Fresh Fit: Grind getting to Vince Carter?
DALLAS – Much has been made about managing Jason Kidd’s minutes and the challenging impact Delonte West’s injury has on that mission.
The Mavs need to be careful with Kidd’s backcourt partner, too.
That’s not news to coach Rick Carlisle, who has mentioned that he’s confident that Vince Carter will continue to make a significant impact for the Mavs as long as they keep the 35-year-old’s minutes in the mid-20s per game. It’s probably not a coincidence that Carter’s game has been off since he played a season-high 37 minutes in Friday’s win over the 76ers.
In the two games since then, Carter has averaged 6.5 points on 31.2 percent shooting and grabbed only four rebounds in 53 minutes. The lack of life in Carter’s legs was most apparent when he tried to soar for a fast-break slam over Celtics center Jermaine O’Neal, who is nowhere near the rim protector he used to be, and got stuffed.
When Carter has fresh legs, he’s still capable of vintage Vinsanity moments. Just ask Emeka Okafor. It looks like the grind might be getting to Carter.
The eight-time All-Star should benefit from rest during this All-Star weekend, but the Mavs need to be careful with Carter while West recovers.
Tim MacMahon
ESPNDallas.com- Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
- Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
- Worked at Dallas Morning News for six years
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jeff Caplan
Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Rangers and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
Marc Stein
Marc Stein began writing for ESPN.com in 2000 and signed on full-time in 2002 as Senior NBA Writer. He also makes regular appearances on "SportsCenter," "NBA Shootaround," "NBA Fastbreak," "NBA Coast To Coast," ESPNEWS, ESPN "First Take" and ESPN Radio.
Jeff "Skin" Wade
Jeff Wade joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2009. He is one half of "The Ben & Skin Show," heard weekdays from 9a-12p on 103.3 FM ESPN, and also works as sideline analyst for the TV broadcast of all Maverick home games.
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TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dirk Nowitzki
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | S. Marion | 7.4 | ||||||||||
| Assists | J. Kidd | 5.5 | ||||||||||
| Steals | J. Kidd | 1.7 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | B. Wright | 1.3 | ||||||||||
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