New Jersey Nets owner Bruce Ratner admitted earlier this week that allowing Kenyon Martin to leave was a mistake. He still doesn't know just how big. It forced his hand into rolling the dice on Vince Carter.
In gaining extraordinary success as a real estate developer, Ratner has probably won big on his share of gambles. This move won't be added to that list.
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| The Nets need Vince Carter to wear a uniform more often than a suit. (AP) |
Carter missed action over the last five seasons that will total more than a full 82-game NBA regular season once he's eligible to come off the injured list. The fragile one has a strained left Achilles' tendon that he's making sure to rest.
"Once your Achilles is done, that's pretty much a tough comeback," he has said.
What about the knees? How tough is it to come back from that? If you look at Carter's numbers over the last two seasons, it's apparently pretty difficult, too. He's shooting 41 percent from the field, is down to 32 percent on 3-pointers, and is averaging 15.9 per game -- all career lows.
Though he leads NBA forwards in All-Star voting, it's apparent those punching his chad are either unaware of his struggles or just don't care. Oblivious is a good argument, considering those who see him play -- when he plays -- on a regular basis are probably not the ones voting for him.
How do we know? The boos that ring out of the Air Canada Centre whenever he's announced might be a hint. He's alienated the fans who once idolized him with his moping and frequent injuries, drawing the scorn of most of the Canadian basketball world.
They say Canadians are, for the most part, very friendly, patient people. The fans in New Jersey and Brooklyn -- the Nets' future home -- well, let's just say they aren't. How well do you think Carter's petulance will be received there, particularly if he's always hurt?
There's no question that Carter, when he plays, will help attract fans to the seats. From that standpoint, it's a good move. He's still a marquee name, and has maintained enough of his spring to still delight occasionally. Consistently though, fans will support a winner over a sideshow. See San Antonio.
The Nets aren't going to be winning any time soon. Having Jason Collins, Brian Scalabrine and Nenad Krstic as your primary big men guarantees that. Compounding the Martin error, New Jersey has now dealt Mourning and serviceable stop gaps Eric and Aaron Williams, leaving it zero versatility up front.
Mourning is an injury risk himself, but he gave the team a decent option in the post when healthy. He knew what he was doing by accusing Ratner of not caring about winning, and may now get his wish of returning to Miami via Toronto. The man is smart and he might have been absolutely right about Ratner.
Unless Carter makes some great transformation, there are going to be problems. Richard Jefferson has finally made the adjustment of becoming a go-to player, and now they've gone and complicated the situation on the wing by adding someone who may end up forcing him right back into his shell.
