Heels in the League (03/20/09)

Really later for this edition of the “Heels in the League” thanks in part to March Madness, as the Tar Heels are on to the Sweet Sixteen, and then all the other games I was watching, I didn’t do my daily post about the ex Carolina players in the NBA. That means that besides this post about it, there will be another one later today/tonight. However, I want to put this small article I found about the ex Heels and their stats as well as their paychecks for the current season. For the games of 03/20 there were 11 in all and plenty of carolina blue in them, so let’s get this going.

First game is the one between the visiting Charlotte Bobcats and the Toronto Raptors. For the ‘Cats only Raymond Felton got to play at the Air Canada Centre, while his team mate Sean May was a “DNP – Coach’s Decision”. The speedy point guard got 42 minutes in all, scoring 14 points (6 for 14 from the floor) along with seven assists, two boards, two steals and a block. The ex Heel also did have a couple of turnovers but they didn’t hurt his team as Charlotte (31-38, 11-22 away) beat Toronto (24-45, 13-20 home) pretty easily, with the final score being 102 to 89.

Next game was played at the IZOD Center, where the New Jersey Nets played host to the Miami Heat. For the Nets it was Vince Carter getting 38 minutes and almost getting a double double against the Heat. The ex Heel guard scored 17 points (5 for 18), while adding nine rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and a steal. While Carter did have a couple of TO’s they didn’t damage the squad as New Jersey (30-39, 15-19 home) beat Miami (36-32, 12-21 away) 96 to 88 even with Dwayne Wade back for the Heat.

Third game has the Sacramento Kings heading to the Mecca of Basketball to take on the New York Knicks. Unfortunately for ex Tar Heel Rashad McCants he was a “DNP – Coach’s Decision” and was not able to perform in front of the Madison Square Garden fan base. That didn’t bother much the Kings as Sacramento (15-54, 5-31 away) destroyed New York (28-40, 18-17 home) by 27 points, with the final tally being 121 to 94. But while the Kings did a good job on the court it seems that they might have a lot more problems in the financial department according to this article.

The next game with a touch of carolina blue is the one between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Detroit Pistons held at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Once again this is a match up where the ex Tar Heel, Rasheed Wallace, is not playing, this time because the ex UNC big man has a problem with a left calf strain. As far as the game is concerned it was Detroit (34-34, 18-17 home) taking this one by 18, beating Los Angeles (17-52, 7-26 away) 108 to 90.

The second to last game of the day is the one that has the Washington Wizards going to the Pepsi Center to take on the Denver Nuggets. For the visiting team it’s Antawn Jamison getting 30 minutes and scoring a team high 27 points, while adding seven rebounds, one assist and a steal. The ex Heel did also committ four turnovers versus the Nuggets. When it was all said and done it was Denver (45-25, 27-8 home) winning the game, defeating Washington (16-54, 5-30 away) 116-105.

For the final game of the night, played at ORACLE Arena, it’s the Philadelphia 76′ers taking on the Golden State Warriors in an East vs West match up. For the home squad we see Brandan Wright who gets 29 minutes and scored 25 points on 10 for 13 night (5 for 5 from the charity stripe). The ex Heel also got six rebounds, one steal and a block, while turning over the ball once. The final was 119 to 111 for Golden State (25-44, 19-16 home), who defeated Philadelphia (34-33, 14-19 away) by eight.