"Carter Asked To Take Flight At Olympic Qualifier" "Carter Asked to Take Flight at Olympic Qualifier" Toronto Raptors star forward, Vince Carter, has been named a late addition to this years USA Olympic Qualifying team in Puerto Rico. Carter, who was just recently named to the roster last week in midst of the dark clouds overcasting Kobe Bryant, was the leading scorer for the U.S. team that took home gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Carter lead the 2000 team in scoring with a 15ppg average and was arguably considered the leader and key player to the U.S.'s quest for gold. With Carter coming off one of the worst seasons of his young career, averaging just 20.6 in only 43 games of the season, the high flying 4-time NBA all-star will be looking to silence his critics and take his game back to a competitve level at this years qualifier. Plagued with injuries this past year VC was back and forth from the injured list more times then Raptors fans would have liked to see and with the fierce competitor coming back onto the court in late of the season, he was met only with another injury that found his ankle touching the court time and time again on sports highlights around the country. With the opportunity now facing Carter straight in the face, he has the chance to come out and shine. While he knows that being the tender body he was during last years season his minutes might be short, they're there none the less. With the USA team so skilled and so full of talent, one has to wonder if the all-star players can come together and bounce back from a horrible loss at last years tourney. "We have to make sure we know what we're doing." states Sonics forward Ray Allen, "With the guys on this team, you have to have leaders. You can't have 12 individual players." While a roster spot has been given to Carter for the qualifying team in Puerto Rico, he has not been confirmed a spot on the actuall 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. Joining Carter in this scenerio are all-stars Elton Brand of the L.A. Clippers, Carter's high flying side-kick Richard Jefferson of the New Jersey Nets and Nick Collision have also not yet been guaranteed a roster spot on the 2004 team. With Carter's game only elevating itself since entering the league in '99 when he won the NBA Rookie of the Year award averaging 18ppg and 5rpg, he is definitely a force to be recond with. Sealing his name in the minds of fans all around the planet with the dunk heard round the world, Carter took off from just outside the paint posterizing France's 7-2 center Frederic Weis by jumping completely over his shoulders with a one handed slam. Say what you will about the last few years of Vince Carter's career but the bottom line is if healthy, he can produce and be a key player on the court for his team. Unfortunately he is a significant target of media scrutiny and banwagon fans in the NBA, with the classic when your on fire they love you and when your cold they hate you sticker. With all of his up's and down's over the last few years, the point is he's human, and any human that is willing to re-sign for six years in a freezing cold Canadian city and lead their team...is okay in my books. until next time kiddies, cheers, -James.
