By Paul Gotham

Reckoning Season

Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady face personal crossroads this upcoming season. Both entered the league with much fanfare. Golden State chose Carter with the fifth choice of the ’98 draft. Toronto picked T-Mac ninth in the ’97 draft.

Since draft night Carter has played on teams that have won three playoff series. As of now, Carter does not know the NBA playoffs beyond the second round.

McGrady is still waiting to celebrate the winning of a playoff series.

Carter joins an Orlando Magic team that fell one game shy of the NBA title.

When Hedo Turkoglu opted for Toronto and its Turkish community, Magic GM, Otis Smith, acted quickly and acquired Carter. On the surface, Carter seems like an upgrade.  The ’99 Rookie-of-the Year is physically imposing. Orlando’s half-court set thrives on 4-Out around Dwight Howard leaving plenty of open floor. Carter should be able to capitalize and use his ability to go off the dribble.

But Carter will need to play a role supporting role with the Magic – something he has never seemed comfortable with in the past. Turkoglu’s biggest contribution to the Magic might have been his ability to let the game come to him. Rarely, did Turkoglu force a shot. Carter, on the other hand, might be responsible for single handedly exposing the limitations of the Iso set.

Making Carter’s plight more challenging is the overall improvement of the Eastern Conference. Add to that the loss of Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee (traded for Carter) and Orlando could find themselves exiting early in the 2010 playoffs.

Can Carter pick up the slack?

McGrady watched as his Houston Rockets eliminated Portland in the first round and lost in seven games to the eventual champion, Los Angeles Lakers. Many stuck a fork in the Rockets. McGrady spent most of the season sidelined with a knee injury. Then the Rockets shuffled Alston to Orlando leaving second-year man Aaron Brooks to run the point guard position. Rather than collapsing, the Rockets had a revival.

With the return of McGrady to lineup, will Houston improve? Or will the Rockets regress to a previous state of playoff incompetence?

Beasley Checks Into Re-Hab

ESPN is reporting that Miami Heat first round pick, Michael Beasley checked himself into a rehab center in Houston. Details are unclear, but it appears the rookie is suffering from chemical dependence.

This is not meant as a cut on Beasley, but how many of us saw this coming? Beasley lacked maturity at Kansas State. He argued with teammates and coaches. Sure, he is an impressive physical specimen with incredible athletic abilities. When will NBA teams figure out that it takes more than athleticism to be a professional?

Beasley was Miami’s second leading scorer. Perhaps, the best statement about Beasley might be that from Dwyane Wade. While Wade hasn’t come right out and directly criticized Beasley, the Heat’s leading scorer is making waves about his future. Wade has lobbied for the Heat to bring in more talent. Is that because Wade knows Beasley is four years away from consistently contributing?

Beasley, as many young players, needed an opportunity to grow without the pressures of playing professional. Instead he gets thrust into a spot where he lacks the coping mechanisms to succeed.

Here’s hoping Beasley gets the help needed to work through his problems. Here’s hoping NBA execs let kids make their mistakes in an environment that has the potential to nuture.

Got some Splinters to share? Post ‘em here.

1. Thanksgiving is a special day for the NFL.. Not that Sundays aren’t during the NFL season. But on Thanksgiving – you get a free pass to eat way too much food and watch – FOOTBALL. So how did the NFL schedule 3 horribly-matched games on a day it has full reign over? All 3 games were over by halftime and in 2 of the games, they were over by the end of the 1st quarter. I understand tradition, but until the Lions get their act together, their privilege to Thanksgiving football should be revoked.

2. After the listening to and reading about “Where will LeBron James go to in 2010″ babble for way too long, it was nice to hear Charles Barkley come out and call what it was : disrespectful to the Cleveland Cavaliers and a distraction. I agree with Charles – no matter where LeBron plays, he is going to be mega-superstar. So do the NBA a favor and stay in Cleveland. But I was disappointed to hear LeBron react to Barkley’s comments by calling Barkley – “stupid”. C’mon LeBron – listen to the old-school and respect the Cavaliers and the NBA. Let 2010 take care of 2010 – when it gets here. Tomorrow, I think I am going into work and talk about going to a competitor in 2009 – I wonder how they will take it.

3. Has there been a linebacker duo like LaMarr Woodley and James Harrision of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL? If the Steelers offense is healthy and effective, I am thinking the Steelers – not the Titans – are the team to beat in the AFC.

4. Officially add Dick Jauron to the hot seat for NFL coaches. Losing 6 of their last 8, topped by a loss at home against the San Fransisco 49ers, has people in Buffalo restless. Especially when Bill Cowher looks uncomfortable sitting next to Shannon Sharpe.

5. Is Oregon’s running game that good – or did Oregon St just throw up an air ball? But Saturday night, there were 2 games with over 100 points in each game. So much for defense in college football.

6. I think that the NCAA should fine every coach that pines for votes to get his team in the BCS – a la Bob Stoops. The BCS system needs to be on an even ground – so no campaigning from any coach. Let the records and results speak for themselves. Any fines can go towards building a scholarship fund for students who can’t afford college without any assistance. Furthermore – when a team scores with 30 seconds left in a game – when up by more then 10 points – it should count against them. What ever happened to sportsmanship and just taking a knee?

7. I like the talk on this site about a playoff system in college football. I don’t think it is fair that unless you are in the Big XII or the SEC – if you lose one game, you don’t have a chance of getting to the BCS title game. Teams in conferences such Pac-10, Big 10 or the ACC shouldn’t be penalized if teams in their respective conferences are not as strong as in other conferences. Only in the Big XII and the SEC are you guaranteed a 1 loss record and a chance to get in the title game. There is something wrong with that picture.

8. I heard an interesting question on ESPN today – of the two embattled Bill Belichek proteges – who deserves to keep his job – Charlie Weis or Romeo Crennel?  Weis has looked out-coached all year and it was never more evident than last Saturday against USC.  Crennel did a great job last year against a easier schedule for the Browns. This year – his team was exposed for the team really is – not that good and full of holes. Crennel has a GM that made a poor decision with Derek Anderson and made some questionable personnel moves. I think of the two – Crennel should get another chance.

9. This off-season was meant to be Scott Boras’ masterpiece. His ninth symphony or his Mona Lisa.  Could the economy be ruining his plans? There is talk that the Yankees and the Red Sox are starting to feel the pinch. If so – how about the rest of MLB?

10. Names I am sick of and won’t spend too much oxygen on them – Plaxico Burress and Stephen Marbury. Oh and thanks Plaxico for making Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson look like angels.. Just great.

11. Hedo Turkoglu is the most underrated NBA player.. Right Casey?? Insert Casey rolling his eyes and saying, ” I didn’t say that”. Somewhere in Alaska, Wally is chuckling. Trust me, this went on for hours over the weekend.

12. Did you know that you have to treat cats the same way as humans when it comes to a urinary tract infection? Antibiotics and then Cranberries. And that my friends, is your Animal Planet Tip of the Week.