Slam Dunk Central

In what has to be a major blow to the New Jersey Nets, swingman Vince Carter, according to the Associated Press, will be sidelined indefinitely with what has been described as a “Grade 1″ sprain of his right ankle.  A MRI confirmed the sprain; there’s no timetable for Carter’s return.

Nets head coach Lawrence Frank, in response to the diagnosis, told the AP, “I guess relief is a good word in that it could have been a whole lot worse.  The positive thing is that he has felt better each and every day.”  Carter was injured during the Nets’ 112-101 loss to the Boston Celtics; he landed on the foot of Celtics forward Paul Pierce after a dunk.

I guess this is a “good news, bad news” kind of scenario.  The good news being that the sprain wasn’t more severe, such as a high ankle sprain (the most severe), and the bad news being that Carter will be out for a while - which doesn’t help the Nets one bit.  While true that Richard Jefferson is scoring at an All-Pro level, Carter was just beginning to get his shooting touch back.

My best guess would be that Antoine Wright, who has been much improved than in the past, will have to pick up the slack while Carter is shelved.  And no doubt Frank will have to tweak the roster accordingly.  Those things aside, I would imagine that the Nets will need more from point guard Jason Kidd offensively and possibly F/C Nenad Krstic, as well.  But when the smoke clears, it isn’t the end of the world for the Nets - not at all.

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