There has been some recent discussion at TQC concerning Vince Carter.  Some say he is a perenial loser, a washed up highlight reel, not a take charge type, not a clutch player, gifted athlete with no killer instinct or a man with just a plain lack of desire...no fire.  Some say he has never been on a great team, never played with a legitamate big man and only needs an opportunity to show his teamwork, leadership and ability to win in the clutch.  Here is his career "in a nut shell" so to speak.  What do you think?  Winner or Loser.

8-time NBA All-Star selection
2-time All-NBA       
NBA Slam Dunk Champion: 2000
NBA All-Rookie First Team: 1999
NBA Rookie of the Year Award: 1999
The Sporting News NBA Rookie of the Year
McDonald's All-American

NBA playoff record for most three-point field goals made in one game with 9
NBA playoff record for most three-point field goals made in one half with 8
NBA playoff record for most consecutive three-point field goals made in one game with 8
NBA playoff record for most consecutive three-point field goals made in one half with 8

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July 17,2009 (aged 92)

I know it’s long but it’s a good read. (Almost all of it is copy and paste, so your not just reading the ramblings of a crazy man). Here is a great list that I dug up in the Motown Sports Revival: It has the ratings of the three guys that a few of us have been discussing concerning the determining factors for a players greatness. It also includes two players associated with the Magic. I start off with my favorite player growing up just so you know my measuring stick. I was not a Jordan fan. I’m not a Kobe fan, just so you know where I’m at. I like Wade but mostly because of Charles Barkley.  I do like Lebron a lot and I think he will be top 10 when it’s all said and done. I did, however, lose a little respect for him after we knocked his “kings crown” off of his head…he showed himself to be a poor sport. I’m sure that will change with maturity as will the sophomoric mistakes that Kobe made early in his career and Dwight has made thus far, you know what I’m talking about. Without further adieu.

3) Magic Johnson

Magic’s greatness can be quantified by citing a lot of statistics. But, I think the single most compelling evidence of his greatness is that there hasn’t been a player since who has been able to do the things he did. He was a 6’8 point guard who could run the break, drive to the hole, rebound and post-up. His excellence produced five NBA Championships and three MVPs. He accomplished all of that despite the fact that his career ended at 31 years of age. One can only imagine what he could have done with five-to-ten more years added to his career. Magic holds a slight edge over Shaq in a number of categories. He holds a 5-4 Championship advantage, a 9-8 All-NBA First Team advantage, a 9-8 advantage in top-5 MVP finishes, and a 3-1 MVP advantage (although both won three Finals MVPs). Magic is 6th on the all-time Wins Shares Above Average-list. Shaq is 7th. Plus, as a 6’8 point guard, Magic is one of the few players in NBA history who can claim a size advantage relative to his position on par with Shaq’s.

11) Kobe Bryant

Where Kobe winds up on this list remains to be seen. He could end up in the top five or stay right where he is at. It all depends on whether he can bring the Lakers back to Championship-glory without Shaq. As it stands now, Bryant’s career has been spectacular. Although, there is no question that his career was greatly enhanced by Shaq’s presence. Together they won three-straight NBA Championships. Apart, Shaq has a title and Kobe does not. Kobe’s stellar combination of offensive and defensive brilliance is rarely seen in the NBA. In fact, the only guard that I can recall that played both sides as well is Michael Jordan. Kobe finally has an MVP under his belt which will help his profile. He needs to start piling up the individual hardware if he is going to make a move into the top ten. A few Finals MVPs wouldn’t hurt. Jordan has six. Kobe has zero.

21) LeBron James

LeBron James is the closest thing to Magic Johnson that the league has seen since Magic retired. Unlike most "pie in the sky" comparisons, I actually think LeBron will end up being better than Magic. In fact, I think LeBron has the potential to end up being the best player the league has ever seen. He is physically dominant at the ripe age of 23. At 6’9, LeBron can do everything Magic could do and more. He is bigger and stronger than Magic already. Barring a career-ending injury, LeBron will dominate the NBA like few have ever seen.

