Would Magic be sunk without Nelson?
As of this writing, the Orlando Magic have not gotten word on the MRI results on the shoulder of All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson, but there’s no doubt Nelson will be out a while and certainly miss the All-Star Game.
Nelson, who was having easily his best season, dislocated his shoulder in Monday’s loss to the Mavericks. The team is braced for him to miss weeks, not days. If surgery is required, he will be lost for the season.
Nelson recoiled in pain in the third quarter after trying to steal a ball from Mavs center Erick Dampier under the basket. He reached into Dampier with his right arm, jarred the ball loose, but then collapsed seconds later. He did not return to the game and was replaced by Anthony Johnson, who will assume the starting job until further notice.
“It’s a big blow for us,” center Dwight Howard said of Nelson’s injury. “I’m trying not to think about it because he’s been playing so well. It’s a sad day for all of us.”
Nelson’s dislocated shoulder was put back into place in the locker room by doctors. An anterior dislocation could knock Nelson out of action anywhere from six weeks to three months. A posterior dislocation, such as the one Miami’s Dwyane Wade suffered two seasons ago, could knock Nelson out for the rest of the season.
Nelson was named to his first NBA All-Star Game last week and leads all guards in shooting percentage. He is averaging 17 points a game. Hedo Turkoglu and rookie Courtney Lee will share the back-up point guard duties. The Magic did go 4-1 when Nelson missed five games at the end of November and the beginning of December. Orlando is next in action Wednesday against the Clippers – bet on it at WagerWeb.com.
The Magic likely will have to sign another point guard or trade for one. Right now, Johnson is the only other one on the roster. A few writers for the Orlando Sentinel speculate the team could look to Jason Williams. The former “White Chocolate” just retired from the NBA a few months ago, he’s played for Magic coach Stan Van Gundy (in Miami) and lives in Orlando.
Frankly, this injury won’t hurt Orlando’s chances of winning the Southeast Division – the Magic lead the Hawks by nine games. But the Magic will not get the best record in the East without Nelson and won’t get past Cleveland or Boston in the East semifinals.
NBA Betting at WagerWeb.com
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
