Why Vinsanity Won't Help The Orlando Magic

This article is an answer, a rebutle to all those fans out there who claim Vince Carter will put the Orlando Magic over the top and help them win the championship. If next June they win the championship and Carter is their main catalyst I'll have to eat my words - but until then I'll be repeating this over and over and over. 

Born in 1991, I was nine years old when I saw Vince Carter jump over Frederick Weis in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Carter is a revolutionary player, one of the best players of our era and in my opinion the greatest dunker of all-time. In his 11 seasons in the NBA he's averaged 23.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.3 apg and compiled over 18,000 career points. He's a Slam Dunk Champion, Olympic Gold Medallist, former Rookie of the Year and eight-Time NBA All-Star. 

With credentials like that wouldn't you'd assume he'd instantly put the Magic over the top? Here's why that's not true..

Vince Carter does not fit the system. He is an adept scorer who has averaged 20+ per season for the last decade but he does not fit the system! Orlando run a complex but simple offense where Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson were the main facilitators. In a similar offense to Cleveland and pre-injured Tracy Mcgrady's Rockets Turkoglu would get the ball on a large portion of possessions at the top of the key and run the offense. Pick and pops, working with screens, finding Dwight on the inside with alley-oop passes and creating matchup problems.

The reason Turkoglu filled this role so perfectly for the Orlando Magic is because he is a 6'10 small forward who can handle the ball and pass it like a point guard. He created mismatches with his length, shooting ability and ability to get in the lane. When the offense crumbled he was able to find his own shot because he can shoot over the top of anyone.

Vince Carter is a better overall player than Turkoglu. But he will not be able to fill this void. While Carter can create his own shot he's only 6'6 and he isn't the playmaker that Hedo Turkoglu is. He doesn't create mismatches and has not shown the ability to be that Lebron James/Tracy Mcgrady/Hedo Turkoglu point-forward facilitating type player. 

Turkoglu was arguably the second most important player on the Orlando Magic after Dwight Howard, a team that went to the NBA Finals. His loss is brutal and while Vince Carter is one of the best in the game this is simply a matter of needs, and Carter not being able to meet them. 

In addition it has been rumoured that Brandon Bass will start at the PF spot meaning Rashard Lewis is moved down to the three. The Orlando Magic were known last season for their ability to create mismatches, dumbfounding so many great defenses in the league with Turkoglu and Lewis, two guys who are 6'10/6'11 and create huge matchup problems. 

This year those mismatches are gone. Barring a completely new offense which doesn't feature a Hedo Turkoglu type point-forward role, Orlando will need a mini-miracle to make it to the 2010 NBA Finals. Lets hope theres a bit of magic left..

Disclaimer for Vince Carter and Orlando Magic fans: Don't get me wrong I still believe the team will make a strong run deep into the playoffs, but in my mind the bolstering of the frontcourt (signing Bass, re-signing Gortat) will be make more critical contributions to the teams success than Carter replacing Hedo will.