49) Patrick Ewing

Ewing is one of those stars who had the misfortune of playing at the same time as Michael Jordan. I remember some of his dominating performances in the playoffs against the Pistons. He was one of the top two centers in the NBA in the late 80’s/early 90’s but he was never able to lead his team to a championship or win an MVP.

50) Dwyane Wade

Even though Wade is considered by most to be one of the best players in the NBA, I think he is vastly underrated. He gets to the rim better than any player I have ever seen and that’s saying something. Any coach who doesn’t give Wade the ball every possession over the last five minutes in a close game should be fired. When Wade takes the ball to the rim late in a game, he will either makeit or get fouled. If he can stay healthy, Wade’s individual numbers will skyrocket without Shaq. He is as physically gifted as any player in the league.

81). Vince Carter

Carter has the dubious distinction of being one of those players who never wins anything. Dominique Wilkins, Charles Barkley, and Tracy McGrady are other members of that club. To be fair, Carter has never been on a great team. If you put him on the 80s Lakers, there’s no doubt he would’ve won as many championships as James Worthy. Carter should take a hit for not being able to lead a team to serious contention but he should also be appropriately acknowledged for being a great player. Carter is 20th on the all-time list for PPG at 23.8. He takes a lot of shots but his shooting percentages aren’t that bad. He is a 45% shooter from the field and a 38% shooter from beyond the arc. Carter’s all-around game is certainly more evolved than someone like Reggie Miller. Carter has career averages of 5.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game to go along with a steal and a block. Carter’s career has been marred by injuries and untapped potential. Still, he is one of the most athletic players to ever play the game and is one of the top scorers the league has ever seen.

And that's the way it was.  In honor of Walter Cronkite, the best anchorman ever.  I you didn't have the distinct pleasure of inviting him into your home every night for the day's events.....you really missed out.

My computer died on me about a week ago.  Very, very painful with about 2 weeks before draft day.  Anyway, I'm on borrowed time right now at the library sooooo.....

I was watching the ESPN mock draft on the tube yesterday and they had both V.Davis and D.Butler off the board by 25.  So who did the Dolphin's representative pick............Hakeem Nicks.  Who is my favorite receiver in this years draft.  He is also finsxfactors favorite as well.  Now everybody who has any idea of who I am knows that I have been preaching 2 corners in the first four picks and have been a staunch Darius Butler supporter....but..........  and that's like a J-Lo butt..........

if both Davis and Butler are gone.....do we go with need or talent??  or both?  would the trifecta actually spend it's first pick on a wide receiver??  Like many folks on this blog would like him too?  My answer is yes.  I know our very own "eye the sky" would like to see Larry English (who by the way is my favoriteLB in the draft) but I dunno.....what do you guys think.  Do you think that Parcells will pull the trigger on a "fancy" pick like Hakeem Nicks??  Obviously,my feelings wouldn't be hurt if any of these or any of the other great picks that some of you guys want were actually chosen.....but a new wideout would be fun??  ESPN???  Oh....the only player I don't think has a chance to make into a Dolphins Uni is...........................Kenny Britt   :)

I've been spending some time listening to archived radio interviews over at WQAM and Andy Cohen mentioned a few things on 2/11 that I would like to get someone else's feedback on.  He believes, like I do, that we need some playmakers this year as opposed to solid position players.  In particular, wide receiver first (which he mentioned attaning through FA or trade[see below]) and linebacker second, which I also agree with.  Many of you feel that we could use a playmaker at CB which I again agree with as well.  Anyway, I was over at PhinPhanatic today and Brian mentioned a certain receiver named Anquan Boldin as rumored to be an interest of our favorite football team.  I checked back on the comment I made on GP's "Grove Puzzle" post (which no one replied to, obviously, or I wouldn't be bringing it up and oh yeah, thanks for the support by the way) about the link to FinsHeaven that allowed us to read the entire post from PhinfanBo1.  In that post he says to look for a Samson Satele trade which interested me because as soon as we signed a starting C and another inside lineman I thought about the possibility of shopping Satele (I believe he is still a starting center in another system).

So with all that being said, would any of you trade Satele (or anyone else) and picks or just picks to get Boldin?  Then go after playmaker at LB or CB after that?  Humor me, please.