Is VINCE CARTER The Next Michael Jordan? - Toronto Raptors basketball player

Ebony, April, 2000 by Kevin Chappell

CAN a man defy gravity? If not, then how can the phenomenon known as Vince Carter be explained?

Night after night, the NBA's newest superstar seems to shatter the laws of physics with his above-the-rim acrobatics and plethora of high-flying moves. In only his second year as a pro basketball player, the Toronto Raptors forward has brought excitement back to the NBA, the likes not seen since Michael Jordan retired in 1998.

And maybe even more so.

True, Air Jordan had hops. But north of the border, Carter, who fans have dubbed "Air Canada," has now taken flight, and is piloting in a new day. With leaping and play-making ability--and an enthusiasm for basketball and genuine goodwill--the 23-year-old Daytona Beach, Fla., native seems to be in a league of his own, showing flashes of possibly being a better player than Jordan wits at the same time in his career.

He is the toast of Canada, perhaps even more popular than homegrown country music singer Shania Twain. Some Canadians are using words like "messiah" and "Moses in shorts" to describe Carter. To understand the impact he has had on Canada, look no further than the Raptors official souvenir shop in downtown Toronto. The only jersey for sale is Carter's No. 15--in about 30 varieties and colors. "That's the only one we need," says the shop manager.

But perhaps Carter's greatest asset is something that he doesn't have--a sense of how good he really is. He continues to see basketball as simply a game. He likes it, every part of it. The practices. The conditioning. The coaching. He likes the fans, even the bratty kids who call his name over and over again, hounding him for an autograph. He plays for the fans--and the fans respond--packing arenas wherever he plays, and even making him this year's top vote-getter for the NBA All-Star Game. "I want to play hard for the fans," he says. "Sometimes I think they get a little too excited, but I think that's just the way it is. It's fun. I'm just glad that they enjoy it. I'm glad I can bring some excitement to the city."

While Canada may be Carter country, last year's Bookie of the Year is still not satisfied. He, like Jordan during his early years in the NBA, wants to prove to the world that he's not just a one-dimensional player on--or off--the court.

Those who think Carter is only a "Play of the Day" on one of those late-night sports shows miss the fact that he is also a good outside shooter, a great defender and a team player. They miss the fact that even though Carter's worth millions, he wants nothing more than to get his college degree, to be known as a good guy. Those who think Carter is just a dunker miss the fact that he is a fascinating, well-rounded young man who has not let the pressures of fame and fortune and high expectations get to him.

Instead, he thrives off it and considers it good training for possibly the toughest challenge of his life--being a household name. Because whether he likes it or not, whether he wants to admit it or not, he knows that the league is counting on him to take the torch as the NBA's next ambassador. It's a job that has been vacant since Jordan's departure, and one that Magic Johnson has said is "just waiting to be grabbed."

But first things first. Before Carter becomes "the king of the basketball world," he first has to learn his way around Toronto. "I don't know my way around as much as I would like," he says with a smile. "I don't go out much. I know enough to survive. I know where the grocery store is and where the arena is. I just really stay home, listen to music, play video games and surf the Internet."

On this day, Carter spent some downtime after a two-hour practice at a local arcade. Arriving alone in his black Navigator, Carter would not confirm that there's a special lady in his life, but he wouldn't deny it either.

Home for Carter is a luxury apartment on the banks of Lake Ontario in downtown Toronto. And while the idea of living in such frigid temperatures in a city a thousand miles from home, and playing for a team that historically has been anything but competitive is not what most kids dream of, Carter says he's enjoying it. "It's cool," he says. "It's not Florida, but you learn to adjust, and the people of Canada have accepted me. It's a great opportunity for me to get better. They were looking for a guy they could teach, and a guy who could try to help the organization get better. Hopefully it will feed into other guys wanting to come play here."

With the arrival of Carter, the Raptors can no longer be taken for granted. Although still a ways away from being one of the elite teams in the league, the Raptors are making waves in the NBA, and garnering much respect from other teams.

While some are already calling Carter the best player in the NBA, and placing him on the short list of MVP candidates, he doesn't believe the hype. "I'm not the best player in the league. Not at all. Not yet," he says. "I have to just continue to get better. I figure I will be one of the best players in the league when I can help my team win consistently, night in and night out. Not sometimes. Not six in a row. But maybe 17, 18 in a row. Like Shaq is doing with the Lakers. To me, Shaq is the best player in the league, along with [Tim] Duncan and [Allen] Iverson. I'm not saying I'm far behind, but I feel I can get better, and it's going to take a while. But I'm willing to learn, and I'm willing to wait my turn ... I have to keep playing hard, keep learning, keep getting better and one day I could be the best player in the NBA."