Jameer Nelson News: Pro Sports Daily

Jameer Nelson collects nine rebounds to help the Magic defeat the Lakers

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March 8

Orlando Sentinel

"Jameer Nelson stepped on a scale the other day and loved the results. He has lost eight pounds since January to drop to 198, and his weight loss is paying dividends on the basketball court. On Sunday, Nelson provided one of his most energetic performances of the season and routinely outfought much taller Los Angeles Lakers players for rebounds. The diminutive point guard scored 15 points, collected nine boards and dished out seven assists to help the Orlando Magic defeat the defending world champs 96-94 at Amway Arena. "There's no way we win that game without the plays he was making," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He was phenomenal. To get nine rebounds in a game like that against ..."

Jameer Nelson playing like an all-star again

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March 3

Orlando Sentinel

"J.J. Redick was asked what a healthy Jameer Nelson means to the Orlando Magic. "He takes us to another level," Redick said, matter-of-factly. It seems as if the court of public opinion sometimes wavers regarding Nelson, the club's starting point guard. But in the locker room, there is no debate. When Nelson is at the top of his game — and lately he has scaled to the apex — the Magic are confident they are as good as anybody in the NBA. Memo from the court of public opinion: The Magic reached the Finals last June essentially without Nelson, who was injured the last half of the season and through the Eastern Conference Finals. Didn't Rafer Alston get them there as a temp?"

Nelson leads Magic in 126-105 rout of Sixers

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March 2

Orlando Sentinel

"Hey, Superman. Mighty Mouse wants equal time. Dwight Howard calls 5-foot-10 Jameer Nelson by the cartoon moniker, and with Superman again in foul trouble, Nelson continued his improved play as well. Nelson put on a show for his family and friends as the Chester, Pa. native and former St. Joseph's star scored 22 points and added 10 assists to lead the Magic to a 126-105 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. The Magic (41-20) won for the fourth time in their last five games, and captured the second game of a back-to-back after defeating the Miami Heat on Sunday night. Actually, Nelson wants to be called "JN14" --- his initials and his uniform number --- instead of having the ..."

Jameer Nelson continued his solid February play with 16 points and six assists in the loss to Dallas

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February 20

Orlando Sentinel

"Jameer Nelson hasn't yet returned to the form that earned him an all-star nod last season before he injured his right shoulder. But the Orlando Magic point guard is inching closer. On Friday night, Nelson continued his solid February by scoring 16 points on 8-of-15 shooting as the Magic lost to the Dallas Mavericks 95-85 at Amway Arena. After missing 17 games earlier this season because of left-knee problems, Nelson arguably is playing his most efficient basketball of the season. He tallied six assists and just two turnovers against the Mavericks. "I could've made a couple different decisions in the lane, but that's in the past," Nelson said. "I attack the basket to go to score, and if ..."

Jameer Nelson listed as day-to-day with hyperextended left knee

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February 2

Orlando Sentinel

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"Carter's continued lack of production could be more of an issue if starting point guard Jameer Nelson and reserve small forward Mickael Pietrus are unavailable to play tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Arena."

Nelson reaggravates knee, not serious; Pietrus injures ankle out a week

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February 1

Orlando Sentinel

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"Orlando didn't emerge unscathed. Starting point guard Jameer Nelson hyperextended his left knee during the first quarter, reaggravating the joint on which he had surgery in November. Magic general manager Otis Smith and Nelson both said the injury wasn't serious. Shooting guard Mickael Pietrus turned his ankle and said he will probably miss a week."

Jameer Nelson is familiar with rookie of the year frontrunner Tyreke Evans

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January 23

Orlando Sentinel

"The Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson and the Sacramento Kings' Tyreke Evans go back a long way — all the way back to their hometown of Chester, Pa. Nelson grew up playing summer-league basketball with one of Evans' older brothers. Nelson first played a pickup game with Tyreke Evans about three years ago, back when Evans was in high school. "Even in that game he dominated people that were playing against him," Nelson. "You could see him being a professional athlete back then.""

