There are many things Vince Carter doesn?t like about coming back to Toronto, like the media swarm that follows him everywhere, the booing that dogs him from the time he steps on the Air Canada Centre court.

But of all the things he does like, seeing old friends is the big one and trying to get the best of his old buddy Jalen Rose on the court is right at the top of that list.

"I?ve had many good battles with him as well as Mo (Peterson)," Carter said this morning. "I always look forward to playing against (Rose) just because I have a lot of respect for him and I respect what he brings to the table.

"For all of the negative things that have been said about Jalen in the past and to actually get the opportunity to play with him as a teammate and see the love and passion he has for the game, I laugh at some of things people say.

"All Jalen wants to do is win, he loves to play basketball and he loves life. There?s nothing wrong with those things."