From rock star to rock-solid: thanks to injuries and unmet expectations, Vince Carter no longer creates a stir at every stop. But he's healthier, wiser and determined to return the Raptors to the playoffs

Sporting News, The, Jan 19, 2004 by Sean Deveney

Going for a drive

Vince Carter is being asked by new Raptors coach Kevin O'Neill to take the ball to the basket instead of settling for jumpers. In a 75-79 victory over the Cavaliers last week, only five of Carter's 19 shots were taken inside the lane. But a closer look shows that he was driving--with mixed results. Four of his five assists came after he had penetrated into the lane, but so did all four of his turnovers. He made only one shot from inside the key--a wide-open, highlight-reel dunk in the closing seconds--and was fouled just once.

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A roller-coaster career

1998

Carter is drafted fifth by the Warriors and traded to Toronto for fourth pick Antawn Jamison. At his opening press conference, Carter already is fielding questions about being the next Michael Jordan.

1999

Carter wins the league's Rookie of the Year award 113 of 118 votes.

Carter's breakout comes in March and April of his rookie season. He averages 18.4 points in March and 20.6 in April. In March, he leads the Raptors to the franchise's first winning month, at 11-6.

Carter averages 27.4 points in December. He will go on to rank fourth in the league in scoring with a 25.7 average, establishing himself as one of the game's best players.

2000

When the All-Star voting closes, Carter's 1,911,973 votes make him the leading vote-getter and are the second-highest total in league history. He doesn't disappoint, dazzling everyone at the slam-dunk contest.

Carter's first playoff appearance goes miserably as he shoots 15-for-50 from the field. The Raptors are swept by the Knicks.

Toronto fires coach Butch Carter, who had a tendency to push his star player. The team hires the more laidback Lenny Wilkens.

Carter's teammate and cousin, Tracy McGrady, forces a trade to Orlando in August, breaking up the pairing of two of the most talented young players in the game.

Carter wins a gold medal as part of Team USA's delegation to the Summer Olympics. His dunking is astounding, particularly on one occasion in which he leaps over the head of 7-2 Frenchman Frederic Weis--but Carter and Team USA also draw criticism for showboating.

The first sign of trouble with Carter's left knee pops up in the first month of the season, when an injured tendon forces him to sit out. He will miss seven games over the course of the season.

2001

For the second straight year, Carter is the All-Star Game's leading vote-getter with 1,717,687.

At 18-18 on January 9, the Raptors begin a makeover of the roster by acquiring Keon Clark. The team completes the overhaul at the trading deadline, bringing in, among others, Jerome Williams and Chris Childs. The Raptors finish the season with a 29-17 run.

After beating the Knicks for the team's first playoff series win, the Raptors force a seven-game battle with the 76ers, in which Carter and Allen Iverson conduct a breathtaking duel. Carter averages 30.4 points, including a 50-point performance in Game 3.

Carter graduates from the University of North Carolina. Only problem is, his graduation is on the morning of Game 7 against Philadelphia. Carter flies to Chapel Hill in the morning and returns in time for the pregame meal and walkthrough. He scores 20 points, with nine assists and seven rebounds, but the Raptors lose, 88-87, as Carter misses with 2.2 seconds left.