VC Day

By Stephen Baker CPKSports Senior Writer

I have a new favorite player. Vince Carter might never win a NBA Championship, he might never win the MVP, but he never needs to prove anything to me. Carter is a man.

Vince Carter left North Carolina early for the millions in the pro game. It's a decision I think almost all of us would make, one injury playing in college could ruin any chance he had of the million-dollar payday. Why risk it? In fact, some players see the risk as so high they don't even bother with college at all, jumping straight from high school to the NBA in record numbers.

I don't blame these kids. I've made a similar decision, as I sit 12 credits short of graduation as I have for the past four years. And I didn't even do it for a million dollars. It's so hard to go back, to stay focused when there is money to be made, but Carter did it. He got his degree.

No one accomplishes anything on their own. Carter had the support of his family, and his triumph is also their triumph. Carter didn't walk across that stage on Sunday just for himself, he did it for all of the comforts his mother has sacrificed to make him the man he is today. She should be proud of her boy. For Carter not to walk at commencement would be an insult to those who supported him before he could play ball, and will continue to support him when the glow of the spotlight fades away.

How dare some lazy, middle-class hypocrites even question this decision? The same people damning Carter for "not staying focused on the game" are the same people who write columns condemning kids for not getting an education or not acting like role models. Well, here you go. Here's a man acting like a role model.

What's more important, an over-achieving Raptors team playing in a Game 7 against a heavily favored Sixers team or getting a degree? There will be other games. Heck, there will be other Game sevens, but there will never be another college degree for Vince Carter. Even the Raptors understood this, as the team even provided a private charter for Vince to fly from North Carolina back to Philly in time for the tip-off. He just made it -- five hours before tip-off.

The great thing about this is that Carter gave every armchair quarterback an excuse to rip him if he had a bad game. Carter did not shy away from the criticism, he embraced it. He should be proud, his family should be proud. Every person who has criticized this ultimate of no-brainers needs to quiet down. Because you're wrong.

Carter missed an "open look" at the buzzer. That's what we now call fall-away jumpers with a defender draped all over you. Everyone in the house knew Carter was going to get the ball. He had the courage to take that shot. Funny, it wasn't even close to the gutsiest thing he had done that day. We often say it's just a game; Carter had the guts to prove it.

Vince Carter, you are my hero.

Article courtesy of CPKSports.com