Denton: Nelson Could Play Monday
By John Denton
December 20, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Jameer Nelson took great pride in the fact that coming back from a knee injury didn’t change his mentality on the court, and within minutes of returning he was bleeding from the mouth following an accidental elbow from Marcin Gortat.
But Nelson did say he’s reluctantly had to change some things off the court to try and protect his surgically repaired left knee.
``My weight is actually a little lower than I’m used to. I’ve actually been watching what I’ve been eating,’’ Nelson said somewhat begrudgingly. ``I actually had two salads yesterday and that’s really not me. The last time that I weighed in I was 199 and I used to play at 205.’’
Nelson’s work the past four weeks following arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus in his knee could have him back on the court Monday night when the Magic (20-7) host the Utah Jazz. Nelson went through shootaround drills with Orlando on Saturday and endured a full practice with no troubling signs on Sunday.
If there’s no swelling in Nelson’s knee, the Magic’s captain should play. The original plan called for him to return on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, but Nelson impressed in practice the past two days so much so that he could be on the floor against Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz.
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has said that Nelson is his starting point guard once fully healthy, but because he’s likely to play only limited minutes tonight, he’ll come off the bench if he can play. Jason Williams, who played well in Saturday’s win against Portland, will continue to start.
``He looked fine, he was moving well and competing hard and showing no fear and no tentativeness,’’ Van Gundy said on Sunday. ``There’s a possibility for (Monday) now, I guess. We’ll have to see what he looks like (Monday) after going through a full practice and then make a decision from there.’’
Part of the reason the Magic want to get Nelson back on the court is because of what Williams did to them two weeks ago in Utah. He repeatedly battered the Magic in pick-and-roll sets, going for 32 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds in a 120-111 Jazz victory.
If Nelson does return Monday, he could be in for a week of facing Williams, Houston speedster Aaron Brooks and Boston’s Rajon Rondo. But that is of no concern to the Magic’s 6-foot point guard.
``They will also have to guard me, too,’’ Nelson said brazenly. ``I’m not trying to be cocky or anything. It wasn’t like I was in practice not being aggressive. I’m trying to be aggressive and make plays.’’
While Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson have played well in relief of the injured Nelson, but the Magic offense has bogged down of late without the firepower that Nelson can bring. His return gives the Magic another stellar outside shooter and, most importantly, a serious scoring threat off pick-and-roll sets.
``He gives us another attacker and a guy who wants to get into the paint and make plays,’’ Van Gundy said. ``Plus, he’s a 40 percent 3-point shooter so we miss that, and we miss his overall toughness.’’
That toughness was apparent last spring when Nelson returned for The NBA Finals following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He was a shadow of himself in those games against the Lakers, but before that Nelson played at an all-star level. The Magic are hoping that eventually Nelson can get back to being the player that averaged 16.7 points and 5.4 assists while shooting 50.3 percent from the floor, 45.3 percent from 3-point range and 88.7 percent from the free throw line.
Nelson said his only goal is helping a Magic team become whole again. Orlando’s projected starting five of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Nelson have played just one game together all season, and that was the night (Nov. 16) that Nelson injured his knee so badly that it needed surgery. Making all-star teams again are of no concern, Nelson said.
``My focus isn’t on my accolades or my individual goals. I want us to get back to playing good, healthy basketball for 48 minutes again,’’ he said. ``Instead of me worrying about the all-star stuff – if it happens again, it happens – but I know who I am and what I’m capable of as a player.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonDecember 20, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Jameer Nelson took great pride in the fact that coming back from a knee injury didn’t change his mentality on the court, and within minutes of returning he was bleeding from the mouth following an accidental elbow from Marcin Gortat.
But Nelson did say he’s reluctantly had to change some things off the court to try and protect his surgically repaired left knee.
``My weight is actually a little lower than I’m used to. I’ve actually been watching what I’ve been eating,’’ Nelson said somewhat begrudgingly. ``I actually had two salads yesterday and that’s really not me. The last time that I weighed in I was 199 and I used to play at 205.’’
Nelson’s work the past four weeks following arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus in his knee could have him back on the court Monday night when the Magic (20-7) host the Utah Jazz. Nelson went through shootaround drills with Orlando on Saturday and endured a full practice with no troubling signs on Sunday.
If there’s no swelling in Nelson’s knee, the Magic’s captain should play. The original plan called for him to return on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, but Nelson impressed in practice the past two days so much so that he could be on the floor against Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz.
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has said that Nelson is his starting point guard once fully healthy, but because he’s likely to play only limited minutes tonight, he’ll come off the bench if he can play. Jason Williams, who played well in Saturday’s win against Portland, will continue to start.
``He looked fine, he was moving well and competing hard and showing no fear and no tentativeness,’’ Van Gundy said on Sunday. ``There’s a possibility for (Monday) now, I guess. We’ll have to see what he looks like (Monday) after going through a full practice and then make a decision from there.’’
Part of the reason the Magic want to get Nelson back on the court is because of what Williams did to them two weeks ago in Utah. He repeatedly battered the Magic in pick-and-roll sets, going for 32 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds in a 120-111 Jazz victory.
If Nelson does return Monday, he could be in for a week of facing Williams, Houston speedster Aaron Brooks and Boston’s Rajon Rondo. But that is of no concern to the Magic’s 6-foot point guard.
``They will also have to guard me, too,’’ Nelson said brazenly. ``I’m not trying to be cocky or anything. It wasn’t like I was in practice not being aggressive. I’m trying to be aggressive and make plays.’’
While Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson have played well in relief of the injured Nelson, but the Magic offense has bogged down of late without the firepower that Nelson can bring. His return gives the Magic another stellar outside shooter and, most importantly, a serious scoring threat off pick-and-roll sets.
``He gives us another attacker and a guy who wants to get into the paint and make plays,’’ Van Gundy said. ``Plus, he’s a 40 percent 3-point shooter so we miss that, and we miss his overall toughness.’’
That toughness was apparent last spring when Nelson returned for The NBA Finals following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He was a shadow of himself in those games against the Lakers, but before that Nelson played at an all-star level. The Magic are hoping that eventually Nelson can get back to being the player that averaged 16.7 points and 5.4 assists while shooting 50.3 percent from the floor, 45.3 percent from 3-point range and 88.7 percent from the free throw line.
Nelson said his only goal is helping a Magic team become whole again. Orlando’s projected starting five of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Nelson have played just one game together all season, and that was the night (Nov. 16) that Nelson injured his knee so badly that it needed surgery. Making all-star teams again are of no concern, Nelson said.
``My focus isn’t on my accolades or my individual goals. I want us to get back to playing good, healthy basketball for 48 minutes again,’’ he said. ``Instead of me worrying about the all-star stuff – if it happens again, it happens – but I know who I am and what I’m capable of as a player.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
