Where Now for Vince Carter?

Vince Carter has always been a wanted man. Though selected by the Golden State Warriors with the fifth pick in the 1998 Draft, the Toronto Raptors had already organized a pre-draft deal to bring him to Canada, making it clear to him that he was the guy they wanted. Still, a new team on the NBA horizon, the Raptors were struggling. Few kids ever grew up with hopes of playing in the NBA for a Canadian team. Only one of the more glamorous basketball cities such as LA, New York, Boston, or Chicago is where most budding stars imagine their dreams will be realized. Though the Raptors did sign some talented players in their short existence, most had bolted back to a US-based team at their earliest opportunity. Toronto then turned to Vince Carter, ever hopeful he would be the guy who could help the team shed its uncool image. When Carter arrived in Toronto, the perceptions about Canada and the Raptors started to change. He said all the right things and didn’t appear to be in a rush to get back to ... (link)