During yesterday's game, which was broadcast using the Celtic feed over League Pass (grumble), one of the Celtic announcers mentioned that earlier in the year when the Nets and Celtics faced off, he was having a conversation with Vince, and he put his arm around VC's waist. Vince was wearing a back brace. [I assume this was before the game, and Vince wasn't in his uniform yet, but that wasn't explained] Just one more unreported reason why Vince may have sucked for most of the year, couldn't elevate or drive to the hoop.
Interesting, but it may be common for players to wear back braces, and not be indicative of any problems/injury.
Yeah, I heard that. I just think that this game is incredibly hard on the body, and it's especially hard on star players that are expected to generate offense inside. Contrary to popular belief, Vince actually drives quite a lot -- more than Bryant, McGrady, and numerous other name wing players who have the reputation of driving more. (Some eye-opening stats at 82games for those that doubt this). I'm sure he, like Wade and many others, has a lot of ills to fight through during the year as the result of being banged around so much. The thing that most pleases me to see is that Vince really adjusted quite well, especially by the end of the year when he was playing his ass off, to diminished athleticism. He wasn't finishing as high as he used to, but he was using a lot of craft, spins, left hand, and other release techniques to maximize his effectiveness inside. I always recognized he had a heck of a lot of ability in those areas, although the athleticism obscured that fact to many. Anyway, I think it bodes well for his future (and for the Nets) that he was still so effective inside, since his athletic decline is sure to come, whether sooner or later.
vince has been wearing that for a long time. i've seen him wear it since the 06-07 season. when he goes back to the locker room after the game he untucks his jersey and he had it on.
And yet, he was one of three players in the league to average better than 21/6/5. The other two are known by their first names: Kobe and Lebron. What I fear is that VC will have a series of such injuries. Older players do...with extended recovery times.
I agree with all that. I strongly believe that Vince's skills aren't "eroding" or "degrading" or that he is on the "downside" of his career. However, he is likely to be injured more and more frequently, and the effects to linger for longer and longer. I guess optimally he should just play 33-34 minutes a game, but that wouldn't have prevented his ankle injury this season. For a team considered "perimeter heavy," it's pathetic that the Nets have no depth and no outside shooting. Hopefully, that will change quite quickly this offseason.
