Maybe it was simple professional pride. Or maybe it was the stinging feeling of going from unquestioned hero to possible goat in the course of one game.
But Miami guard Anthony Carter refused to budge and offer praise to his Knick counterpart Charlie Ward yesterday, calling Ward’s fourth-quarter barrage a display of “garbage”-time points.
And he was given every chance after Ward banged in nine of his 20 points in the fourth quarter by hitting all four of his shots (one of them a 3-pointer) to lead the Knicks to their series-tying 91-83 Game 4 victory at the Garden.
“I don’t really think he stepped up like that,” said Carter, whose controversial end-game drive and strong all-around performance propelled the Heat in Game 3 on Friday. “Time was running down and he just made a few shots. I don’t think those were the shots that hurt us.”
Well, they certainly didn’t help. Ward, after the Heat moved to within 82-75, scored the Knicks’ final nine points with a pair of drives and two jumpers, including the drama-erasing trifecta with :36.1 left that pushed Miami into a 91-81 ditch.
“Was I surprised [at how well Ward played]? How well did he do?” Carter asked. “I thought it was garbage points down at the end. That’s what I thought. I didn’t play him different. I played him the same way.”
While Carter would not even hint at respect for Ward, his teammates took a different tack. Yeah, they acknowledged, Ward was good, real good in sending the series back to Miami at 2-all.
“Charlie was the X-factor for tonight,” assessed P.J. Brown. “He did a great job. We expect Sprewell, Houston and Ewing to take over the game like that, but it was Charlie Ward’s fourth quarter and they should be very thankful for him. He made some big time shots for them. He was their A.C. [Anthony Carter]. A.C. was the guy for us in Game 3, Charlie was the guy for them tonight.”
Carter played the final 13:32 for the ailing Tim Hardaway and finished with 23 total minutes. He had seven assists and six rebounds but shot 1-of-5 and was not nearly the same impact player as in Game 3.
“I don’t think they played me tougher. I thought they played me the same way. I was still creating shots for my teammates. That’s what I was focusing on doing when I go to the basket,” Carter said. “I tried to finish shots, get fouled and get to the free-throw line and I made the free throws (4-of-4). Basically, I thought they played me the same way.”
Maybe, but Carter didn’t play the same way – especially against Ward. Even if he won’t admit it or offer any praise. Hey, it’s a pride thing.
