John Denton on Jameer Nelson
"Jameer isn't doing anything we didn't expect him to do. We saw the progression there," Smith said. "People make a lot out of contracts and contract size, but I'm about people and having those people in the right place. Really, it's all about building around No. 12 (Howard). I'll take the hit for Rashard's deal and Jameer's deal, but I'm the one who considers how they fit into our team.
"I couldn't lose (Jameer) because we were worried about a dollar amount," Smith continued. "To the people who said we gave him too much money, give me 10 (point guards) who are better than him? I think I'm right."
Smith, who rarely misses a game or practice, is as dialed in to his team as any GM in all the NBA. Smith and Nelson make a point of signaling to each other prior to every tipoff and rarely does a practice go by that Nelson isn't in his office afterward for a pep talk or chewing out.
Also, Denton's midseason awards here
Dwight Howard 3rd for MVP (Wade, James)
Dwight Howard #1 Defensive POY
Stan Van Gundy #1 for COY
Jameer Nelson #1 for Most Improved
posted by WeRDevos @ 10:36 AM
4 Comments:
At 2:58 PM,
Big Figure said…
Just more evidence we have the right guys. Otis has put together one hell of a team,and his chosen leader (nelson)is doing just that,leading.
At 7:37 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
I have to agree with Big Figure on this one. Otis Smith has put together an outstanding team, and had the vision to sign Jameer Nelson to the long-term contract before last season.
I know Matt said last week that we shouldn't be too quick to give kudos to Otis for signing Jameer, because Jameer didn't justify the first year of his contract with his inconsistency, and because Coach Van Gundy uses an offensive system which caters to the strengths of the players.
That certainly is true, but as Big Figure said in one of his posts last week, bottom line is Otis made the right move in signing Nelson to the long-term contract.
At 8:00 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
By the way, Nelson was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week Tuesday for last week's games, in which he averaged 24.7 ppg and 8 assists in leading the Magic to a 4-0 mark.
That's the SECOND time he's been named Player of the Week this season!
At 2:51 AM,
Matt said…
The team is winning, and that is easy to go out of our way to grant credit. The same analogy applies to history when all strategic blunders of the winner is overlooked. In fact, the Magic is overachieving due to an excellent coach, in my view. The coach has instilled cohesion in the team, and is allowing the players to play to their strengths. His strategy is plainly built around the individual players' talents. There is no doubt that Jameer has improved leaps and bounds this year, but he has his limitations in size and defensive ability which happened to be exposed in games against BOS and DET when he played against Rondo and Stuckey. Now as the Magic is moving the ball terrifically (credit to coach) those deficiencies have been covered to some extent, as well.
Regardless, congratulations to Jameer for winning the east player of the week for the second time. Well deserved.
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