Jameer Nelson sits out Thursday's practice but expects to play tonight against the Sacramento Kings

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January 22

Orlando Sentinel

"Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson sat out the team's practice Thursday afternoon at RDV Sportsplex because his surgically repaired left knee swelled a bit following Wednesday night's win over the Indiana Pacers. "It was just a routine day off," Nelson said. "Nothing to worry about." Nelson said he that he expects to play tonight against the Sacramento Kings at Amway Arena. Nelson had arthroscopic surgery on the knee on Nov. 18 to repair torn meniscus cartilage and returned to the team's rotation on Dec. 21."

Jameer Nelson says surgically repaired left knee not close to 100 percent

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January 14

Orlando Sentinel

"PG Jameer Nelson says he isn't close to 100 percent and that his surgically repaired left knee still is sore and swells occasionally. "It's not there yet," Nelson said after Tuesday night's game in Sacramento. "I just got to work through it." Nelson's explosiveness and quickness hasn't yet returned. As for now, there's no thought by the club about giving his knee more recovery time. "All I know is that he's cleared to play and he's playing hard, but right now, I just don't think that he has his quickness," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "That is what you notice most. I don't think he gets to the floor without being healthy, so unless they tell me otherwise, we'll stick with him. "He seems to ..."

Jameer Nelson looked sharp against Minnesota — now comes another test

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January 2

Orlando Sentinel

"It was easy to forecast gloom and doom for the Orlando Magic after their victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. Why? Because starting point guard Jameer Nelson played badly. He probably changed some minds tonight in Orlando's 106-94 victory over Minnesota. Nelson finished with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, added six assists and had just two turnovers. He also played almost 30 minutes, which should ease some fans' minds about his left knee, which had swelled a bit after the Christmas Day loss to Boston. "He seemed much, much sharper tonight," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I thought he did a good job tonight. Both of our point guards played well. I thought that was key.""

Jameer Nelson's knee will be tested in 1st of 4 back-to-backs

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January 1

Orlando Sentinel

"The Magic play the first of four consecutive back-to-backs tonight, an ordeal that might test starting PG Jameer Nelson's left knee. Nelson's practice time has been limited since he returned four games ago after missing 16 games following Nov. 18 knee surgery. He said he began experiencing swelling in the knee after the Boston game on Christmas Day. Nelson played 32 minutes in the loss to the Celtics after playing 14 and 29 the two previous games. He participated in about half the practice on Monday and Tuesday, much to coach Stan Van Gundy's frustration. He scored just four points on 1-of-7 shooting in 23 minutes in the victory against the Milwaukee Bucks. Backup Jason Williams came off ..."

More of a full (Jameer) Nelson for Orlando Magic?

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December 23

Orlando Sentinel

"Well, you can't say the Magic's point-guard scenario lacks drama. Tonight against the Houston Rockets, Jameer Nelson is expected to be back in the lineup, meaning the projected starting five for the Magic will be together for just their second game of the season. Rashard Lewis had rejoined Nelson, Mickael Pietrus, Dwight Howard and Vince Carter on Nov. 16 against Charlotte after missing the first 10 games because of a suspension. But the lineup made just a cameo appearance as Nelson was hurt late in the game. He missed 16 games before coming back Monday night against the Jazz. The intrigue could come with the other two point guards. Nelson's return will send Jason Williams to the backup ..."

Jameer Nelson practices, might play Monday

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December 21

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic point guard Jameer Nelson could play Monday night against the Utah Jazz after practicing with the team for the first time since his Nov. 18 knee surgery. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said a few days ago that Nelson wouldn't play until Wednesday night against Houston at the earliest. "There's definitely more of a possibility," Van Gundy said about Nelson returning Monday. Van Gundy didn't expect Nelson to start and said his minutes would be limited, a situation that the coach called "uncomfortable" in assigning playing time."

