by Chuck Swirsky
--raptors.com
September 21, 2004

(TORONTO) -- I have always believed in taking the high road on matters that are near and dear to my personal and professional world. I am not one to rip or use bad judgement just because of a difference of opinion.

It has been a pleasure calling every one of Vince Carter's 398 games as a Raptor. He has provided a ton of thrills for his legions of fans and for yours truly. His acrobatic, high-flying slam dunks have electrified crowds throughout North America. He is an icon in the sports community here in Toronto. Whatever the future holds I wish him well and hope one day his No. 15 jersey is retired. He is not a bad guy. He is not an NBA "thug". He has done a ton of charity work in Toronto and put Canada on the basketball map.

Expect Vince to be at training camp. (NBAE/GettyImages)

Having said this though, hundreds of fans have emailed me disappointed and upset with how Vince has handled his "announcement" that he wanted out of Toronto. I may disagree with his mindset, but all players have the right to an opinion.

Turning up the heat on management through the media however, is not the correct way of handling things in my opinion.

I know Vince is frustrated with the team's lack of progress and I think you could probably add just about everyone in that vain. But my wish is for Vince to shoulder the responsibility of getting the Raptors turned around and play out his contract. A contract he signed several years ago that will pay him over $90 million.

The entire organization has busted their tails for Vince on and off the court. That is a fact. They have done everything humanly possible to accommodate him ranging from his input on players to charity games, golf tournaments and bowling events to supporting his Embassy of Hope Foundation and everything in between.

I admire how GM Rob Babcock is handling this sensitive matter. He is not getting in to a public feud with Carter. He is taking a positive approach and there is no question in my mind Babcock and Sam Mitchell just want one chance to work with Vince. Whether that happens remains to be seen.

The little I know of Babcock and Mitchell is pretty much the standard line throughout the NBA. Two good guys that love the game and want to do it the right way. I am convinced if Vince comes in to camp with the right attitude and allows himself to keep an open mind regarding the new regime he may back off from his trade demand.

I am totally turned off with his agent declaring that "Team Carter" would have a problem with the Raptors if they sent him out West. New York would be preferable according to Carter's agent.

Answer me this question. Other than Stephon Marbury who else would you want off their roster? Tim Thomas? Please. Kurt Thomas? Not for Vince even up. Jamal Crawford? I don't think so. Allan Houston has a bad knee and a bad contract. Am I missing something here?

The culture of the NBA needs to change and change now. A player signs a multi-year, max-money deal and within two or three years if the franchise hits a bump in the road, they immediately want out? The last time I checked, owners pay the bills.

Kevin Garnett's Minnesota ballclub never won a first-round playoff series until this past season. Did you ever hear KG proclaim he wants out ?

Paul Pierce's Boston ballclub has been under .500 four of his six years. Not once have I ever seen or heard Pierce bailing out of Beantown. In fact, Pierce just built his dream house in Las Vegas and personally invited his team to an offseason get-together to build team morale and harmony before the start of the upcoming campaign. Sounds good to me. That's what leadership is all about. That's what commitment is all about.

An epidemic has surfaced in pro sports particularly in the NBA culture and it must stop. The league's collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2004-05 season. I really believe it's imperative that players union boss Billy Hunter sit down with his employees and tell them that this cannot be tolerated.

The image of NBA players has taken a big hit. A handful of players have elected to do it their way. This trend must cease for the good of the game. It's a major turn off for the fans. However, keep in mind, the majority of the players have a sincere interest in a "team" concept on and off the floor.

On the other hand, Carter's old running buddy Tracy McGrady found out that the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side. T-Mac is a world-class player but when he realized that he was unable to single-handedly raise their level of play, he insisted the Magic deal him. What happened to Central Florida? What happened to the catchy 20-second sound bites when he left Toronto for "beautiful" Orlando? What happened to that "contending" team? I guess it's in Houston now! I feel bad for the fans, ownership and board of directors. A man such as Larry Tanenbaum has been extremely supportive and generous. Tanenbaum is one of the finest individuals I have ever met and I'm sure he's got to be disappointed and hurt with this latest episode. It's always difficult to swallow when your best player wants to leave but life goes on.

Mengke Bateer has signed with the Knickerbockers. (NBAE/GettyImages)

I can tell you this. Babcock is not going to give him away for the sake of moving him. Carter has a contract. He is not in a position of strength. The question surrounding Vince is his market value.

If I'm Seattle or the Clippers or New Orleans or Charlotte I'm making a call right now. Remember, Vince is still a draw and finished seventh in the league in scoring a year ago. He's only 27 and a change of scenery could motivate him. If it does so be it. The Raps can't worry about him. They need to concern themselves with what's best for the Raptors.

I am not advocating a trade, but if it improves the ballclub then one must look at it. On the other hand, in the past 72 hours both Mark Cuban of Dallas and John Weisbrod of Orlando have indicated they have no interest in acquiring Carter. If this doesn't humble Vince, I'm not sure what will. Surely this will have to light the fire in Carter's basketball soul. This is payback baby.

Solid move by the Raps signing Matt Bonner to a contract. He's got a pretty good shot at making the ballclub if he performs up to his capabilities, He's a physically strong player who can drill a mid-to-long range jumper.

At the Raptors Foundation golf tournament I ran into Rafer Alston, who is fired up about the upcoming season. One thing about "Skip to My Lou" he loves to play ball.

Remember three years ago the fans wanted the Raps to ink Keon Clark to a long-term deal matching what JYD and Alvin Williams received? Now Clark is out of a job and when he does resurface it will probably be for a one-year plus an option at little money.

I'll say this for KC. When he was motivated and played with purpose and passion he was a nasty player. His dunk on Shawn Bradley in Dallas was wicked. His slam on Felton Spencer in NY during the Raps successful playoff run of three years ago was absolutely sick.

NBA notes:
• John Stockton is a few years away from being enshrined in to the Hall of Fame, but the ownership and fans are celebrating his extraordinary career by not only retiring his jersey No. 12, but a sculpture of his likeness will stand outside of the Delta Center.
• Mengke Bateer to the Knicks for $700,000 ... Are You Kidding Me?
• Shameless plug, and NO I am NOT on their payroll, but Reebok has taken over the NBA apparel line from Nike and has some sweet gear for the upcoming season. Sometimes change is good.
• The Rockets losing Bob Sura for eight weeks with a back injury will hurt their rotation.

Training camp is just two weeks away and raptors.com will be on top of things at Brock University and back in Toronto.

E-mail me with any thoughts or questions pertaining to the Raptors or NBA at cswirsky@torontoraptors.com.

Or you can call me at 416-815-6189.

Always a pleasure!







Chuck Swirsky

You can catch the Chuck Swirsky Show weekdays from 1 until 4 p.m. on the Fan 590.