The Boston Globe (Marc Spears) reports: Kevin Garnett’s résumé has a lot more than pro basketball player on it. Garnett worked at Burger King, manned a cash register at a restaurant called Cheers, worked at an Ingles Markets grocery store, and mowed lawns while growing up in South Carolina. He mopped gym floors at a Boys’ and Girls’ Club his senior year in high school in Chicago. But of all the jobs he has held – including playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves – he says his current gig with the Celtics is the least taxing. “Since I’ve been 14, I’ve probably had seven jobs, and since I’ve been working, this is the most rest I’ve ever had in my life,” said the Celtics forward yesterday. “It’s so much that I don’t know what to do with myself. It’s coming at a great time. “You put your heart and soul in this. I’m staying afloat being a vet, being a leader. It’s been good. It’s coming at the right time for this team.”
Category: Charlotte Hornets Blog
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Apr. 5: Celtics 101, Bobcats 78
The AP reports: Doc Rivers accomplished it all Saturday night: resting his stars and continuing the Boston Celtics’ record-breaking return to prominence. Leon Powe had 22 points and nine rebounds, leading a makeshift lineup of Celtics who were never threatened in a 101-78 win over the Charlotte Bobcats that not only clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, but set the NBA record for biggest single-season turnaround… Powe dominated the inside and James Posey added a season-high 19 points for the Celtics, who improved to 61-15… Emeka Okafor had 17 points and eight rebounds for the Bobcats, who had won in Boston and lost at home to the Celtics on Ray Allen’s buzzer-beater.
Apr. 4: Bobcats 105, Raptors 100
The AP reports: Jason Richardson scored 27 points and Earl Boykins converted a three-point play after stealing the ball from T.J. Ford in the final minute of the Charlotte Bobcats’ 105-100 victory over the Raptors on Friday night. Chris Bosh had 23 points for the Raptors, who clinched a playoff berth Friday night because Washington beat Miami… The Raptors (38-38) are hardly playing like a team poised to make a strong playoff run. Fans booed the home team at the final buzzer… Rasho Nesterovic added a season-high 23 points for Toronto, but All-Star Bosh didn’t get many touches in the final minutes. Raymond Felton had 21 points for Charlotte.
Apr. 2: Cavs 118, Bobcats 114
The AP reports: Entering the night, LeBron James had been disqualified twice in 417 games in his five-year career. But after scoring 29 points, James was called for his sixth foul when he reached in on Charlotte’s Jason Richardson at the top of his drive to the basket with Cleveland leading 104-101 with 3:56 left… Devin Brown finished with 20 points, Anderson Varejao made eight of nine shots and added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 16 points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland… Jason Richardson had 31 points, Emeka Okafor matched a season high with 25 and Gerald Wallace scored 21 for the Bobcats, who lost their second straight game amid questions of coach Sam Vincent’s future.
Bobcats owner says Jordan controls Sam Vincent’s fate
The AP reports: Charlotte Bobcats owner Bob Johnson believes first-year coach Sam Vincent is the right man for the job. But Johnson said Tuesday the final decision on whether Vincent will return next season rests with part-owner and basketball operations chief Michael Jordan. “The definitive answer will come from Michael, but my position is, I think Sam did a credible job,” Johnson said… Johnson said he believes Vincent has overcome early growing pains to do a “credible job.”
Mar. 31: Raptors 104, Bobcats 100
The AP reports: Chris Bosh scored 32 points and the Toronto Raptors remained alone in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a 104-100 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night. Bosh hit 13 of 16 free throws and added eight rebounds and five assists for the Raptors, who won for the third time in four games to pull a game ahead of idle Philadelphia in the playoff race… Anthony Parker added 20 points and T.J. Ford added 15, including the clinching free throw with 1.9 seconds left for the Raptors, who bounced back from a home loss to New Orleans on Sunday. Jason Richardson scored 18 of his 26 points in the first half, Gerald Wallace scored 20 points and Emeka Okafor had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Bobcats, whose faint playoff hopes took a hit.
J-Rich and Melo win Player of Week
The Charlotte Bobcats’ Jason Richardson and the Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 24, through Sunday, March 30. More info here.
J-Rich is playing well but it’s too little, too late for the Bobcats, who need a miracle to make the playoffs and may be having issues with head coach Sam Vincent, who several newspapers recently reported may not be kept around next season.
As for Melo, all recent talk was that they might miss the playoffs, as they were sitting in 9th place in the West for a while, but as of today they’ve jumped up to 7th, but only by virtue of a tie-breaker with the Mavericks and Warriors. I think Denver may stay in there.
Anyway, the Western conference playoff race is awesome. Even if you’re a fan of an East squad, watch the West closely, because that’s where it’s at.
Mar. 29: Bobcats 93, Blazers 85
The AP reports: Emeka Okafor scored 21 points and Jason Richardson added 20 for the Bobcats in a 93-85 victory over the Blazers on Saturday night. The Bobcats broke open the back-and-forth game in the final 2 minutes, and won despite being outrebounded 57-32 by the Blazers. “We got out rebounded and we still won so that shows a lot for our team,” said Raymond Felton, who added 18 points. Travis Outlaw tied a season-high with 26 points to lead Portland, and LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and 13 rebounds for his team-leading 15th double-double of the season.
Mar. 28: Bobcats 96, Sonics 93
The AP reports: Jason Richardson finished with two free throws with 5 seconds remaining to seal the win. Luke Ridnour’s layin at the buzzer provided the final margin. Richardson finished with 27 points, Raymond Felton had 21 and Emeka Okafor had 19… Kevin Durant, who had scored at least 20 points in four consecutive games, lead the Sonics with 18 points. Earl Watson had 16.
Mar. 26: Bobcats 108, Lakers 95
The AP reports: Jason Richardson had 34 points and 10 rebounds, Raymond Felton added 13 points and 10 assists, and the lowly Bobcats stunned the Lakers 108-95 on Wednesday night in a game where Kobe Bryant drew two technical fouls in a span of 29 seconds late in the fourth quarter and was ejected… Matt Carroll added 18 points and Gerald Wallace had 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Bobcats (26-56), who won for just the second time in eight games and snapped a six-game road losing streak. Emeka Okafor had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte, which outrebounded the Lakers 52-40. Bryant had 27 points and six rebounds before leaving with 3:40 left and the Bobcats in control. Lamar Odom had 18 points and nine rebounds, Ronnie Turiaf scored 12 and Sasha Vujacic and Walton added 11 each for the Lakers.