Should Orlando have traded for Vince Carter or resigned Hedo Turkolgu?
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This is a perfect description of the Orlando Magic's off-season. After all, GM Otis Smith rolled the dice when he acquired the controversial Vince Carter and let closer Hedo Turkoglu leave as a free agent. Give the Magic credit. They aren't satisfied with the Eastern Conference banner. And they want the NBA Title ...
 In Head-to-Head, we compare players. And you tell us who is best ... The Set-up: No guts. No glory. This is a perfect description of the Orlando Magic’s off-season. After all, GM Otis Smith rolled the dice when he acquired the controversial Vince Carter and let closer Hedo Turkoglu leave as a free agent. Give the Magic credit. They aren't satisfied with the Eastern Conference banner. And they want the NBA Title. Here's the question: Is Orlando closer to a championship after trading for Carter or should they have opened the Amway vaults and resigned Turkoglu? As always, read the post, form your opinion, and get at us in the comment box below. The Case for Carter … He has always had talent. Lots of it. Years ago, Carter captured the imagination of fans with his rare combination of skill and personality. For instance, he created arguably the all-time poster job dunk when he leapfrogged a 7-2 Frenchman at the Sydney Olympics. Such aerial antics made Carter, for a time, the NBA’s biggest star. However, complacency set in. Surrounded by a posse of enablers and armed with a ‘max’ contract, Carter got lazy on Toronto and his stock plummeted. He soon requested a trade and landed in New Jersey, where he posted strong individual numbers, but never lead the Nets deep in the playoffs. Carter’s career is a tale of two players. Orlando is hoping he can find his early form and give them an edge in their quest for an NBA Title. (The leap over France's Fredric Weis symbolized the best of Carter's early career.) The Case for Turkoglu … He plays his best when everything is on the line. Each year, Turkoglu wins a few games with his trademark buzzer beaters. In fact, the Turkish swing is the rarest of NBA players in that he wants the ball come crunch time and welcomes the pressure of being the goat or hero. Unfortunately, Turkoglu often goes MIA, disappearing on his team for quarters and sometimes entire games. Perhaps, it’s the grind of an 82 game season, but many feel the forward hasn’t gotten the most out of his immense talent. Bottom Line: In a revamped Eastern Conference, Carter has to experience a Raptor renaissance and find his old Toronto form from 1998-2001. Anything less won’t get Orlando back to the NBA Finals and will have the Magic faithful wondering if they should have kept Turkoglu. Sound off on Head-to-Head in the comment box below: Is Orlando better with Carter? Or should they have stuck with Turkoglu? Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison. |
I agree with what you are saying about Hedo. However, Carter makes twice his salary, isn't strong on defense, and has often displayed questionable leadership.
He will draw double teams if he attacks the basket and doesn't settle for fade-aways. Carter must get back to his old form for this deal to work.
Thanks for commenting!
What happens in Orlando? Remember, his cousin,T-Mac, was supposed to have a happy ending with the Magic. After all, he's from Florida, too, but McGrady got run out of town!! I hope it works out, but I guess what I'm saying is that Carter needs to prove his worth before I'll buy-in!
However, as I mention, on paper, it looks good, if Carter finds his old form! Thanks for commenting.
Everything you said may be true. But Bottom line: pro players, especially those earning max contracts like Vince Carter, have an obligation to always give their best effort. They can control this. There is no excuse for him not doing so, regardless of the situation. And it is unforgivable for him to admit that he didn't give his best effort publicly. Hopefully, he doesn't make the same error in Orlando and the Magic make a competitive Eastern Conference even better.
Thanks again.