Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Vince Carter trade request

Grondar · 09-16-2004, 05:03 PM

I found this article/letter just now, and figured it would fit here:

Quote:

Dear Vince,

I think it’s time my beloved Raptors start looking for a player that actually has the heart of a champion. I’ve long supported you as a player and as a person, "but it's time to worry about me. I know that sounds hard but it's how I feel."

So, you think that it’s time to find someplace to “resurrect” your career. But, unless you find a team where their opposition allows uncontested drives to the basket, and the uniforms are lined with bubble wrap, I really can’t see you being very happy anywhere.

You are sick of the losing, yet you are not adamant about going to a team that will contend anytime soon? What the hell is that? You don’t care about the losing, just the accountability that comes with being a marquee player? You don’t seem to be having any problems spending the marquee money. Nice Bentley, dude. And I love the diamond-encrusted platinum jewelry. (Though ice on you looks about as fitting as Jessica Simpson on a debate team.)

You’ve said, "It's been since 2000 when we were on a certain level and it's been going down since then.” Know what else has been going down the crapper since then? Your level of play. I’ve seen you hit the ground like one of those fathers on “America’s Funniest Videos” who seems shocked that a 3 foot kid swinging a giant plastic baseball bat is likely to hit you square in the nuts. I know you get injured. And that is not entirely your fault – though, to be honest, I do have questions about your work habits in the off-season. But, even when you were healthy, you completely stopped driving to the hoop. I know I’m not the first to make this observation, but having watched every game you’ve played since you were drafted, I can see that at least one person hasn’t figured it out yet.

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention all the charity work you’ve done over the years. It certainly deserves respect. And while the cynical side of me makes me wonder if it wasn’t all about your image, I give you full marks for all the time and effort you put into it. You’ve helped a lot of people and that really should not be forgotten.

I’ve defended you in this very column space. I’ve defended you on message boards and barroom debates. "I can spend the rest of my career [as a fan] giving guys a chance. It's time to move on."

It is my sincerest hope that Rob Babcock moves you sooner rather than later. I suspect that the preferential treatment that you’ve received (and likely demanded) over the years has held this team back.

There may be no “I” in team, but there certainly is one in Vince.

I think the thing that probably pisses me off the most is that a few months ago I bought two youth Vince Carter Raptor jerseys for little family members. I knew I should have went with Chris Bosh jerseys.

Good luck Vince. I mean that sincerely. Good luck in finding a city where the press is going to give a free pass to a sulking player making 12 million per. Good luck in finding a team that will not mind spending that kind of cash on an above average jump shooter. Good luck in finding another city that will support your charity game so wholeheartedly.

We’ve had some good times. You’ve done some things on the floor that still amaze me. But, you are like that prom date that informs you at midnight that you won’t be… uhm, consummating the end of your high school career with her. You looked great on our arms. You had the style and the grace that made others jealous. We were proud to be with you. But, when it came right down to it you couldn’t, or wouldn’t, go all the way with us.

Now, Babcock has to find us someone who will go all the way. The fans of Toronto are ready to take the next step.

We want to resurrect our franchise. We know you’ll understand.

Love,
Pete

Article can be read HERE.

As for my opinion on Vince and whether I want him on my team (the Sixers), I would say no. There were trade talks of Vince coming to the Sixers, but the Sixers are starting to go with youth, and I like that. They already have AI, they don't need Vince.