LOS ANGELES — Injured Magic guard Jameer Nelson seemed optimistic Wednesday that if given the go-ahead, he could play in the NBA Finals but also said, “It’s still a longshot.”
The all-star guard participated in workouts Wednesday at the Staples Center in anticipation for tonight’s Game 1.
“My health is most important right now, and I’m definitely satisfied with my health,” said Nelson, who injured his right shoulder Feb. 2 and hasn’t played since. “I have to feel good about it, but everybody has to partake in the decision. I want to play; I’m a competitor. Who wouldn’t want to play? Whether I can play will be determined. It’s not up to me — it’s up to management and ownership.”
So it appears to be a game-time decision for one of the biggest moves in franchise history. Nelson is a key cog in the Magic’s future, averaging 16.7 points and 5.4 assists this season, but rushing him onto the court is a risk to his shoulder’s rehabilitation. On the other hand, if the franchise’s lone goal is to win a championship, and Nelson can give you some minutes, why not let him help you win the title?
“I think he’s able to play right now,” Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. “Now, how much he can do, I don’t know. (As for) chemistry, it’s not like he hasn’t played with our guys. I don’t worry about that a whole lot, and I don’t think our guys need an emotional boost. I don’t think it’s going to be like a Willis Reed moment (from the 1970 NBA Finals) or anything. . . . But the decision won’t be easy.”
Back in the day.
When Nelson was in junior high in the Philadelphia area, he said he would follow the high school career of Kobe Bryant, the prep sensation who was drafted out of high school and, of course, will face Nelson in the Finals. Asked if Bryant set the standard for Philadelphia ballplayers, Nelson smiled and said: “You want to hold your standards to a guy like that, but you got to be realistic. On offense, he was a point guard; on defense, he was the center.”
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
