The Magic's rookie point guard doesn't sell himself short: 'I'm getting better every day'
The Full Nelson
This just in: Jameer Nelson is all done growing.
His game, though, continues to elevate, despite doubters who said college basketball's player of the year would -- pardon the pun -- fall short with a frame that hovers around the 6-foot mark.
It's a different level of play but the same old, worn-out story for Nelson. All he's ever done is hear the naysayers and then kick his trademark work ethic into full gear and let the results speak for themselves. Magic fans and NBA followers are starting to see what a dedicated and motivated Nelson can achieve at this level.
"You have to work hard, especially being short and people saying I can't make it," Nelson said. "I've had to prove people wrong my whole life and just keep working hard.
"People just want to make excuses, which really is fine with me. I'm always the underdog."
The Magic saw more than an underdog on draft day, sending a future first-round pick to Denver for the 20th overall choice. Not believing their luck, the team spoke of Nelson's fire and determination that was welcomed in the wake of a forgettable 2003-04 season.
Still, Nelson never was presented to fans as an immediate savior. Coaches spoon-fed him the ways of the NBA, sometimes playing him only 5 or 6 minutes a game. He missed the first eight shots he attempted and spent most of his time sitting and learning. Instead of a level of frustration, the Magic got a level head.
"It was easy because I'm not a guy who trips over his ego," Nelson said of his early days with the Magic. "I didn't come in thinking I was the best player ever. I felt like I was going to have to learn a lot. This was a new level I was going up to.
"I've learned a lot and I think I'm getting better every day."
There's little doubt about that. Nelson was given the team's starting point guard position on Feb. 26 against Miami. Since then, he's showing the poise, leadership and results that indicate it's his job to lose.
In his first eight games holding the keys to the offense, Nelson responded with averages of 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists, elevating himself onto nba.com's top rookie watch list. His trading cards, replica jerseys and autographed memorabilia are hot eBay items but it's only the beginning. Everyone associated with the team feels Nelson and fellow rookie Dwight Howard have injected a feeling of youthful optimism, not only for the future but for the present. "I think Jameer has really come on strong for us," [former] Coach Johnny Davis said. "He's playing like a veteran player. There are a lot of people who look at our situation and say, 'Well, they're trying to make the playoffs with two rookies in the rotation.' But those two rookies are exceptional in that they don't play like rookies.
"Jameer has just done a tremendous job for us. He's kept us steady at the point guard position. He's a quick decision maker, knows how to run the break, knows when to get you into the offense."
With four years of college behind him, Nelson is a rarity among NBA players. He could have jumped from St. Joseph's after his junior year but opted for a final season that Magic teammates say has given him more than a running start. "Oh man, he's doing good," said Steve Francis, who slid over to shooting guard to make way for Nelson. "I think those four years in college really, really helped him mature as a player. There are times I can tell he's a rookie but for the most part I think he's doing a wonderful job."
Adds teammate Tony Battie: "Being the college player of the year and having a stellar college career pretty much has groomed him into being a solid guard. He's in the same position now that Dwight was in the beginning of the year. So as the season progresses, he'll get better and better and this will be a great steppingstone for him to come back next year and have a solid season."
Since assuming the starter's job, Nelson hasn't flinched. Nor have Magic veterans who now follow a rookie's lead on the floor without any hesitation.
"He's the point guard and an extended version of the coach on the court," Francis said. "But I think guys respect his opinion and respect what he brings. It's not like he's coming in, trying to jack the ball up or coming in and turning the ball over. He's coming in playing solid defense and offense.
"I think he has the ear of everybody. If we all can step up the way he's doing now, I think we'll be good."
Davis acknowledges there are times when Nelson has been mismatched against larger guards and some team adjustments are necessary. But he'll take Nelson's attributes over that drawback any day.
"There are times when we have to do certain things to help him defensively but the flip side of that is he's done so much for our team that we need him on the floor," Davis said. "We live with the defensive deficiencies that may come about because of his lack of size. He more than makes up for that with a big, big heart and being a competitor the way he is."
Assistant coach Paul Westhead says the Magic are seeing fewer attempts at mismatches as Nelson's game is gaining respect throughout the league. "What has happened is his performance and his pluses have certainly outdistanced the concern that he might get posted up," Westhead said. "He's over that. And surprisingly, now that he's more established, you don't see a lot of people trying to take advantage of him with his size."
As guarded as Nelson is with the ball in his hands, he's equally as cautious in revealing much about life away from the court. His public persona is one of all business and focus, though teammates say he has a lighter, humorous side that he reveals mostly to them.
"I'm always having fun," he says, sparing any details.
He has a 2-year-old son -- Jameer Jr. -- but says his days otherwise are spent focusing on basketball. When time allows, especially during road games, he enjoys movies and dinner with teammates, but other than that, he says, "I just try to get my rest."
Based on how much of a role he's earned, he'll need it. Davis is set to keep Nelson as a starter during the team's playoff push, even if it means giving up an inch or two along the way. But if Nelson can live with it, so can Davis.
"He doesn't concede anything," Davis said. "I think oftentimes, he doesn't even realize he's the smallest man on the floor. He may even be the smallest man in the building at times.
"He's just a tremendous competitor and we're so happy with him. He just helps us be a better basketball team."
This article originally appeared in the April issue of Magic Magazine.
