“We said, ‘Let’s finish the game with some pride for not only what’s on the front of the jersey but definitely on the back of the jersey,’ “ Carter said. “You don’t want to go out and lay down.”

Damn straight, Vince. Pride doesn’t really kick in until the team is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and you have to defend your name as a player who no longer gets significant minutes in the fourth quarter.

I guess I need to amend the “Vince Carter flowchart” to include a “Go into Hyper-Vince mode when down 30 points.” Somehow, I’m not surprised. If someone had shown me that quote and told me it was anyone on the Suns but Vince Carter, I’d have gone straight Vizzini on them.

*I may be the person starting this rumor. If so, I’m fine with that.