Raptorland

Since my beloved Leafs are locked out, I have, like many others, turned my attention to basketball and the Raptors. Of the big 4 sports, basketall is the one sport that I least understand and appreciate. This year I have made a real effort in understanding the subtleties of the game and trying to cheer for the local team. What I find hilarious is the level of goofiness that's going on with the Toronto Raptors this year. It reminds me a little of the Harold Ballard follies aka Toronto Maple Leafs of the 70s and 8os. While the Raptor's are not that bad (good?) - they certainly don't need a laugh track.

There are two players, in particular, that deserve mention.

Vince Carter, a very gifted player whose picture can be seen in the dictionary under 'prima donna'. Carter, who disappears when the going get's tough, can be best categorized as "all icing, three crumbs of cake". Earlier this year, he had the audacity to demand a trade AND named the specific team that he wanted to be traded to - the New York Knicks. Huh? Come again? It's hard enough to trade a player when he demands it (i.e. all the other GMs in the league know the bind that Toronto GM Babcock is in, offering crap for Vince), but it's another when he actually names a team. It just boggles the mind. Another incident occured in one of his last games as a Raptor, when, after a timeout, Mr Carter promtly went by the opposition bench and told them the play that was just called!?!? There are not enough words in the English language to describe what an insult that was to, the Toronto fans, his Toronto Raptors teammates and to the sport of basketball. It's just unbelievable. The opposing coach later told his team, if any of you ever do that - you're gone. And, just when you think it can't get worse, Vince actually told local reporters that "I don't always give my 100% every game because I am so talented. I can coast and still play well" Think about that, the next time your attending a game with your family at $80 a pop. Vince is a product of himself. Selfish, elite-minded and couldn't spell 'team' if his life depended on it. It's a shame he didn't take up an individual sport like tennis or golf as a kid. Good riddance Vince Carter.

Now the latest chapter in Disneyland - err, Raptorland, involves another talented headcase - guard Rafer Alston. He doesn't get along with his coach, Sam Mitchell. Now Mitchell is one tough coach who doesn't back down from anyone (I really like him!!). There was an incident the other night in Cleveland, in the locker room between the two men. It ended up that Alston was escorted out of the arena, missing the second half. This morning, all the local media are a buzz with Alston demanding an apology from his coach in public, the quote- "....somebody has to be man enough to say they made a mistake." Yep - another talented player who feels he's more precious than the team. And he uses the media to communicate with his coach. Nice.

So what is it, in college baseketball perhaps, that produces players like Carter and Alston, who come to the NBA with egos are the size of Utah? The me-first attitude. When the hell did the NBA player become bigger than the team? Bigger than the sport? It's because of players like these, that the fan has completely lost touch with their sports heros. Do you want your son to idolize Vince Carter? To have his attitude? His 'me-first' attitude?

Man, I miss my Leafs....