Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. ó Larry Brown’s latest coaching debut seemed more like an error ó in judgment.
“Way to get back. I wish I would have stayed retired,” the first-year Charlotte coach said, showing his sense of humor was still intact even if his team wasn’t.
Orlando jumped to a 31-point first quarter lead Monday night en route to a 118-80 victory over the Bobcats.
Brown, who is coaching his ninth NBA team in 25 seasons, watched as his young team shot just 3-for-21 and committed 13 fouls in the first quarter, sending the Magic to the line 20 times. Orlando scored 14 points in the last 2 minutes of the period, including a 3 and long jumper by Magic fan favorite J.J. Redick in the final 38 seconds that put Orlando up 40-9.
“Guys had the jitters,” veteran Bobcats guard Jason Richardson said. “We did a lot of things wrong.”
Gerald Wallace led Charlotte with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Richardson added 15 points.
NFL
DALLAS ó Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones was involved in a fight with one of his bodyguards, according to Dallas police, the night before attending a previously scheduled team meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
No one was arrested and no one will be charged in connection with the fight late Tuesday night at The Joule, an upscale downtown hotel.
Jones missed all of last season for Tennessee while serving an NFL suspension for off-field incidents. Goodell fully reinstated the cornerback, acquired by Dallas in a trade in April, just before the season opener.
– GREEN BAY, Wis. ó Barring some sort of minor medical miracle, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will once again be playing through the pain of a sprained right shoulder on Sunday.At least now he knows he can do it, leaving “no doubt” that he’ll be on the field in Seattle.
– BOSTON ó New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady underwent surgery on his left knee this week, a month after he was sidelined with the season-ending injury, The Boston Globe said.
– PHILADELPHIA ó Marvin Harrison is being sued by a man who says he was shot in the hand and body in April by the Indianapolis Colts star.
Harrison, who was never arrested or charged, is being sued by Dwight Dixon for $100,000 in damages in a suit filed in Philadelphia on Sept. 2.
NHL
RALEIGH ó The Carolina Hurricanes have finalized their roster for opening night.
The Hurricanes on Wednesday released their 23-man roster for Friday night’s regular-season opener against Florida ó and it includes their first-round draft pick this year.
The team also announced the status of a pair of forwards: Scott Walker will start the season on the injured list, and Justin Williams is on the non-roster injured list.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
GREENVILLE ó East Carolina suspended receiver Jamar Bryant indefinitely Wednesday.
“There is an expectation of conduct associated with being a member of the Pirate football program,” coach Skip Holtz said.
Bryant will miss Saturday’s game at Virginia. He had started 18 consecutive games, and was second on the team with 19 catches for 216 yards and three touchdowns.
– CHARLESTON, W.Va. ó Over the last three weeks, West Virginia’s Pat White twice tweaked a thumb and got hit in the head hard enough to knock him out of a game.
He’ll be ready Saturday, and Syracuse knows all too well that even a banged-up White is dangerous.