In this corner: not all of this season's battles will be waged between opponents. After an offseason of discontent, many franchises must cope with internal issues.(NBA Preview)

Vince Carter vs. the Raptors

This is more of a case of Vince Carter vs. being stuck in what he increasingly perceives as a go-nowhere situation, about to play for his third coach in as many years. The irony is that Carter was supposed to be the force leading the Raptors to better tomorrows. Instead, he has yearned to play elsewhere and experienced enough injuries to make even the mildest of cynics wonder. The Raptors' problem is they have failed to groom a possible successor as the face of the franchise. Tracy McGrady wanted the spotlight as a free agent. Antonio Davis never seemed to comprehend that Toronto wasn't in upstate New York. Jalen Rose is, well, Jalen Rose. The ultimate resolution is to trade for a charismatic, dynamic, skilled replacement. Based on Carter's current market value, the best the Raptors might be able to do is Eddie Jones.

The decision: Like it or not, the face of today's NBA is a portrait of placating those who grouse loudest. The Raptors have done nothing but try to do right by Carter, but they'll be forced to deal at something less favorable even than the Canadian exchange rate. Still, Toronto is no backwoods burg. The NBA will survive in Canada without Vince, and Toronto might even turn the corner toward an appreciation of greater team play.

Peja Stojakovic vs. Chris Webber

Had Vlade Divac remained with the Kings instead of leaving for the Lakers as a free agent, this might never have erupted as an issue. As the game's consummate passing big man, Divac was an equal-opportunity distributor in Sacramento's offense. Now Divac's touches will go elsewhere, and that rightfully is a concern for Stojakovic, who thrived for most of last season amid Webber's extended injury absence. As diverse a talent as Webber can be, he also tends to set up his game first, holding the ball longer than the split-seconds when Stojakovic shakes his defender. Before Webber's knee problems, the Kings were his team; as he rehabbed, Stojakovic emerged as an elite scorer. Then Webber seemingly called out Stojakovic in the wake of last season's playoff demise, questioning his work ethic. Based on the internal politics of the Kings' locker room, Peja now could find himself isolated. He went into camp maintaining a desire to be relocated.

The decision: The Kings' front office has proved as crafty as any management team in recent years and should do everything possible to find a taker for Webber and his creaky knees before even considering dealing the game's premier outside threat.

Hubie Brown vs. creeping selfishness