What they were thinking

Nicholas Carter (right), poking the ball away from an opponent during Northeast regional tryouts for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA's Development League, at UMass-Boston, Oct. 3, 2009 --

"I'm going for the steal. I'll do anything to impress the coaches and hopefully get a job," the 23-year-old said. "I'm very desperate, because I love to play this game. I'm a gym rat. I think I could play one day in the NBA. Good defense leads to good offense. I'm not afraid of going up against bigger guys. The bigger you are, the harder you fall."
Nicholas Carter (right), poking the ball away from an opponent during Northeast regional tryouts for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA's Development League, at UMass-Boston, Oct. 3, 2009 -- 'I'm going for the steal. I'll do anything to impress the coaches and hopefully get a job,' the 23-year-old said. 'I'm very desperate, because I love to play this game. I'm a gym rat. I think I could play one day in the NBA. Good defense leads to good offense. I'm not afraid of going up against bigger guys. The bigger you are, the harder you fall.'
Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff