Nelson Practices, Players Expect Him To Play
June 3rd 2009 15:29
Will Jameer Nelson make an appearance on Thursday?
As you may have heard, Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson participated in a full practice yesterday, his first since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder in February.
Nelson was declared out for the season after the injury but now with his team fighting for its first ever NBA title, Nelson is looking to give it a go. Following the practice, his teammates were optimistic that he would play on Thursday night.
"I expect to see him out there at some point in the series," point guard Anthony Johnson said.
But watching Nelson talk on SportsCenter, I just didn't get the vibe that deep down, he felt confident enough in his shoulder to withstand the physicality of playing playoff basketball. Nelson's words said that he felt like he could play, but his body language told me otherwise.
I'd hate to be Magic general manager Otis Smith right about now. Everyone wants Nelson to play, but do you risk chemistry by adding Nelson at this point of the season, especially since he hasn't played in months? It's tough to say, especially because Nelson has such a high basketball IQ.
There's also the added risk of Nelson re-injuring his shoulder while playing. Nelson had an All Star season this year and is only going to get better. If he, or anyone else on that team doesn't believe that a crafty veteran like Lakers point guard Derek Fisher isn't going to try and be physical with Nelson, knowing that he has a bum shoulder, then they are either naive or stupid.
Then again, this is the playoffs, this is the Finals and who knows when you're ever going to get another shot at this opportunity. The last time the Magic were in the Finals, it was 1995. I was seven, watching Power Rangers and wearing shoes that had velcro straps or had lights in them in 1995.
It took Orlando 14 years to get back to the Finals. That's forever in the sports world. That's why Nelson's even thinking about playing. Nelson may never get back again. He may never have another shot at a ring. If I were Nelson, I'd be trying to do anything I could to get on that court as well. But Smith has to think about what's best for the team, and if I'm Smith, Nelson would be in a suit on Thursday night.
The Magic have gotten this far without Nelson, and Rafer Alston has been more than serviceable as his replacement. Nelson is a rising star and Smith has to ensure that he doesn't mess that up.
Either way, it'll be interesting to see how this all unfolds over the next 48 hours.
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