Point guard Jameer Nelson will practice Sunday and could play on Wednesday

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December 20

Orlando Sentinel

"Jameer Nelson soon will pass another milestone in his return from injury. The starting point guard is expected to practice Sunday with the Orlando Magic for the first time since Nov. 18, the day he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee. According to coach Stan Van Gundy, the team's medical staff has said that Wednesday's matchup against the Houston Rockets would be the earliest that Nelson could play in a game. "I'm not too worried about myself right now," Nelson said. "We've got to get a couple of things straightened out and get playing the right way. So, I'm not the priority right now. We are." Nelson participated in the Magic's shootaround on ..."

Van Gundy says earliest Jameer Nelson could return is Wednesday

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December 18

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Thursday that the earliest PG Jameer Nelson could play would be next Wednesday against the Houston Rockets and likely practice on Sunday. Nelson hasn't played since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Nov. 18. Van Gundy said, "It just depends on how he looks. We'll have to see if he's up to speed," Van Gundy said. "He's got to go through a practice." Nelson, who made the trip with the Magic to Miami, said before the game that he'd like to participate in Saturday's shootaround before the team faces the Portland Trail Blazers. Nelson said he hasn't had any swelling in the knee. He has been working out individually and "adding to my load" as the ..."

Awaiting Nelson's return

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December 8

Orlando Sentinel

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"Coach Stan Van Gundy says he doesn't think the return of injured PG Jameer Nelson will cause wholesale adjustments. Nelson is expected back from knee surgery in a few weeks. "It really doesn't. He's the starter and J-Will (Jason Williams) will go back to being the backup. I don't think it affects the playcalling very much. I don't think there will be adjustments for anybody but the two point guards.""

Jameer Nelson continues his knee rehab

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December 2

Orlando Sentinel

"As the Orlando Magic huddled after their workout Tuesday at RDV Sportsplex, PG Jameer Nelson stood alongside his teammates wearing a practice jersey and practice shorts. Just don't read anything into that. Nelson, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on Nov. 18 to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, spent Tuesday rehabbing the knee, not practicing. Nelson said that the original timeframe for his return still applies: that he expects to return four to six weeks from the date of his surgery. He said he's dealing with watching games from the sidelines. "I can't do anything about it," he said. "I'll just cheer my team on and be a professional." Praise from Van Gundy Magic coach Stan ..."

Jameer Nelson begins electrical stimulation treatments on his left knee

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November 25

Orlando Sentinel

"Orlando Magic PG Jameer Nelson said Tuesday that the tear in his lateral meniscus in his left knee was more extensive than doctors previously thought. "It was a little bigger than they thought," Nelson said. "It doesn't make any difference if you had to go in and fix it. Don't worry. I'll still have my hops." Dr. Craig Mintzer, the club's team doctor, performed Nelson's surgery on Nov. 18. Some teammates have been forecasting a quicker return for Nelson then the original four-to-six week prognosis. When asked about how far he was from a come back, Nelson said, coyly, "Weeks. Four to six. That's what I say. I don't know." But Nelson also said he wasn't coming back last season after ..."

Jameer Nelson may return sooner than expected

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November 21

Orlando Sentinel

"The Magic said that PG Jameer Nelson could be out four to six weeks, but teammates suggest he could miss as little as three weeks. If that's a target date, Nelson could return Dec. 2 for a home game against the New York Knicks. The more likely scenario might be Nelson coming back during the club's four-game West road trip Dec. 5-11. Nelson underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus on his left knee on Wednesday. He has proved to be a fast healer, returning for the NBA Finals last June after being ruled out for the season after injuring his shoulder in February. Rivers feel's Van Gundy's pain Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he's had players at times tell him to ..."

