Vince Carter's career had undoubtedly been brilliant and dazzling. He was one of the brightest stars of the post-Jordan era, showered with immense adoration. Four All-Star voting titles were the best proof of his incredible popularity.
But just as everyone's memories of youth inevitably bore a few cracks, Carter's career had contained plenty of disappointments. For instance, he had failed to part ways with the Raptors on good terms. And for another, he had never made the Finals...
It was as if Carter had been born with no destiny for the Finals. Every time, almost as though he had planned it, he managed to miss his chance to play in them by just the right amount.
In the 2004-05 season, Carter joined the Nets. Yet the Nets had reached the Finals in both 2002 and 2003, right before his arrival. After Carter joined, their best playoff result was merely the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He had perfectly missed the Nets' peak years and brushed past the Finals.
In the 2009-10 season, the Magic acquired Carter through a trade. Coincidentally, the Magic had reached the Finals under Howard's leadership just the season before. They had brought Carter in hoping that he could deliver in crucial Finals moments with his clutch mentality.
But unfortunately, the following season, the Magic were eliminated by the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Once again, Carter had perfectly brushed past the Finals.
In the 2010-11 season, the Magic sent Carter to the Suns. It was worth mentioning that the Suns had reached the Western Conference Finals the previous season. They seemed to have what it took to make the Finals, and Carter's dream appeared as though it might come true in Phoenix.
But in Carter's first season there, the Suns finished with just 40 wins and 42