia. "People don't realize how hard it is to win every single night."
After going through one of the worst shooting slumps of his career during January, averaging a mere 8.7 points per game and shooting just 28.4 percent from the floor, it's redeeming for Carter to be part of this type of success.
Not only has his team been red-hot – winning 11 of their past 12 games – but Carter has reverted back to his All-Star form as well. After shooting a scorching 51.5 percent from the field and 51.1 percent from downtown in February, Vinsanity has carried his torrid trend into March, averaging a team-high 19.1 points per game this month.
"I am very happy for him," Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson said. "A guy like himself that many people criticize all the time and say a lot of negative things about has proven himself to everybody as of late. He has been playing great for us."
However, point totals and regular-season win tallies are subjects that are no longer on Carter's radar. Instead, his mind is completely focused on one goal.
"I definitely want to win a championship," he explained. "I'm happy with this win. I really want to win a ring. I've been in this league for a long time."
If Carter and the rest of the Magic continue to play at this level, it's a goal that’s well within reach.
By Dan SavageMarch 23, 2010
Vince Carter has accomplished a lot in his magnificent 12-year career.
He's been an eight-time All-Star, won a Slam Dunk contest, scored over 19,000 points and played in 42 playoff games.
But on Monday, he achieved something he had never done before. For the first time in his career, Carter was part of a 50-game winning squad.
"To win 50 games in the NBA is tough for anybody," said Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard after Orlando's 109-93 victory in Philadelphia. "People don't realize how hard it is to win every single night."
After going through one of the worst shooting slumps of his career during January, averaging a mere 8.7 points per game and shooting just 28.4 percent from the floor, it's redeeming for Carter to be part of this type of success.
Not only has his team been red-hot – winning 11 of their past 12 games – but Carter has reverted back to his All-Star form as well. After shooting a scorching 51.5 percent from the field and 51.1 percent from downtown in February, Vinsanity has carried his torrid trend into March, averaging a team-high 19.1 points per game this month.
"I am very happy for him," Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson said. "A guy like himself that many people criticize all the time and say a lot of negative things about has proven himself to everybody as of late. He has been playing great for us."
However, point totals and regular-season win tallies are subjects that are no longer on Carter's radar. Instead, his mind is completely focused on one goal.
"I definitely want to win a championship," he explained. "I'm happy with this win. I really want to win a ring. I've been in this league for a long time."
If Carter and the rest of the Magic continue to play at this level, it's a goal that’s well within reach.
