I am typically pretty consistent with my opinions. I usually can hear something, quickly assess it and come to a firm conclusion. Very rarely does an issue come up that I seemingly will go back and forth on. Strangely though, that is exactly what has transpired with this Vince Carter graduation issue. I meant to write this earlier, but I was heavily conflicted. As a graduate of the University of Michigan, my education was extremely important to me. My diploma proudly hangs on my dining room wall so I can admire it when I first set foot into my apartment every night. I remember sitting in Michigan Stadium with my friends wearing my cap and gown. The memories of my parents, brother, aunt, first cousin, and both grandmothers will always be very vivid and wonderful. It was an experience that every college student who has put in the blood, sweat, and tears should be able to experience.

Despite all of those fond memories, Vince Carter should not have abandoned his teammates the day of the most important game in franchise history. Yes, he was there when the ball was thrown up. The problem is that he was the cause of team turmoil. Coaches, before any game and especially one of that magnitude, want there to be as few distractions as possible. That is why they tend to close practices, and don't want to fly the team in the day of the game. They want the players to be well rested and focused on the task at hand. Had this been game number thirty-two of the season, fine. Game seven of a playoff series is far more important. It was the most important game in Toronto Raptor history. It was Carter’s biggest game ever.

If this was a court case, the trial would probably end with a hung jury. Many believe that Carter was attempting to make a statement about the value of education. Some feel as if he was being selfish. It was probably a little bit of both. He probably was trying to make a statement. He also though, made comments that basically said that he did not care about what fans and teammates thought. This was for him and his family and there was nothing anyone could do to stop him. 

My biggest problem is that Carter plays a team sport. This is not tennis, boxing, or golf. Those are individual sports where a person sinks or swims on their own and it does not affect anyone else. Carter had eleven other teammates who were depending on him and he let them down. When a person signs on the dotted line to be a professional athlete and makes millions of dollars, there are certain sacrifices they have to make. A college graduation ceremony is important, but it is a "ceremony." He could have attended the ceremony in the winter with December graduates. Carter will get his diploma in the mail, just like I did.

Professional athletes, especially superstars like Carter, make millions of dollars in salary and endorsements. They make more money than they can spend in a lifetime. They make more in a game than a lot of us make in an entire year. Therefore, unfortunately they are expected to miss certain events that us regular people may not. They will miss their children’s birthday parties. They will not be able to go out to a restaurant without setting off tons of autograph seekers. In return for their sacrifices, they can set up their families for life, along with five generations after them. If they handle their money properly, do not have to worry about credit card debt and student loan payments that are spaced out over a thirty-year period. They do not have to put five dollars worth of gas in their car instead of filling the entire tank up. And I’m pretty sure that they are not panicking over the gas hike that has the rest of us trading in our SUV’s for economy cars.

The other thing that I believe is the fact that Carter is soon to be a free agent has not exactly escaped his mind. Carter knows that Toronto is going to do everything possible short of making him mayor to keep him in Toronto. Most NBA players do not want to play in Canadian cities. You can be rest assured that a marquee player such as Carter would rather be playing in a major market where he could really cash in. Every good player that a Canadian team has ever had is either gone (Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady) or wants out (Shareef Abdur-Rahim). Carter knows that Raptor management would sell their first born to keep Carter in a Raptor uniform. I’m pretty sure that another organization probably would have fined him or severely reprimanded him for his actions. My prediction is that the Raptors are screwed regardless. Alvin Williams, Antonio Davis, and Jerome Williams are already being courted by other teams and Charles Oakley already wants out. Why would Carter want to stay then?

I am not saying this to be cold or uncaring. Vince Carter is a human being and he has hopes and dreams like everyone else. However, he must understand when you assume the role which he has, he must understand that he has obligations to his teammates, the organization, and the fans. If Vince does not want to accept this, he can always go pull a Grant Hill and go play second banana to another superstar such as T-Peso in the Magic Kingdom. He can quit playing hoop and get a regular job like the rest of us. Somehow though, I doubt that he’s going to be trading in his ride for my Saturn anytime soon. 
 

[ InsideHoops Home  |  CRASH THE NBA MESSAGE BOARD ]