John Denton discussed Jameer Nelson’s spectacular performance in Sunday afternoon’s win over Toronto.
"“That is probably the best game I’ve had since the surgery,” said Nelson, whose Magic (3-0) face the Detroit Pistons (1-2) tonight at The Palace. “It was just me being aggressive, being who I am and playing the way I know how to play.”There was some mild concern about Nelson’s ability to do that again after a Finals in which he shot just 35 percent from the floor and played hesitantly. And Magic coach Stan Van Gundy chided him early in the preseason for playing too unselfishly in an attempt to get the ball in the hands of all of Orlando’s scoring weapons. Point blank, Van Gundy told his point guard that the offense only functions at its peak when Nelson is in all-out attack mode.“I think he’s the same player now that he was before the injury,’’ Van Gundy said last week. “He got the rust off and he’s attacking the same way he did before (the injury). That’s good to see again.’"
Click here for the full story.
David Aldridge of NBA.com also had a nice article about Nelson’s comeback from surgery and you can find that here.
Dwight Howard has updated his official blog and he is excited about Orlando’s 3-0 start.
You can find that here.
Dwight Howard made the Raptors pay for fouling him, going 14-of-16 from the free throw line. Read more on that and see other notes from the Magic here.
Ryan Anderson has been excellent stepping in for the suspended Rashard Lewis, averaging 17.3 points per game, but what will Head Coach Stan Van Gundy do with Anderson when Lewis returns?
"“It’s something we’re going to have to deal with, no question,” Van Gundy said. “But it’s a good problem for a coach to have: Too many good players. It’s better than the other way around.”"
See the full story from Brian Schmitz here.
Bleacher Report takes a look at the NBA’s best trios, plus one. They rank the Magic second behind the Lakers’ trio, plus one of Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
"2. Orlando MagicThe Trio- Jameer Nelson, Vince Carter, Dwight HowardThe Magic are pretty much the most deadliest team in the league this season. With a healthy Jameer Nelson back in the lineup you can expect the All-Star to put up solid numbers all across the board.Vince Carter returns to his hometown and is more determined than ever to grab his first ever championship ring. At the age of 32, VC is prepared to bring back his high-flying days and shock the world with his extremely underrated abilities.Dwight Howard is destined for his second Defensive Player of the Year award this season if he can remain durable (which he has throughout his career thus far). With two true power-forwards on his squad, Howard will finally get some help in the paint, but it’s not like he needed any assistance anyway.Plus One- Rashard LewisLewis stepped up during the postseason and helped bring Orlando to the NBA Finals. This season he starts the year on the bench for the first 10 games due to suspension.Once he makes his season debut he will undoubtedly contribute in bunches to this successful and upcoming Magic team."
Click here to see the rest of the rankings.
Richard Hamilton will be sitting out tonight’s game against Orlando because of an ankle injury.
Forward Mickael Pietrus is still out with the flu while Guard Vince Carter is going to attempt to play.
(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger and a contributor at NFL Mocks Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)