BOBCATS 115, 76ERS 109

Bobcats end season with win, questions

Vincent's future murky after disappointing first season

RICK BONNELL

rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com

MCT

Charlotte Bobcats Emeka Okafor shoots over Philadelphia 76ers Andre Iguodala at Time Warner Cable Arena on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Diedra Laird/Charlotte Observer/MCT)

BOBCATS HISTORY

SEASON	RECORD	COACH
2004-05	18-64	Bickerstaff
2005-06	26-56	Bickerstaff
2006-07	33-49	Bickerstaff
2007-08	32-50	Vincent

For much of the second half, Fan Appreciation Night looked more like fan depreciation.

The Charlotte Bobcats' 23-point lead in the season-closer had melted down to a one-point deficit. For the second night in a row, they were about to lose a game they led by 20 or more.

Then Raymond Felton and Emeka Okafor rose to the occasion. Felton scored six points and Okafor had four in a 21/2-minute run that salvaged a 115-109 win against the playoff-bound Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

The Bobcats finished 32-50, one victory short of tying their record last season. For the first time in the team's four-season history, progress wasn't reflected in the final record.

And that question hung in the air: Will coach Sam Vincent make it to a second season?

"I'm surely not going to walk away from my responsibilities," Vincent said when asked how confident he was that he'd return next season.

Vincent was referring to a quote his boss, Michael Jordan, gave the Observer, indicating that unless Vincent wanted out, he'd likely be retained. However, Jordan also made it clear that Vincent's performance would be evaluated after the season.

The players were careful not to step over some line by speculating on their coach's job security. Vincent had predicted a playoff appearance, and perhaps even home-court advantage, before training camp.

"That's a question I would not touch," said Felton, who finished with 18 points and 12 assists.

This game was a microcosm of the season: Jason Richardson was spectacular (29 points and seven rebounds). He finished with the fourth-most 3-pointers ever in an NBA season (243). Okafor was solid with 24 points and nine rebounds.

But then there were the typical flaws: Even with the Bobcats shooting great (57 percent from the field), they let the 76ers back into the game by giving up extra possessions. Philadelphia finished with 19 offensive rebounds (to Charlotte's 11) and 10 steals (to Charlotte's five.)

Vincent said he's learned from the season, and is more comfortable both in his job and with his players. Still, he knows Jordan's competitive zeal means mediocre seasons won't do for long.

"That's a big set of eyes on you," Vincent said of Jordan, who sat courtside -- a rarity -- for much of the first half.

The head behind those eyes now must decide whether Vincent is the guy to get them from here to there.