Denton: Magic-Thunder Notes
By John Denton
November 18, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Eleven-year NBA veteran Jason Williams came out of retirement to serve as Jameer Nelson’s back-up point guard for the Orlando Magic, but is thrust into a role now where he’ll likely play 30 minutes a game.
Nelson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Wednesday to repair torn meniscus and is expected to miss four to six weeks, a span that could be as few as 13 games or as many as 19 games.
Williams, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Wednesday, said the change in roles won’t force him to change the way he plays the game. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has been highly complementary of Williams’ ability to push the ball in transition and he’s happy that the veteran has put up an effort to shore up his defensive liabilities.
``Just because Jameer is hurt and I’m going to get more minutes, I’m not going to change my game,’’ Williams said. ``I’m still going to do what I do. I approach it no different than if Jameer was here. I just go out and do my job and try to get guys shots, defend and knock down open shots.’’
Williams said there is some pressure to make sure there is no drop-off with the Magic, a team that he confidently says has what it takes to win a championship this season. Williams won a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006, and he said this Magic team is potentially better.
``I’ve said from Day One that this team has a lot more talent than the championship team that I played on in ’06,’’ Williams said. ``But we still have to go play the games and do things the right way.’’
ATTACKING CARTER: Van Gundy hinted that he will likely use star shooting guard Vince Carter some at point guard late in games, especially in pick-and-roll sets.
Van Gundy feels that Carter, who was acquired in a June trade with the New Jersey Nets, has tried to fit in with his new teammates and that has sapped him of some of his aggressiveness. Van Gundy wants Carter to play in attack mode more often, whether that means more shooting or at least driving to the hoop to set up others. Van Gundy is even hoping that some time at point guard might spark Carter to think of himself as more of a playmaker.
``He can play some point, but we just need Vince to be more aggressive,’’ Van Gundy said. ``I think he’s tried to make sure he’s not shooting too much at times and tried to just fit in.
``I think he can go to the basket more and he’s certainly capable of getting by anybody,’’ Van Gundy said. ``When guys go under screens we want him pulling up and taking that shot. When guys get up into him, we want Vince driving and when a second man comes over we want him to make the right play with the pass. But Vince doesn’t need me to tell him how to play. Maybe a silver lining in the Jameer (injury) is that it helps us get Vince more into an attacking mode when he has the ball in his hands.’’
ETC: Veteran point guard Antonio Daniels, whose agent Tony Dutt also represents Magic standouts Rashard Lewis and Brandon Bass, is out of the league and has talked with Orlando about possibly filling in for the injured Nelson. But the Magic have little interest at this time. With a payroll of $80.5 million – one that will have the Magic paying $11 million in tax penalties – Orlando plans on carrying just 13 players on its roster. … Magic reserve guard Anthony Johnson playfully bit on his jersey Wednesday as he was peppered with questions about his anger over being pushed out of the Magic’s rotation. Johnson appeared in 80 games last season, but did not play in the Finals when Nelson returned from a shoulder injury. And prior to Wednesday night, Johnson had played in just four games this season. He tried to stay diplomatic when asked about his anger over not playing. Said Johnson: ``I guess coach has a vision for this team and up to this point it didn’t include me getting much playing time. He’s the coach and has a job to do and he’ll play the guys he feel will help him win. I’ve just found myself on the outside of that bubble.’’ … Apopka native Zack Greinke, who was named the American League’s Cy Young award winner on Tuesday, attended Wednesday’s game.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonNovember 18, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Eleven-year NBA veteran Jason Williams came out of retirement to serve as Jameer Nelson’s back-up point guard for the Orlando Magic, but is thrust into a role now where he’ll likely play 30 minutes a game.
Nelson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Wednesday to repair torn meniscus and is expected to miss four to six weeks, a span that could be as few as 13 games or as many as 19 games.
Williams, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Wednesday, said the change in roles won’t force him to change the way he plays the game. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has been highly complementary of Williams’ ability to push the ball in transition and he’s happy that the veteran has put up an effort to shore up his defensive liabilities.
``Just because Jameer is hurt and I’m going to get more minutes, I’m not going to change my game,’’ Williams said. ``I’m still going to do what I do. I approach it no different than if Jameer was here. I just go out and do my job and try to get guys shots, defend and knock down open shots.’’
Williams said there is some pressure to make sure there is no drop-off with the Magic, a team that he confidently says has what it takes to win a championship this season. Williams won a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006, and he said this Magic team is potentially better.
``I’ve said from Day One that this team has a lot more talent than the championship team that I played on in ’06,’’ Williams said. ``But we still have to go play the games and do things the right way.’’
ATTACKING CARTER: Van Gundy hinted that he will likely use star shooting guard Vince Carter some at point guard late in games, especially in pick-and-roll sets.
Van Gundy feels that Carter, who was acquired in a June trade with the New Jersey Nets, has tried to fit in with his new teammates and that has sapped him of some of his aggressiveness. Van Gundy wants Carter to play in attack mode more often, whether that means more shooting or at least driving to the hoop to set up others. Van Gundy is even hoping that some time at point guard might spark Carter to think of himself as more of a playmaker.
``He can play some point, but we just need Vince to be more aggressive,’’ Van Gundy said. ``I think he’s tried to make sure he’s not shooting too much at times and tried to just fit in.
``I think he can go to the basket more and he’s certainly capable of getting by anybody,’’ Van Gundy said. ``When guys go under screens we want him pulling up and taking that shot. When guys get up into him, we want Vince driving and when a second man comes over we want him to make the right play with the pass. But Vince doesn’t need me to tell him how to play. Maybe a silver lining in the Jameer (injury) is that it helps us get Vince more into an attacking mode when he has the ball in his hands.’’
ETC: Veteran point guard Antonio Daniels, whose agent Tony Dutt also represents Magic standouts Rashard Lewis and Brandon Bass, is out of the league and has talked with Orlando about possibly filling in for the injured Nelson. But the Magic have little interest at this time. With a payroll of $80.5 million – one that will have the Magic paying $11 million in tax penalties – Orlando plans on carrying just 13 players on its roster. … Magic reserve guard Anthony Johnson playfully bit on his jersey Wednesday as he was peppered with questions about his anger over being pushed out of the Magic’s rotation. Johnson appeared in 80 games last season, but did not play in the Finals when Nelson returned from a shoulder injury. And prior to Wednesday night, Johnson had played in just four games this season. He tried to stay diplomatic when asked about his anger over not playing. Said Johnson: ``I guess coach has a vision for this team and up to this point it didn’t include me getting much playing time. He’s the coach and has a job to do and he’ll play the guys he feel will help him win. I’ve just found myself on the outside of that bubble.’’ … Apopka native Zack Greinke, who was named the American League’s Cy Young award winner on Tuesday, attended Wednesday’s game.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