Magic's Jameer Nelson to have knee surgery

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November 18

Orlando Sentinel

"Jason Williams turns 34 today and was retired at this time last season. But the Orlando Magic will be asking more from the veteran point guard out of the University of Florida after learning on Tuesday that all-star Jameer Nelson will be out four to six weeks with a knee injury. The club said that Nelson will undergo arthroscopic surgery today to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. After enduring injuries, illnesses and Rashard Lewis' suspension since training camp, the Magic figured their luck had changed until Nelson's injury caught them by surprise. He apparently was hurt during the fourth quarter of the Magic's 97-91 victory against the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night. Williams, ..."

Jameer Nelson to undergo arthroscopic surgery on left knee Wednesday

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November 17

Orlando Sentinel

"The Orlando Magic suddenly have another injury concern. And this time, it's their starting point guard. Jameer Nelson will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee tomorrow morning to repair a torn meniscus. Team officials estimate that Nelson will miss four to six weeks following the procedure. Nelson was injured in the fourth quarter of Monday night's win over Charlotte and received an MRI this morning, team officials said."

Grant Hill advised Jameer Nelson not to play in last season's NBA Finals

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November 5

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic fans probably don't want to hear about Phoenix Suns SF Grant Hill advising any Magic player about playing with injuries. But Hill said before facing his old club on Wednesday night that he did speak with point guard Jameer Nelson last season and encouraged his former teammate not to come back to play in the playoffs. "Put that on the record. You can ask him. I told him not to play, just from my own experience," Hill said. "Not so much from a basketball standpoint. Maybe I shouldn't have, because you don't want to plant that seed in somebody before they're going out to play. But I said, 'Look, I've been out there when [I'm] not right and even when you are right, it's a process when ..."

Shots fall in home return as Orlando Magic scorch Phoenix Suns

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November 5

Orlando Sentinel

"Sometimes the worst thing for players about the NBA marathon schedule is that there's always another game. And sometimes the best thing for players about the NBA marathon schedule is that there's always another game. In World Series parlance, they can't wait for that next at-bat after a strikeout — or in this case, a flame-out. Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Ryan Anderson were eager to jettison the memories of Motown out of their minds from the previous 24 hours. They all erased the taste on Wednesday night at Amway Arena in a collective comeback, helping the Magic beat Phoenix 122-100 and hand the Suns their first loss. For once, this was a blessed back-to-back bounce-back after the ..."

Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson looking sharp in preseason

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October 16

Orlando Sentinel

"Jameer Nelson has made the play since childhood. He starts dribbling to his right. Then he suddenly passes the basketball across his body to the left. Nelson might have taken it for granted — until last June's NBA Finals. His right shoulder wouldn't permit him to make that particular pass. Now? No problem. "I've been able to make that pass from numerous different angles," Nelson said Thursday, a smile on his face. "Yeah, I'm fine." One of the Orlando Magic's most important goals this preseason has been to make sure their all-star point guard has recovered fully from the torn shoulder labrum he suffered last February. The entire team plays better when Nelson, the floor leader, feels ..."

Back to normal: Magic PG Jameer Nelson says he worked hard to regain old intensity

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September 28

Orlando Sentinel

"The only thing noticeably different about Jameer Nelson was his haircut. He had a hint of a Mohawk, a style change born at the light-hearted urging of his son, who sports the same 'do. Nelson plans on going back to his close-cropped, old-school cut once the Orlando Magic open training camp on Tuesday. Running a hand over his head and smiling, he said, "It's time to get serious and back to work." He also wants to resemble the point guard everyone recognizes. And, metaphorically speaking, that really is the question, isn't it? Is Jameer Nelson back to being his old self? "I feel good — normal now," he said. "I worked harder this summer than I did any summer ever because I had to. I wanted to ..."