Scott Wallin is an Orlando freelance writer and regular contributor to Magic Magazine.
His game, though, continues to elevate, despite doubters who said college basketball's player of the year would -- pardon the pun -- fall short with a frame that hovers around the 6-foot mark.
It's a different level of play but the same old, worn-out story for Nelson. All he's ever done is hear the naysayers and then kick his trademark work ethic into full gear and let the results speak for themselves. Magic fans and NBA followers are starting to see what a dedicated and motivated Nelson can achieve at this level. "You have to work hard, especially being short and people saying I can't make it," Nelson said. "I've had to prove people wrong my whole life and just keep working hard.
"People just want to make excuses, which really is fine with me. I'm always the underdog."
The Magic saw more than an underdog on draft day, sending a future first-round pick to Denver for the 20th overall choice. Not believing their luck, the team spoke of Nelson's fire and determination that was welcomed in the wake of a forgettable 2003-04 season.
Still, Nelson never was presented to fans as an immediate savior. Coaches spoon-fed him the ways of the NBA, sometimes playing him only 5 or 6 minutes a game. He missed the first eight shots he attempted and spent most of his time sitting and learning. Instead of a level of frustration, the Magic got a level head.
"It was easy because I'm not a guy who trips over his ego," Nelson said of his early days with the Magic. "I didn't come in thinking I was the best player ever. I felt like I was going to have to learn a lot. This was a new level I was going up to.
"I've learned a lot and I think I'm getting better every day."
There's little doubt about that. Nelson was given the team's starting point guard position on Feb. 26 against Miami. Since then, he's showing the poise, leadership and results that indicate it's his job to lose.
In his first eight games holding the keys to the offense, Nelson responded with averages of 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists, elevating himself onto nba.com's top rookie watch list. His trading cards, replica jerseys and autographed memorabilia are hot eBay items but it's only the beginning. Everyone associated with the team feels Nelson and fellow rookie Dwight Howard have injected a feeling of youthful optimism, not only for the future but for the present. "I think Jameer has really come on strong for us," [former] Coach Johnny Davis said. "He's playing like a veteran player. There are a lot of people who look at our situation and say, 'Well, they're trying to make the playoffs with two rookies in the rotation.' But those two rookies are exceptional in that they don't play like rookies.
"Jameer has just done a tremendous job for us. He's kept us steady at the point guard position. He's a quick decision maker, knows how to run the break, knows when to get you into the offense."
With four years of college behind him, Nelson is a rarity among NBA players. He could have jumped from St. Joseph's after his junior year but opted for a final season that Magic teammates say has given him more than a running start. "Oh man, he's doing good," said Steve Francis, who slid over to shooting guard to make way for Nelson. "I think those four years in college really, really helped him mature as a player. There are times I can tell he's a rookie but for the most part I think he's doing a wonderful job."
Adds teammate Tony Battie: "Being the college player of the year and having a stellar college career pretty much has groomed him into being a solid guard. He's in the same position now that Dwight was in the beginning of the year. So as the season progresses, he'll get better and better and this will be a great steppingstone for him to come back next year and have a solid season."
Since assuming the starter's job, Nelson hasn't flinched. Nor have Magic veterans who now follow a rookie's lead on the floor without any hesitation.
"He's the point guard and an extended version of the coach on the court," Francis said. "But I think guys respect his opinion and respect what he brings. It's not like he's coming in, trying to jack the ball up or coming in and turning the ball over. He's coming in playing solid defense and offense.
"I think he has the ear of everybody. If we all can step up the way he's doing now, I think we'll be good." Davis acknowledges there are times when Nelson has been mismatched against larger guards and some team adjustments are necessary. But he'll take Nelson's attributes over that drawback any day.
"There are times when we have to do certain things to help him defensively but the flip side of that is he's done so much for our team that we need him on the floor," Davis said. "We live with the defensive deficiencies that may come about because of his lack of size. He more than makes up for that with a big, big heart and being a competitor the way he is."
Assistant coach Paul Westhead says the Magic are seeing fewer attempts at mismatches as Nelson's game is gaining respect throughout the league. "What has happened is his performance and his pluses have certainly outdistanced the concern that he might get posted up," Westhead said. "He's over that. And surprisingly, now that he's more established, you don't see a lot of people trying to take advantage of him with his size."
As guarded as Nelson is with the ball in his hands, he's equally as cautious in revealing much about life away from the court. His public persona is one of all business and focus, though teammates say he has a lighter, humorous side that he reveals mostly to them.
"I'm always having fun," he says, sparing any details.
He has a 2-year-old son -- Jameer Jr. -- but says his days otherwise are spent focusing on basketball. When time allows, especially during road games, he enjoys movies and dinner with teammates, but other than that, he says, "I just try to get my rest."
Based on how much of a role he's earned, he'll need it. Davis is set to keep Nelson as a starter during the team's playoff push, even if it means giving up an inch or two along the way. But if Nelson can live with it, so can Davis.
"He doesn't concede anything," Davis said. "I think oftentimes, he doesn't even realize he's the smallest man on the floor. He may even be the smallest man in the building at times.
"He's just a tremendous competitor and we're so happy with him. He just helps us be a better basketball team."
This article originally appeared in the April issue of Magic Magazine.
Scott Wallin is an Orlando freelance writer and regular contributor to Magic Magazine.
