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September 2010

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Jun

3

2009 NBA Finals Preview: Alston v. Fisher

Filed Under Analysis/Commentary, Previews & Reviews, NBA

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Prior to tearing his right labrum on February 2nd, Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson was having a career season that resulted in an All-Star game appearance.

Nelson averaged 16.7 points per game in 42 games before the injury and had two big games against the Lakers.

In fact, Nelson led the Magic in scoring in both games against the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Nelson respectively scored 27 and 28 points during Orlando’s two-game sweep of Los Angeles in the regular season.

While Nelson hasn’t played in four months, it appears that he will give it a shot in the Finals after healing at a faster rate than expected, at least according to what his teammates are implicating.

If Nelson plays, it would be foolish to expect him to perform like the All-Star he was prior to his injury.

It would also make no sense for the Magic to start Nelson over Rafer Alston, who was acquired from Houston shortly after Nelson’s injury.

To Alston’s credit, he has done a good job of running the Magic in Nelson’s absence.

In the playoffs, he has been either hit or miss, brilliant at times and missing at other points (which is an accurate overview of his career for the most part).

In the first round, he scored in double digits in all six games against Philadelphia before being held under 10 points in the first four games against Boston.

Alston then picked up his scoring in the final three games against Boston.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, Alston was a major scoring factor at home and a nonentity while playing on the road in Cleveland.

The Magic will need him to be more consistent against the Lakers, which throws veteran Derek Fisher at the point.

A key figure in L.A.’s run to the Finals last season, Fisher is beginning to show his age as a player.

While still a gritty defender who can be a pest to the opposing ballhandler, Fisher has only scored in double digits in five playoff games this year.

Fisher has really struggled with his jump shot. Usually a dangerous weapon, Fisher’s jumper has looked off at times as the veteran has struggled with his release point.

While Fisher is on the downside of his career, his value as a defender can’t be dimished.

Edge: Slightly to Fisher and LA when matched up against Alston (simply due to experience and defensive presence). But with Nelson likely returning, Orlando now has two very capable point guards in the series. Sure Nelson is a wild card who will be rusty, but if he plays, the edge swings in favor of Orlando, which also has Anthony Johnson in reserve.

As Fisher’s offense has been very erratic in the playoffs, he’ll need to be at his defensive best, especially if the Magic throw out Alston and Nelson.

Expect Orlando Head Coach Stan Van Gundy to ease Nelson back into game action if he does play.

If Nelson is effective, he will make the Magic an even more dangerous team from the outside.

If he’s not effective, Nelson should at least give the Magic a bigger emotional lift (not that one is needed) and make the team that more motivated in the Finals.

Obviously, Nelson’s status and effectiveness could be one of the most important things to watch evolve in the Finals, or it may all be a bunch of hype when everything is said and done.

Whatever the case, this position battle has taken on much more importance with the possibility of Nelson playing.