PG Jameer Nelson's too-soon return ruining it for Magic

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June 13

Orlando Sentinel

columnist George Diaz

"The morning after feels like one of those beer-bong binges in college where you wake up at the frat house with a throbbing headache, underwear on your head and cold pizza in your pants. Makes you say, 'Whoa, dude.' Buzz kill. Forget the Advil. Pain ain't going away. O-town hurts. The Orlando Magic went on a suicide run against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Horrific to watch, the blood-splatter was everywhere: botched free throws, careless passes, defensive breakdowns and a catastrophic coaching meltdown. Other than that, how was the game, Mr. Van Gundy? Stan Van Gundy had done a superb job at shredding the sarcastic "Master of Panic" label that Shaquille O'Neal hung ..."

Magic point guard Jameer Nelson just fine with riding the pine

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June 11

Orlando Sentinel

"Jameer Nelson essentially is using the largest event in the NBA as his minicamp. The controversial Nelson experiment in the Finals hasn't gone the way the Magic had hoped. They haven't caught lightning in a bottle, much less a firefly. He'll remain Rafer Alston's backup at point guard for Game 4 tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers, although Anthony Johnson might want to begin light stretching in the bullpen, just in case. Coach Stan Van Gundy seemed to turn from optimist to realist on Wednesday when asked how much longer he can stick with Nelson if he continues to struggle in his comeback. "Right now, I mean ... we're sort of down that road," Van Gundy said. One more game? Two? "It all ..."

Conditioning main concern for Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson

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June 7

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic General Manager Otis Smith said Saturday that he's still confident of the decision to insert PG Jameer Nelson into the rotation despite a four-month layoff. Smith said that while team chemistry was an issue, the chance to win a title was worth the risk of playing Nelson, who had shoulder surgery Feb. 19. "I consider the chemistry question in everything that I do. So it's not necessarily just this," Smith said. "I consider it in everything that I do. You take a chance knowing that it will have some effect on [chemistry]. But you're in the NBA Finals. And last I checked we're going to do everything we can to win it." He said he wasn't overly concerned about Nelson aggravating his ..."

It's time to start Nelson at point guard

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June 7

Orlando Sentinel

columnist Mike Bianchi

"All of this conversation and consternation about whether Magic point guard Jameer Nelson should be playing in the NBA Finals is as ridiculously aggrandized as the "Sorry, honey" $4 million purple diamond ring Kobe Bryant bought his wife. As the Magic ready for tonight's crucial Game 2 against the Lakers, we should not be asking why Nelson is playing. What we should be asking is this: Why isn't Nelson starting? Why are the Magic and Coach Stan Van Gundy skirting and skulking and hemming and hawing about this move? Why are they being so indecisive and unclear? Let's review, shall we? A couple of weeks ago, after a Magic practice in Boston during the conference semifinals, the injured Nelson ..."

Lakers expect to see plenty of Jameer Nelson

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June 6

Los Angeles Times

"One would think the Lakers would be satisfied with their performance in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. The Lakers thoroughly dominated the Magic in winning by 25 points. They put the defensive clamps on the Magic, holding it to 30% shooting, bottled up Orlando center Dwight Howard and did not allow many clean looks for the Magic's three-point shooters. But nooo. "You're never extremely satisfied," Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw said Friday. Shaw is in charge of developing the Lakers' game plan to slow down the Magic, the same as he did during the regular season. "But I'm happy with the effort that our guys put forth. It's just one game, so whether they lost by 25 or ..."

Nelson rusty but glad to be back on court

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June 5

Denver Post

"After sitting out with a shoulder injury since Feb. 2, Jameer Nelson started the second quarter for Orlando on Thursday, battling through pain to have a pretty nice night. In the Magic loss, the all-star played 23 minutes, scoring six points with four assists and only one turnover, though shooting 3-for-9 from the field. "I felt good. My rhythm was a little off, but it was good to be back out there," Nelson said. "There's always room for improvement, and the next two days individually - and as a team - we need to improve on some things." Nelson said he doesn't plan to start during the series, instead subbing in for starter Rafer Alston, who had six points and one assist. The Magic had only ..."

