Orlando Magic WiretapMagic Sign Nelson To Multi-Year Deal
“Jameer (Nelson) is a key part of our foundation,” said Smith. “He is a tremendous leader, both on and off the court, and he will continue to improve as we strive to reach our ultimate goal. We look forward to watching Jameer develop in a Magic uniform for many years to come.” Nelson (6’, 190, 2/9/82) has played in 218 regular games during his NBA career, all with Orlando, averaging 11.9 ppg., 4.0 apg., 2.8 rpg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 26.3 minpg. He also appeared in four playoff games last season, averaging 14.3 ppg., 3.3 apg. and 3.0 rpg. in 32.3 minpg. Originally selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by Denver, Nelson was acquired by the Magic on draft night (Jun. 24, 2004) in exchange for a future first round draft pick. Nelson was named to the 2004-05 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Nelson spent four seasons at Saint Joseph’s University, averaging 16.8 ppg., 5.7 apg., 4.6 rpg. and 2.05 stlpg. in 125 career games. He left as the school’s all-time leader in points (2,094), assists (713) and steals (256). Following his senior season (2003-04), Nelson was the consensus National Player of the Year, earning the Associated Press, Naismith, Rupp, Robertson and Chevrolet Player of the Year awards. He also shared the NABC top player award with Connecticut’s Emeka Okafor. In addition, Nelson was selected as a unanimous First Team All-America by the Associated Press, named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and captured the Francis Pomeroy Naismith Award, signifying the top player in the country 6-feet and under. Nelson had his jersey number 14 retired by the Hawks on April 23, 2004. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Magic, Nelson Reach Agreement On Extension
Nelson had until midnight Wednesday to get an extension signed or he would have become a restricted free agent next summer. Fearing that he might have had to play this season without a contract extension, Nelson revealed recently that he had taken out an insurance policy to cover him in case of a career-threatening injury. The exact specifics of the deal were unknown, but the Magic had been offering Nelson a five-year, $30 million deal. Nelson, 25, had hoped to get a contract similar to the $42 million pact that point guard Devin Harris signed with the Dallas Mavericks. It is believed that the two sides met somewhere in the middle. ``I’m a starting point guard. I need starting point guard money,’’ Nelson said on Monday, a day before the deal was finalized. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Magic's Bogans Captures Starting Spot Over Redick
The 6-foot-5 guard has done everything Stan Van Gundy has asked of him, whether it's guarding the likes of LeBron James, Joe Johnson and Jason Richardson or knocking down open shots. Bogans shot a stellar 54.3% from the floor this preseason while also making a staggering 13 of 22 tries (59.1 percent) from three-point range. So Bogans has overcome the early barbs from Van Gundy, and these days there's nothing but praise for arguably the Magic's grittiest player. "He's our best perimeter defender; there's not much question about that," Van Gundy said. "He's a very good rebounder on a team that needs rebounding. And he's shot the ball unbelievably. He's done everything we could have hoped for. He's gotten himself in great shape, and he's playing well." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Magic Oct 2007 Archive
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