VINCE CARTER, philanthropist.

Vince Carter, point guard.

Hey, we're all familiar with the other labels that he's tried on or had thrust upon his shoulders. But this weekend there were a couple new ones. They fit pretty well, at least as well as could be expected. And how rare has that been for the underperforming Raptors this season?

First there was that $10,000 donation to The Star's Santa Claus Fund, a most welcome infusion that will help light up more than a few young faces tomorrow morning. Then, getting back to the day job, came yesterday's turn at the point, Carter filling in at the controls for a few possessions.

"I love it, that's how it all starts ? with a few minutes here, one or two of them, then five or ten minutes," he said, and across the room, Alvin Williams chuckled.