Chris Webber: Playing Nelson that much was a mistake

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June 5

Orlando Sentinel

"Experience counts and bringing back an injured guy who hasn't been part of a playoff run for the finals doesn't work according to Chris Webber. "You know this is a surprise because Orlando was so good until now but then it isn't a surprise because Orlando just got here. "You evaluate their expressions before the game and you think that for Orlando to match that (Laker) intensity, against a team that has been here so many times, it's hard. It's a different thing, the finals, and you look around, Kobe has been here before, Phil Jackson has been here before. "You can't overrate experience or sometimes naivety that you don't know what to expect and you just go out and play. That works ..."

Nelson's return a nice problem

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June 5

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic point guard Jameer Nelson said earlier this week that it would take "a miracle" to complete his dramatically fast rehab on a surgically repaired shoulder in time to play in the NBA Finals. Well, the NBA's playoff slogan this year is "Where amazing happens." And Thursday those amazing occurrences extended to Nelson. Coach Stan Van Gundy announced before Game 1 that Nelson, after sitting out just over four months following his Feb. 3 injury, would get to play after all. Nelson had been participating in light 4-on-4 games since last week. But Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith waited to see how he performed in full practice sessions Tuesday and Wednesday before making the final ..."

Magic guard Nelson returns

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June 5

L.A. Daily News

"Magic guard, back for Finals after injury hiatus, getting his fill of hearing about Knicks legend. If Jameer Nelson didn't know who Willis Reed was before the NBA Finals, he certainly knows who he is now. "I've probably heard his name at least once a day for a week now." Nelson said. With good reason. Nelson, the Orlando Magic All-Star, was activated Thursday and in uniform to play Game 1 of the Finals against the Lakers at Staples Center. The high-scoring point guard had been sidelined since Feb.2 with a torn labrum, an injury that was expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season. It did - at least for the regular season and the first three rounds of the playoffs. But with the ..."

Wait a minute, Jameer Nelson will play tonight

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June 4

Orlando Sentinel

"The Orlando Magic made all-star point guard Jameer Nelson's surprising comeback official hours just before Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the L.A. Lakers on Thursday: He's playing. Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy, wrestling with the decision, said that Nelson would come off the bench behind starter Rafer Alston. "We're going to dess him today and probably play him," Van Gundy said. Van Guundy said that Nelson will replaced veteran Anthony Johnson, who backs up Alston. Nelson has been trying to come back since Feb. 19 shoulder surgery. He has been ahead of schedule in his rehab and has been feverishly trying to persuade the team that he is ready, participating in his first practice Tuesday in ..."

Jameer Nelson not expected to play tonight

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June 4

Orlando Sentinel

"Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson isn't likely to play tonight in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the L.A. Lakers, but he is expected to be activated and dress out, the Sentinel has learned. The chance of him playing in the series is still remote. Nelson has been feverishly trying to come back early from Feb. 19 shoulder surgery. The Magic have been evaluating his progress the last few days, and it appeared he might be a long shot to play after returning to practice this week. Nelson was two months ahead of his projected six-month rehab schedule and had increased the intensity of his workouts the past three weeks, he did not participate in his first formal practice with the Magic ..."

Return could be pointless

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June 4

Boston Globe

"While Orlando's Jameer Nelson has said he is ready to return early from shoulder surgery, a Magic source isn't expecting much from the point guard in the Finals. Nelson had a torn labrum in his right shoulder surgically repaired Feb. 19 and at the time the injury was deemed season ending. Nelson, however, practiced the past two days and is expected to be available off the bench in Game 1 tonight against the Lakers. Even so, the team source said he wouldn't be surprised if Nelson played very little, if at all, because of rustiness. "People say I shouldn't even be trying this and maybe I shouldn't," Nelson said prior to practice at Staples Center yesterday. "But I'm not second-guessing ..."

Magic's big question remains: Will Jameer Nelson play in NBA Finals?

