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The New Jersey Nets are loaded at the guard and small forward positions with Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter. On December 22, Vince Carter in his first day as a Net (but not yet in uniform) watched in New Jersey as Richard Jefferson scored 42 to beat the Cavs. It was an exciting game. Afterwards, InsideHoops.com and a local New Jersey paper's reporter interviewed Vince Carter. InsideHoops.com is the only spot with the complete interview.

Question: How'd you like the fan reaction to you on the sideline?

Vince Carter: Seeing the excitement of what can be, I'm just hoping I can go ahead and give them something they can be proud of. And hopefully we'll be selling out the arena very shortly.

Question: As you were traveling around this season as a Raptor, were you wondering which team you might get traded to?

Vince Carter: It seemed like every arena I was going in on the road, after a while, I was like, "Hmm, I wonder if they'll send me here?" It was quick and fast, and brief, but all in all, I did not imagine I'd be here. Now that I'm here, I still pinch myself. It's probably going to take me a while to really get over, this, the thing about hey, this is a reality. I'm actually on a new team, new uniform. Same number, same person, but I think that's going to take a while to... I never imagined even leaving Toronto in my early years. Now that it's happened, it's kind of... I don't know the word I'm looking for, but it's weird, and going to take a while to sink in. It's going to probably take me a good five games, especially when you see a highlight of yourself or look on tape and say, "That's me; it's not purple."

Question: Richard Jefferson tonight showed how he's raising his game.

Vince Carter: He's just comfortable now. He knows he can do it. He's definitely shooting the ball with confidence. The wonderful thing about it is you love to be in a game where you're playing that well and guys are giving you the ball and they know it. Like J-Kidd was saying they were trying to get him the ball and he said to give it to RJ. That's just how it is and he deserves it, and he's playing that well.

Question: What did you think of those last couple of minutes?

Vince Carter: Man, that's really... that's why I had to put my hands in my pockets like I'm doing now. I'm used to being in the situation, give me the ball, give me the ball; it's always tough when you're sitting on the bench and can't do it.

Question: Can we see this team by 0.500 by the end of January?

Vince Carter: By the end of January? It's definitely possible. It think we have the weapons for it.

Question: How familiar are you with the New Jersey (near New York) area?

Vince Carter: A little bit. I've been around in my younger years. I used to play with the Patterson AAU team with Tim Thomas back in high school. Kobe was on that team, I think. I used to spend time here. Long time ago. As I go around the city, doing different things, I was like, "Hey, I remember that." So I kind of have an idea, but it's a little different driving than being a passenger.

Question: You've probably been to the malls, right?

Vince Carter: No, not all of them. I've been to a couple of them.

Question: You seem giddy and really happy tonight.

Vince Carter: Yeah, I'm excited. I love to win, and because it's so close, the opportunity is close by, so I get excited just thinking about that.

Question: What went wrong in Toronto?

Vince Carter: Who knows. I'm not going to look back on it. It'll probably be a question people ask me for a long time. I have no hatred, I have nothing bad to say about the organization. They took the chance on drafting me, and trading to get me there put me where I am today, and I'm thankful for it. I never shy away from saying that, because in all actuality, that's where it started. When you grow up sometimes, it's time to move on.

Question: You guys are loaded at the one, two and three now.

Vince Carter: It's great now to see that we have so many weapons. J-Kidd is definitely a finisher. I've had a few great finishes in my career so far, so, now what are you going to do? Who do you worry about? You see one of us going to the basket, how many guys are going to go now if he goes. And if J-Kidd pops back and if I pop back or vice versa. Coach has a lot of options now.