NBA playoff games are tough, but rarely fatal. Vince didn't even have to take one of the USAirways commercial flights between hubs Charlotte and Philly. Carter didn't miss a shoot-around or a useless meeting. After teams spend six games hurtling at each other at peak intensity, there are fewer surprises than in a 30-year marriage. Meetings, walk-throughs, morning shootarounds at that point are more to maintain the routine for players and mollify jittery coaches.
Players know what they're supposed to do.
As wonderful a player as Carter is, he's still an NBA cub in some ways. If Carter makes one rushed long jumper, the last shot of Sunday's 88-87 Toronto loss to Philadelphia, this discussion is seen as being as moot as it really is. Game 7 to drain the winner, being like Mike was on those nights when Jordan did the same thing. Instead, Carter's jumper was a little long. He missed a last second shot.