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June 4

Orlando Sentinel

"There's at least one guy who fully expects all-star point guard Jameer Nelson to play for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals. And that's Anthony Johnson — the point guard whom Nelson likely would be replacing off the bench in the rotation. "I'm pretty sure he's going to be given the benefit of the doubt. I expect him to be out there sometime during the series," said Johnson, the veteran who has been backing up starter Rafer Alston. "You got to play the guys who give you the best chance to win." Nelson participated in his first formal practice on Tuesday at RDV Sportsplex, his first significant action in exactly four months after injuring his right shoulder Feb. 2 against the Dallas ..."

Jameer Nelson closer to getting nod for NBA Finals

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June 3

Orlando Sentinel

"Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson looks to be closer to playing in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers as observers said he was flying down the floor, running with the second team in Tuesday's practice. Teammates are convinced that Nelson is making a return after missing four months of the season. Nelson has been trying to come back early from Feb. 19 shoulder surgery and the club is using practices on Tuesday and Wednesday, in Los Angeles, to evaluate whether he can play. "I'm pretty sure he's going to be given the benefit of the doubt. I expect him to be out there sometime during the series," said Anthony Johnson, the veteran back-up point guard to starter Rafer Alston. ..."

Jameer Nelson playing it coy

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June 3

Los Angeles Times

"There's at least one guy who fully expects All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson to play for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals. And that's Anthony Johnson -- the point guard whom Nelson probably would be replacing off the bench in the rotation. "I'm pretty sure he's going to be given the benefit of the doubt. I expect him to be out there sometime during the series," said Johnson, the veteran who has been backing up starter Rafer Alston. "You got to play the guys who give you the best chance to win." Nelson participated in his first formal practice Tuesday, his first significant action in exactly four months after injuring his right shoulder Feb. 2 against the Dallas Mavericks. The Nelson ..."

Nelson ready to practice with team

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June 2

Florida Today

"The tease to bring back Jameer Nelson for the NBA Finals is understandable for the Orlando Magic because the point guard played so well against the Los Angeles Lakers in two regular-season meetings, scoring 28 and 27 points. But because it's been exactly four months to the day since Nelson last played in an NBA game following a major shoulder injury that required surgery, the Magic are unsure as to what the 6-foot guard could provide them now. When the Magic started preparations for the finals and the Lakers on Monday, it was the talk of a possible Nelson return that created a stir around the team's practice facility. After all, Nelson was an All-Star enjoying the finest season of his ..."

Magic's Jameer Nelson: 'Every day I feel a little better'

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June 2

Orlando Sentinel

"Jameer Nelson is back on the basketball court. But don't get too excited about seeing him in uniform in the NBA Finals against the L.A. Lakers. Nelson started practicing with the team last week and will participate in workouts today in Orlando and Wednesday in Los Angeles before a final decision is made about whether he will be activated for the Finals. So far his action has been limited to 4-on-4 pickup games, though he has taken some contact. Nelson was cautiously optimistic about his prospects. He suffered a torn labrum on Feb. 3 and had surgery on it Feb. 19, with the team signing Rafer Alston the same day. Doctors told Nelson to expect a six-month recovery. So far it has been a little ..."

Magic mull return of Jameer Nelson for NBA Finals

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May 31

Orlando Sentinel

"The Magic are encouraged by Jameer Nelson's rehabilitation so much that they will evaluate the possibility of the all-star playing in the NBA Finals against the Lakers, the Sentinel has learned. Magic President Bob Vander Weide said the team is exploring whether Nelson can return after undergoing shoulder surgery Feb. 19. He hasn't played since he was injured Feb. 3 against the Dallas Mavericks. Although Nelson wouldn't be in prime condition, Vander Weide said, "the chance to get an all-star point guard on the floor for 15 minutes a game ... you'd have to look at that." The Magic had ruled him out for the season and the playoffs, and as late as a week and a half ago General Manager Otis ..."

