Retrospective: Where does Elfrid Payton rank in All-time Magic point guards?
5) Jameer Nelson
Jammer Nelson absolutely maximized every bit of his talent as a NBA player, and, given his diminutive stature and lack of overwhelming speed, he impacted games as a scoring point guard.
Nelson did not post extremely high assist numbers, but that is largely a product of the fact his passes to Dwight Howard were either off the backboard (“shots”) varieties or Howard simply was hacked and sent to the line, negating Nelson’s potential assist numbers. His assist numbers greatly increased when the Magic relied on him more to dominate the ball and make plays for teammates after Howard left.
Numbers don’t tell the entire story. He posted a win share equivalent to Nate McMillan, Vinnie Johnson, Spud Webb and Aaron McKie. Superficially at least, Nelson is up there with some of the great role players of all time.
While Nelson ostensibly was a star of the Magic’s Finals team, he really only put together one All-Star caliber season, and it was cut short, as referenced in the Alston slide.
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Nelson averaged double-figure scoring for the Magic in nine consecutive seasons, the best of which came in the 2013 season after his running mate Dwight Howard left the scene.
He averaged career highs of 14.7 points and 7.4 assists per game, but has seen little success since leaving the Magic.
There is a strong sentiment among fans that he should be brought back to finish his career in Central Florida. It is not altogether out of the question that it happens, either.
Next: 4. Steve Francis