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Suns too hot for Raptors
Source: Agencies |
February 27, 2011, Sunday
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STEVE Nash and Vince Carter, a Canadian hero and public enemy respectively, joined forces on Friday to lead the Phoenix Suns to a crushing 110-92 over the Toronto Raptors.
Nash, the greatest player Canada has ever produced, returned home to wild cheers while Carter, once the toast of Toronto, was mercilessly showered with boos by the fans he deserted almost six years ago.
When Carter, who had 17 points in the win, was introduced, the ACC rafters rattled with boos, then when Nash followed him into the spotlight and the building rang with cheers.
The comparison between Nash and Carter is stark. Carter, a player who never quite lived up to his immense potential and Nash, a player who exceeded everyone's expectations but his own.
An unknown soccer-loving kid from a country that produces hockey players, Nash defied all odds, constructing what is almost certain to be a Hall of Fame career, highlighted by back-to-back most valuable player awards in 2005 and 2006.
For all the love lavished on Nash, there was equal disdain for Carter, who left Toronto in 2005 yet remains the player fans love to hate. It was not always so. At one time early in Carter's career 'Vinsanity' ruled in Toronto, his dunking prowess remains the stuff of highlight reel fascination. But Carter always seemed to lack the grit and determination that might have made him one of the NBA's all-time greats and finally sulked his way out of Toronto and fans' hearts.
Elsewhere in NBA, it was: Magic 111, Thunder 88; Knicks 115, Cavaliers 109; Trail Blazers 107, Nuggets 106; Lakers 108, Clippers 95; Heat 121, Wizards 113; Spurs 106, Nets 96; 76ers 110, Pistons 94; Bobcats 110, Kings 98; Hornets 95, Timberwolves 81; Jazz 95, Pacers 84; and Hawks 95, Warriors 79.
Nash, the greatest player Canada has ever produced, returned home to wild cheers while Carter, once the toast of Toronto, was mercilessly showered with boos by the fans he deserted almost six years ago.
When Carter, who had 17 points in the win, was introduced, the ACC rafters rattled with boos, then when Nash followed him into the spotlight and the building rang with cheers.
The comparison between Nash and Carter is stark. Carter, a player who never quite lived up to his immense potential and Nash, a player who exceeded everyone's expectations but his own.
An unknown soccer-loving kid from a country that produces hockey players, Nash defied all odds, constructing what is almost certain to be a Hall of Fame career, highlighted by back-to-back most valuable player awards in 2005 and 2006.
For all the love lavished on Nash, there was equal disdain for Carter, who left Toronto in 2005 yet remains the player fans love to hate. It was not always so. At one time early in Carter's career 'Vinsanity' ruled in Toronto, his dunking prowess remains the stuff of highlight reel fascination. But Carter always seemed to lack the grit and determination that might have made him one of the NBA's all-time greats and finally sulked his way out of Toronto and fans' hearts.
Elsewhere in NBA, it was: Magic 111, Thunder 88; Knicks 115, Cavaliers 109; Trail Blazers 107, Nuggets 106; Lakers 108, Clippers 95; Heat 121, Wizards 113; Spurs 106, Nets 96; 76ers 110, Pistons 94; Bobcats 110, Kings 98; Hornets 95, Timberwolves 81; Jazz 95, Pacers 84; and Hawks 95, Warriors 79.
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