How much do you think Vince Carter's leadership has helped this team thus far? It's obvious that this team is overachieving right now which none of us can complain about but rather sit back and enjoy. Nevertheless, we heard the stories in the summer about Vince inviting all of the rookies and players over to his house during the summer league in Orlando. Then also about him going to their summer league games and providing guidence as a player coach. Devin Harris has also said Vince has told him many times that whenever he wants to shoot it, go ahead and shoot it. It also seems Vince has told Yi to shoot when he thinks he has a good shot. A big part of this team overachieving right now (other than Devin Harris and Vince Carter playing great) is because of team chemistry. How much do you think Vince's leadership has helped this team so far?
give vince his respect. He coulda complain cry about this is not what he signed for and blah blah blah but this man has given alot to Jersey. He was hurt against the Kings and while some picture VC as a player made out of Legos he played back to back games and on the first play against the Suns he drove at Shaq. Much Respect is due
I think it's been a tremendous factor on many levels. Go back and read what the rookies said about being accepted so quickly by a star vet. Read what CDR said about Vince asking HIM about his thoughts and advice on dribble drive and how Carter's and the other vets' embrace differed from what he understood was happening to other rookies in other places. Go back and read what Lopez said that first little "pep" talk Vince gave did for him in London when he came out of the gate terribly. Read what Harris said Vince told him in his first breakout game this year ("I don't care if you're O for 30, I need you to be aggressive.") He's been as encouraging as anyone for Harris to let it all hang out, take risks, do his thing, and not worry about missing shots. That's a very liberating thing for a young player who doesn't natively have off-the-charts swagger (God bless Devin for that). It conveys a feeling of confidence that can inspire self-confidence, which helps make the performance match the confidence. What other 8-time all star with Carter's talent and current ability would be as willing to move over and hand the spotlight to a 25-year old who, previous to this year, was thought of as a quick guard who might one day be a 16/8 type player? That's sublimation of ego for the good of the team. That's leadership. And that is the Vince Carter of today. And on top of all that, Carter is flat out shooting the ball -- from everywhere on the court -- as well or better than he ever has. Devin is going to help extend Carter's career by letting him focus more on finishing than shot creation than he's ever done before.
I honestly didn't think he had the qualities of a leader, but I've been way off. Vince is the best leader this team has had for a long time.
I had the hardest time reading all the national writers pound on Vince before the season started...as someone who has seen just about all the Nets games during the Carter era, it just seemed like no one had ever been around the guy, or had a complete misperception of the man. He has been a classy, good guy through and through, Granted, I've been a past critic about shot selection, but the idea that Carter would be a complainer, or demand a trade...I just never saw it. He seems genuine and the real deal. His presence and leadership and class around this group of guys is an essential ingredient in their success so far in 2009.
he's invested emotionally in this team, and is making an extra effort. including helping coach every summer league game, hosting parties at his house for the rookie, etc. i think his mindset is, this is his home, this is his team. he's gonna lead it no matter what the naysayers say.
Vince is a bitch. He sucks. He plays like a girl. Why does he shoot mostly jumpers now? Why does he only get to the line 6.4 times a game? Why does Devin get to the line 12 times? Why does Vince take off-balance terrible shots? Why does he fade unnecessarily? Why did Kidd hate on him last year? It must have been for a reason. I don't buy his leadership, he isn't telling Devin to ball out of his mind. In 3 months, he will be demanding a trade when Devin gets hurt and the Nets lose 10 games in a row. Had to get that out there. I see that the Montrosses, furnaces etc. of the world won't be participating in this thread. I can't stand the unadulterated Vince man-love.
I think what Vince Carter is doing so well this season is that he is letting his teammates know that he believes in them. Ever since Training Camp Vince said it, he believed in this team and he has done everything we could of have ever asked for on the court so far this season. He is attacking the basket when he needs to and shooting the ball at a good percentage, and most importantly playing good defense down the stretch. Vince has been a great leader ever since his days in Toronto, but people always expected more and more and more from Vince, they all wanted him to be the next Jordan or the next big thing, no one ever saw Vince Carter, they saw Jordan, Kobe, etc. This is who Vince Carter is, a true leader and a hell of a teammate!
I agree that Vince has done everything that has been asked of him since training camp and then some. If he wants to silence his critics for good he has to lead by example for the entire year, even during the rough patches we will eventually hit. Nets go deep in 2008-2009 playoffs = Bye Bye VC critics
oh my god, where the hell are those two? they only sign on when VC has a poor game. Kids with Agenda's ROFL
Vince slaps on those people who say he is not a leader, and before the season, many experts dis the Nets and Vince, and Vince was angry about this, say Let's see. Now he can say I told you so.
I remember a couple people on here last year asking for VC to be traded (I won't name them). Saying he wasn't worth the 20th highest salary in the league and how he won't be worth the money he will be making in the coming seasons. Obviously that remains to be seen, but so far VC is the man.
Many people have a poor understanding of what it is to be a "leader." It's not about yelling and screaming and showing up your teammates. It's about inspiring others to acheive greatness--not through fear, but because of confidence in themselves and the confidence others have in you. Kidd was a horrible leader for so many reasons, but let's just focus on his predisposition to dismiss blowout losses with a shrug because it "was just one of those games." Right now the team is playing better down the stretch than I've ever seen them. When is the last time we've seen a team--especially a team as talented as Phoenix--melt down the stretch to the Nets? It is usually the other way around: the Nets missing shots and making turnovers and losing their composure. That is just focus and confidence. What kind of boss would you like to have? Someone who makes you self-conscious and nervous, or someone who is willing to give you a project and trust that you will make the right decisions? This is why I want no part of that prima donna LeBron James.
Another big key to successfully leading is the right environment and a clear mandate for someone to be the leader. Hard to have a group lead by commitee, which is what the Nets have had the last few years. And when certain members of the commitee have contradictary agendas it's a recipe for the disaster we had last season.
Check this out: http://thenetsinsider.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/12/broken_eastern_promises.html This is a different Vince this year. I remember when he got shut down by the Cavs for 12 points, he said that he wasn't happy about his play and the next game he dropped 39 on the Raptors.