Magic miss their Little Guy Jameer Nelson running show

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May 13

Orlando Sentinel

columnist Mike Bianchi

"His team was blowing yet another double-digit playoff lead in the fourth quarter and Jameer Nelson sat on the bench helplessly and hopelessly Tuesday night. Where's the Magic's composure in the postseason, you ask? Where's their coolness? Where's their heart? Where's their toughness? I'll tell you where it is. It's right over there in street clothes, that's where. Every day, we hear how much the Boston Celtics miss their injured leader, Kevin Garnett. Every game, the TV cameras point toward K.G. on the Boston bench and the commentators will invariably say: "The Celtics just aren't the same without the big guy in there." In the wake of the Magic frittering away yet another big lead Tuesday ..."

For Jameer Nelson, postseason painful to watch

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May 5

Boston Herald

"Jameer Nelson sat quietly on the sideline, clad in a fashionable suit jacket, watching his Orlando Magic teammates go through a pregame shooting drill. Not exactly where the All-Star point guard wanted to be last night. The fourth-year pro had his season come to an abrupt end Feb. 2 when he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder against the Dallas Mavericks. The injury put Nelson in a self-described role as the "highest-paid assistant coach in the history of the game." "This is really frustrating, but at the same time, I'm still here in a position to help," Nelson said before last night's 95-90 victory against the Celtics. "One thing I have to understand is that everything happens ..."

Magic's Nelson healing quickly

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February 18

Florida Today

"Able to lift his right arm overhead and surprised by the progress he's made the past two weeks, injured Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson is still holding out hope of playing again this season. Nelson dislocated his shoulder and tore the labrum on Feb. 2 during a collision with Dallas center Erick Dampier. Nelson needs surgery and a four-to-six month rehabilitation period to repair the tear in the labrum. But one of the Magic's toughest players is hoping that with continued rehabilitation on the shoulder he can postpone surgery to the summer and return this season. "I think I can still play, I think so," Nelson said as he raised his arm up simulating a jump shot. "I'm just keeping hope, ..."

Magic point guard Jameer Nelson's shoulder decision coming soon

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February 12

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic GM Otis Smith that he would sit down with PG Jameer Nelson next week to see where they were headed in regards to dealing with the torn labrum in his right shoulder. Smith didn't say it specifically, but indications were that decision likely would be to have season-ending surgery. "The thing about it is that is his right handed and it affects his strong arm," Smith said. Smith noted that other players have returned from Nelson's injury in the past. But Smith said that his contact style at the point would make it harder for him to do the same. History at the break Even before they tipped off Wednesday night, the Magic were guaranteed to have their second-best record in franchise ..."

Meaning of Nelson's loss more and more apparent to Magic

Comment

February 12

Orlando Sentinel

columnist David Whitley

"Stop the season. The Magic want to get off. Luckily for them, the season does stop today. The bad news is it resumes next week, which is about six months too soon. It will take that long for Jameer Nelson to be back to his new self. And we're starting to see just how valuable he was to the Magic. They played their worst offensive game of the season Wednesday night. It was so bad that a healthy Nelson might not have mattered. Magic Johnson in his prime would have had a hard time salvaging this kind of stinker: Turnovers — 24. Shooting — 30.4 percent. Focus — 19.2 percent. But on the bright side, the Magic dancer made Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue. If only Deanna Clover could have made ..."

Nelson likely will have surgery

Comment

February 12

Florida Today

"Injured Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson still is gathering opinions as to whether or not he should undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. But Magic general manager Otis Smith has basically decided that the All-Star has played his last game this season. Nelson's finest season as a pro was interrupted on Feb. 2 because of a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Nelson has since sought second and third opinions from doctors and star players such as Miami's Dwyane Wade and Philadelphia's Elton Brand. The Magic are expected to announce next week that Nelson will undergo an arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder that will require six months of rehabilitation. Smith has allowed Nelson to seek other ..."