AP Photo/John Raoux

By Paul Gotham

Van Gundy criticizes Carter’s defense…or lack thereof

It sure didn’t take long, and it sure comes as no surprise that Stan Van Gundy voiced his displeasure with Vince Carter’s defensive effort in practice.  On the second day of practice, Wednesday, Carter decided to take off a play and let JJ Redick go back door for an easy deuce. Van Gundy let Carter know of his dissatisfaction and commented that an individual video session was in the eight-time all-star’s future.

The Magic’s acquisition of Carter continues to be a head-scratcher. During last year’s playoffs, Orlando thrived on perimeter ball movement. In the past, Carter has demonstrated that he is one-man flow-of-offense hindrance.  Should we guess as to the over / under on the number of times Van Gundy and Carter air their differences this season.

Knicks playing the waiting game

When the Knicks traded Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph they freed $27.3 million for their 2010-11 salary. Now Eddie Curry and his $11.3 million contract becomes the question. Will Curry show he is worth the investment and reach his potential?  Or will Curry become valuable trade bait? Or will Curry be a bust?

Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh will have to bide their time before they can take advantage of the upcoming free agent class. Whatever happens, the Knicks will look to improve on 2008-09 when they finished seven games out of the playoffs at 32-50. The Knicks haven’t qualified for the post-season since 2004.

Super subs

Peja Stojakovic and Kirk Hinrich will settle into new roles this season coming off the bench. Stojakovic enters his twelfth season of play. Last year, the native of Serbia played just 61 games because of back ailments. Stojakovic is the highest paid player on the Hornets’ roster.

After last season, Hinrich thought he would be traded. The trade did not occur. Now, with Derrick Rose and John Salmons penciled in as the Bulls’ starting back court, Hinrich will come off the bench this season – his seventh in the NBA.

Recovering from knee surgery Al Jefferson is looking to earn a spot with Timberwolves this season.  The center dropped 31 pounds this summer. Jefferson credits Subway for his leaner look.  Dining on ham and turkey footlongs have helped Jefferson get ready for the season. And, no, he doesn’t even have a deal with the sandwich maker.

Arenas injured again

Grilling outside has taken another hit. No, it’s not Gilbert Arenas’s surgically repaired knee. Arenas sat out scrimmages on consecutive days due to an injured finger. Get over it!!!!

Scab …errr replacement refs to start pre-season

The lockout between the NBA and its officials has not ended, and replacement officials will blow whistles for at least the pre-season. Here’s hoping that the background checks on these guys include any possible gambling history.

Pacers got the injury bug

Mike Dunleavy(knee), Tyler Hansbrough(shin), and Travis Diener(toe) will all watch from the sidelines when Indiana opens pre-season play versus Chicago.  Troy Murphy is questionable as he recovers from a sprained ankle.

Got any NBA splinters? Share them here.

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.