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Raptorized Ira emails with one last Vince Carter-did-Toronto-wrong memo, which will be especially poignant if Vince Carter's Nets ends up facing the Raptors in the first round (New Jersey will have to squeak ahead of Washington, which could happen as New Jersey holds the tie-breaker, and is a half-game back -- Washington has two easy games, though, and New Jersey has one tough one).

And, as an aside, I think it's ridiculous when people make a big fuss about Canadians being one way or another -- it's a big country! -- but note that in the first line they talk about sports radio people with a message of "enough invective already?" You get the feeling Canada really is kinder and gentler than the United States:

This year, there has been chatter on the local sports radio that it is time to give it a rest with him, that we finally have a good team, so we should move on (as we more or less have with TMac). I think that I agree, in that I think that the best get-back that Raps fans could achieve would be to treat him like he was just another guy (even if in a past life he was an icon in Toronto). But then I got to thinking about it again.

I wonder what CB4 thinks about all of this. Only he and MoPete remain from when VC was here (Pape Sow might have been on the roster). I remember that shortly before VC was dealt, Bosh commented that people should not expect the dunking Vince anymore because he was a different player. I think that the implication was that VC couldn't do those things anymore, so he adapted his game so that his jump-shot would be his biggest (and only) weapon.

I wonder what CB4's thoughts were after seeing Vince light it up for the Nets (with many ferocious dunks) only weeks after leaving the Raps. I wonder if he feels betrayed, or disrespected by Vince for bailing on the team. As a fan, I know that is how I felt (more betrayed than disrespected for me, as I definitely do not know the man).

Not just the first 15 games or so of that season (2004/5 - 15.9 ppg, 41% shooting), but the previous two years as well when he refused to attack the basket. Here, from 82games.com are VC's inside numbers (dunk/tip-in/close shots) for the last bunch of seasons:

2002-2003 Raps - 21% inside (on 17.7 FGA)
2003-2004 Raps - 22% inside (on 19.9 FGA)
2004-2005 Raps - 23% inside (on 15.1 FGA)
2004-2005 Nets - 30% inside (on 21.7 FGA)
2005-2006 Nets - 33% inside (on 19.2 FGA)
2006-2007 Nets - 34% inside (on 19.4 FGA)

It is understandable that Vince was apprehensive about taking a pounding as he was coming off a couple of injury plagued seasons. However, the year that stands out is definitely 2004/5, when VC became pretty much 33% more aggressive (if taking closer shots indicates more aggresiveness).

As much as I love the current Raps team (in part because it is a TEAM), I can't help but think what type of damage the Raps could have made with an all-star CB4 playing alongside the NJN version of VC. I wonder if CB4 feels the same. Either way, I cannot wait for this series, and I cannot believe that the Raps playoff run starts this weekend.

Me? I hope these two teams do get to tangle in the first round, and even though I live in New Jersey, I hope the Raptors win. Then none of this matters anymore and we can get back to writing about dirty agents, the draft, and all that fun stuff.