You never responded to my inquiry regarding a Cavs dead line trade for VC. I don’t like him much but could see him helping a little but not a “guarantee” that would put the Cavs over the top or make them that much better. How do you see it and why?
D
Dos Minutos Responds:
First of all, I would like to apologize profusely for not answering your question in more timely fashion - I do not remember receiving it.
I do think Vince Carter would be a tremendous fit for the Cavs. He is an excellent shooter who would be even more effective when he did not have to create his own shot. He is a veteran who is not scared in big moments, though his rate of success is not necessarily that high - but with LeBron those situations would be few and far between for VC. Also, the Cavs run a very stationary, motionless offense with LeBron doing a lot of dribbling and driving from the top while the wings space the court - this fits well with VC, who is not particularly effective at running cuts, since he jogs them at half-speed.
He is also bigger than Delonte West or Daniel Gibson, which would give them a more favorable matchup against bigger two guards defensively, though defense is not necessarily his strong suit either.
Although Carter seems happiest when expectations are low, the optimist in me wants to believe that he has an untapped reserve of competitive fire welled deep within him somewhere, and that a run with LeBron could bring that out.
I think the Nets would be happy to exchange Vince for cap space and a #1 somewhere around the trading deadline, after he has helped them to maintain some competitive standing for a good portion of this year. I give this the thumbs up. I think the Cavaliers can win the championship as presently constituted - how good was Varejo in the 4th quarter against Boston opening night? - but I do expect them to make a deal, and this one would be great, and I'd be willing to swallow the extra years of Vince's contract to make the run right now.
Thanks for your question, D., and we hope to see you at the Dos Minutos offices sometime in the near future, when you will be welcomed with a warm handshake and a mojito.
