Carter hopes to play against Raptors
Last Updated: Sunday, November 1, 2009 | 9:50 AM ET
By Jesse Campigotto, CBC Sports
Vince Carter, left, is off to a strong start through two games with coach Stan Van Gundy's Magic. (Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)A matchup between Toronto's old star swingman and its new one looks to be on as Vince Carter says he'll try to play against Hedo Turkoglu and the Raptors on Sunday afternoon (CBC, 1 p.m. ET).
Carter, who signed with the Orlando Magic last summer after spending the better part of four seasons with the New Jersey Nets, left halfway through Friday's win over his former team after spraining an ankle.
Carter, who's averaging an economical 15.5 points in 20.5 minutes through two games with Orlando, said Saturday that he'll attempt to play against the Raptors, the team he spent his first six-plus NBA seasons with before forcing a trade to Jersey.
"It's OK," Carter told the Orlando Sentinel about his ankle. "We'll see how it feels [Sunday] morning. I hate missing games. I hope to be back. It feels good walking on it."
Carter, of course, missed many games while with Toronto, falling out of favour with fans who dubbed him "Wince" in reference to his questionable toughness. Many insist he dogged it in his final weeks with the Raptors, hamstringing then-GM Rob Babcock's bargaining power and eventually leading to a trade with Jersey that netted a mediocre package of Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two future first-round draft picks.
A rejuvenated Carter averaged 27.5 points per game in his first 57 games with the Nets, and kept his scoring average above 20 for the remainder of his stay.
Turkoglu to confront 'friends' on court
Orlando zeroed in on the multi-talented guard-forward after its run to last June's NBA Finals ended in a five-game defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers. Fearing they'd lose Turkoglu — a key part of their Eastern Conference championship team — the Magic agreed to take Carter and the $52 million US remaining on his contract off the Nets' hands in exchange for second-string point guard Rafer Alston, veteran big man Tony Battie and promising youngster Courtney Lee.
The deal paved the way for Turkoglu's signing with the Raptors, who lavished a five-year, $53-million contract on the 30-year-old Turk.
So far, the results are mixed. Turkoglu had 12 points and seven rebounds in Toronto's season-opening home upset of Cleveland — the Magic's opponent in last year's Eastern final. He added 14 points in the Raptors' road opener, but shot just 40 per cent and turned the ball over four times in a loss to the lowly Memphis Grizzlies.
Turkoglu aims to do better against his old teammates, who are off to a 2-0 start and remain among the favourites to repeat as champion in the top-heavy East.
"It's just another game," Turkoglu said. "I'm wearing a Raptors jersey right now, and I just have to do my best for this team to get a win and to be in a better situation. I know before the game I will say 'hi' to my friends, but that will be it."
