There is no PG controversy. I repeat, there is no PG controversy. How come every time the Magic acquire another PG, whether it’s a Puerto Rican native beloved by his people who now reside in Orlando, a former street ball legend, or a 33 year old former flashy passer who hasn’t played in the NBA in over a year, there is a supposed PG controversy?
I’m usually a fan of Tim Povtak. He does a very good job covering the Magic and the rest of the NBA over at NBA fanhouse and was a solid writer for the Orlando Sentinel, but I just don’t understand how any thinks that a 33 year old PG that hasn’t even played in over a year is going to start a controversy with a 26 year old PG who made the All Star Game last year. Povtak thinks that Williams will challenge Nelson for his starting role.
"“The Orlando Magic sent Rafer Alston to New Jersey earlier this summer because they didn’t want a point guard controversy brewing this season. … They are going to have one now. It’s only a matter of time. … By signing veteran point guard Jason Williams – a starter for the 2006 NBA champion Miami Heat – the Magic have opened the door to a world of late-game second guessing, especially if starter Jameer Nelson can’t deliver consistently and keep the Magic atop the Eastern Conference standings.”"
Why would Nelson not deliver consistently? He did last season up until his injury. It looked like Jameer had finally figured out what it took to be a successful PG in the NBA with his skill set and his limited size.
Mike Bianchi wrote a blog in the online blog for the Orlando Sentinel discussing what Povtak wrote.
Here’s what Bianchi had to say about Povtak.
"“Interesting take, but one I happen to think is ludicrous. Signing Williams doesn’t assure a point guard controversy. The only thing that’s going to create a point guard controversy is if Nelson struggles. And if that happens a point guard controversy is inevitable no matter what backup point guard the Magic signed this offseason.”"
For once, I am in complete agreement with Bianchi. While Williams was sitting at home, Nelson was averaging 16.7 PPG, 5.4 APG, and 3.5 RPG while limiting his turnovers averaging just 1.98 per game, the lowest since his rookie season. His shooting was also off of the charts as he shot 50.3% from the field, including 45.3% from beyond the arch and 88.7% from the free throw line, all career highs.
I’m not complaining about the Jason Williams signing. I don’t think it was a bad move at all since the Magic did not have the means to acquire the real man they wanted – Golden State Warriors PG CJ Watson. Williams was the best that they could do for the money that they had to spend. Williams is an experienced player who has learned how to take care of the basketball and even has a championship ring. On the flip side, he has bad knees, is 33 years old and didn’t play basketball last season. Even during the Heat’s run to the finals, he started to lose minutes to an aging Gary Payton who was acquired late in the season.That’s fine for a backup PG but it doesn’t sound like someone who’s going to take a starting job from an All Star.
I really like the way Bianchi ended his blog and completely agree with him.
"“Jason Williams nor any other backup point guard will create a controversy for the Magic.”“The only person capable of that is Jameer Nelson himself.”"
I think that the only thing that would slow Nelson and create any sort of PG controversy would be if Nelson has not fully recovered from his injury or he becomes timid because of his injury. Although he did not perform up to his standards during the NBA finals, he did not look timid. Obviously, the injury was still affecting him and his level of play, but he did not look scared.
As long as Jameer Nelson has fully recovered from his shoulder injury (an all indications are that he has), he will be the starting PG and there will be no PG controversy created by Jason Williams or Anthony Johnson, nor would there have been even if the Magic had acquired CJ Watson. These ongoing PG controversies involving Nelson look like they are fabricated by the media because there is nothing else for them to talk about.
For the last time, there is no PG controversy.
(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger.Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily. .)