DALLAS -- Vince Carter hasn’t exactly endured himself to the Dallas Mavericks fans just yet.
Acquired right when training camp started, Carter air-balled his first shot of the year, blew a layup on his second shot, and finished the season opener against the Miami Heat with just five points on 2-of-6 shooting. In the second game against Denver, Carter fared a bit better with 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting.
However, instead of starting Carter at shooting guard against the Nuggets the way he did against the Heat, coach Rick Carlisle started Delonte West and had Carter coming the bench.
Carlisle, however, said not to read too much into that change.
“Vince is still a terrific athlete and off of two-and-half weeks with him, he is one of the most knowledgeable players that I’ve ever been around,’’ Carlisle said. “He totally understands the game.
“Look, he’s an eight-time All-Star, and he’s a Hall-of-Famer. You look at Hall of Fame guys -- guys that are eight-time All-Stars are Hall of Famers -- and so there’s a reason, because he’s been a great player and he knows how to play.’’
Carlisle believes it’s just going to take some time before Carter gets indoctrinated to the Mavs’ system. Carlisle said: He’s going to fit in great with what we’re doing just because he’s a helluva basketball player.’’
-- Dwain Price
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