Orlando says “Welcome back Mister Car-ter!”
Feb 13th, 2010 by Aaron Hotchner
Orlando, 2/8/10 With a high-flying & age-defying performance Monday night, “Vinsanity was back. Magic fans, on lookout for Vince Carter’s wild side since his arrival in an off-season trade, finally saw the player they’d hope would replace the departed Hedo Turkoglu, & help Orlando back to Finals glory. The Hornets, who got Carter’s 48 points up their nose with a rubber hose while blowing a 17 point lead, looked more like the Bumblebees. Falling to the Magic 123-117, they lost their fourth in five games since point guard All-Star point guard Chris Paul went down with a knee injury.
Daytona Beach, Florida native Carter had been having a rough go of it since returning to the Sunshine State. Seeing his per-game scoring drop by more than four points (20.8 to 16.5) since donning a Magic uniform, many thought the 33 year old was beginning to circle the drain career-wise. January, were he managed a measly 6.8 points per game, was especially cruel. Therefore, whatever VC did (extra sleep, lucky socks, blood sacrifice maybe?) to produce this kind of outbreak, the Magic are hoping he keeps doing it.
“It was a great feeling, Carter said. “When you’re rolling like that for your team, it’s a great feeling.
So yeah, he shot 70% from the field & 60% from downtown. Even better, he scooped up seven rebounds along the way. The kicker though, is seeing that that all this was accomplished in just 38 minutes of playing time. Love him or hate him, you just gotta give the man his propers. Magic center Dwight Howard™s huge night 25 points, 12 boards, & 4 blocks would usually be the storyline, but here functions more as a pleasant side note for Orlando, who have won nine of their last eleven.
Sweet-shooting Serb Peja Stojakovic lead the Hornets with 29 points, & strong support by two other hive-members kept things interesting almost until the end. Power forward David West clocked 27 points, but only four rebounds – his usual rebounding touch (7.5 per game) seemingly absent. Rookie Darren Collison, who the Hornets rely on to provide some of what they™re missing with Chris Paul out, put in 27 points. Collison also had nine assists and four turnovers, showing that he should take every opportunity possible to learn from the hyper-efficient CP3
Even as they lost a tough one, the Hornets showed some class & gave it up for Carter.
“He was unbelievable,’ Stojakovic said. “He made some really tough shots over two guys or three guys.
“That was good defense on him for the most part, West said. “We just couldn’t keep him contained.
Considering their recent slump, such displays of sportsmanship are refreshing especially in pro sports. However, as play-off spots in the sink-or-swim West settle into place, New Orleans will be without their team leader for at least the next 4-6 weeks, as Paul recuperates from left knee surgery. Predictions? Rough seas ahead and no play-offs this season leading to an off-season of soul searching for a team that once promising endless potential.