Daytona Beach's Vince Carter practices with Mavs despite knee tendinitis

Vince Carter is gearing up for the NBA season on Christmas day with his new team, the Dallas Mavericks, who open up at home against the team they beat in the finasls last season, the Miami Heat.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Dallas Mavericks have good reason to be pleased with the addition of Vince Carter as the NBA season begins Christmas Day. Carter, the Mainland High School McDonald's All-American, known as "Vinsanity," practiced for the first time Thursday, slowed by tendinitis in his knee.

"Although coach Rick Carlisle is confident the injury is not serious, Carter has had only one full practice," the Dallas Morning News reported, adding, "Any delay is significant because the Mavericks begin defense of their NBA title against the Miami Heat on Christmas Day."

Carter, 34, was picked up by Dallas after being waived last week by the Phoenix Suns. He's expected to fill the reserve slot vacated by J.J. Barea, who signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the idea of eventually cracking the starting rotation at either shooting guard or small forward. Carter has also played for the Toronto Raptors, the New Jersey Nets and the Orlando Magic.

With Phoenix in a rebuilding mode, Carter was pleased with the opportunity offered by the Mavs, telling the Fort-Woerth Star Telegram: "You want to go to a team where everybody can jell together, particularly at the beginning. "And I feel like the way they play really fits me.''

Hrere is a link to the Dallas Mavs' website regarding Carter's signing: http://mavswiki.com/index.php?title=Mavericks_Sign_Eight-Time_All-Star_Vince_Carter.

Editor's Note: NSBNews.net will follow Carter's season with the Dallas Mavericks with a notebook on the sports page.

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