News Journal: Magic's Nelson shakes off criticism

mhectorgato · Post #1 » by **mhectorgato** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:52 pm

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJ ... 041908.htm

By KEN HORNACK
Staff Writer

....

If the Magic are to extend their season beyond the first round of the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, it will depend in large part on how well he plays against the Toronto Raptors and their point guard combination of T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon.

And after missing 13 games during the season, including Wednesday because of a mild sprain of his left thumb, Nelson's pride has been hurt by suggestions that he's no match for Ford or Calderon and the Raptors thus stand a decent chance of eliminating the Magic.

"Of course I take it personally, because I know I can guard them," Nelson said Friday after the Magic's first practice since the conclusion of the regular season. "I'm just as good as those guys. I'm not upset or anything like that because everybody has their own opinion and everybody is entitled to their opinion. But at the same time, I know what I can do and I know what I'm going to do."

magicfan4life05 · Post #2 » by **magicfan4life05** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:56 pm

enough talk, now is the time to prove it on the court and let it speak for you.....just go out and do it meer

Kosta · Post #3 » by **Kosta** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:18 pm

Poor guy is delusional...

No, but seriously, you have to respect that he's up for the challenge.

Post #4 » by **magik9113** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:24 pm

yea he better prove it on the court now.
i believe in him

NEM · Post #5 » by **NEM** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:48 pm

this series really boils down to the point guard play...let's face it we won't stop bosh and they won't stop dwight...those 2 cancel each other out...the point guard play is the x-factor

Post #6 » by **craig01** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:03 pm

He's not quick enough laterally. Nelson will need to be physical, as his strength can be his biggest asset defensively.

Arroyo will play matador against their guards.

Dooling better be ready.

OMPunk · Post #7 » by **OMPunk** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:16 pm

Jameer is a strong guy that plays ok defense....he should do alright against Ford.

I really like Nelson and his play has improved this season

Post #8 » by **craig01** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:20 pm

D12J14 wrote:Jameer is a strong guy that plays ok defense....he should do alright against Ford.

I really like Nelson and his play has improved this season

I agree. He has improved, but is just limited in ability to defend.

macdalejax · Post #9 » by **macdalejax** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:23 pm

We've also got one of the best defenders in the league in the Ninja plus one of the most versitle playmaker/scorers in the league in Hedo to which Toronto has no answer to. We'll be just fine.

ProfX · Post #10 » by **ProfX** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:49 pm

The Pg battle will be a big deal but not the only factor.

Dwightmare · Post #11 » by **Dwightmare** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:58 pm

RawLewD12 wrote:this series really boils down to the point guard play...let's face it we won't stop bosh and they won't stop dwight...those 2 cancel each other out...the point guard play is the x-factor

Id say Hedo and Rashard tip the scales in our favor...

OMPunk · Post #12 » by **OMPunk** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:10 pm

dwightmeer wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Id say Hedo and Rashard tip the scales in our favor...

exactly....I take the Mo Evans/Hedo/Rashard threesome over the Parker/Moon/Bargnani pairing any day (no homo)

Last Guardian · Post #13 » by **Last Guardian** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:58 pm

Well its a tough task. Ford is probably the quickest guy in the league and Calderon is 5 inches taller and a great shot. We know Nelson struggles most against powerful point guards with a back to the basket game, like Billups and Andre Miller. Ford or Calderon aren't like that, but they should still give Nelson some problems.

But on the other end, Ford and Calderon are not 1st team defenders. Nelson is a quality point guard when aggressive, and should look to be just that against those two. I can definitely see him getting to the basket time and time again if he just has the confidence and aggressiveness to do it.

If Ford and Calderon are too much for Nelson, a certain possibility, we do have the luxury of playing Dooling, one of the better point guard defenders in the league, and not too much of a slouch offensively when in attack mode.

maginno · Post #14 » by **maginno** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:32 pm

craig01 wrote:He's not quick enough laterally. Nelson will need to be physical, as his strength can be his biggest asset defensively.

Arroyo will play matador against their guards.

The playoffs are upon us. Criticism of players, management, even the Hot Dog vendor is unacceptable. I am going under the assumption that Nelson is better than any PG in the playoffs :uhoh:

.

You go Meer :rock:

Post #15 » by **craig01** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:06 pm

maginno wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

The playoffs are upon us. Criticism of players, management, even the Hot Dog vendor is unacceptable. I am going under the assumption that Nelson is better than any PG in the playoffs .

You go Meer

Thanks.

I forgot. ( Bad habit)

drsd · Post #16 » by **drsd** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:06 pm

One point: at St. Johns, Nelson was so good because he ignored the media bobble-heads. That confidence is probably the best mental component of the academic part of Nelson's game.

MagicNolesFSU · Post #17 » by **MagicNolesFSU** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:27 pm

Game 1 - Nelson owns Toronto PG's. Next up, Game 2.

Post #18 » by **magik9113** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:40 pm

drsd wrote:One point: at St. Joes, Nelson was so good because he ignored the media bobble-heads. That confidence is probably the best mental component of the academic part of Nelson's game.

fixed...

at least we know jameer > mike james

drsd · Post #19 » by **drsd** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:26 am

..

From the Studs and Duds top ten:

DUDS:

1. Me: Click on the following link and check out the photograph and you'll see why.

Dwight, Magic fans are Studs; Hillary, Obama are Duds

..