[新聞] Magic elated to get Nelson in 1st-round deal
From Orlando Sentinel
除了萬眾注目的Howard之外，這則新聞介紹了我們另外兩位新同學，
Nelson原本是樂透區邊緣的球員，卻因為這次選透高中生出頭天而一
路下滑，有外線有防守，傳球第一的控球後衛，在我們重建的陣容中
會有他的一蓆之地。至於是先發或是替補就得看接下來交易的情況。
至於Mr. Anderson，看來GM對他的評價還不錯。不過雖然會讓他參加
魔術隊的summer camp ，但回歐洲去再練一年可能才是他未來的路。
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Magic elated to get Nelson in 1st-round deal
When the Orlando front office saw the point guard falling,
the team swooped in.
By tim povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted June 25, 2004
------------------------------------------------------------
Jameer Nelson waited longer than he expected to hear his
name called in the NBA draft Thursday night.
He won't have to wait very long with the Orlando Magic.
Their desperation for a starting point guard may have ended.
The Magic, who took an untested high-school phenom with the
No. 1 pick in the draft, traded for the battle-tested Nelson,
who was selected 20th by the Denver Nuggets.
Nelson, 22, was the consensus National Player of the Year
from St. Joseph's, one of the few first-round draft picks
who completed four years of college basketball.
As a senior, he led St. Joe's through their amazing 27-0
regular season, a top ranking in the national polls and the
school's first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He
averaged 20.6 points and 5.3 rebounds.
"He's the most NBA ready kid in the draft, regardless of
position," said Magic General Manager John Weisbrod. "He's
such a high character kid. He's ready to contribute. It's
like we landed two lottery picks in this draft."
To land Nelson, the Magic traded a future conditional
first-round pick, obtained from the Washington Wizards in
2002 in the trade of Brendan Haywood. It might not be until
2007 before the pick is moved to Denver.
In the second round, the Magic took Brazilian Anderson
Varejao (6-10, 230), a high-energy forward who played last
season in Spain. Weisbrod, though, said it's likely that
Varejao will come to summer camp with the Magic, but he may
return to play next season in Europe.
The Magic traded their other second-round pick (36) to
Memphis for cash considerations.
Although it may take Howard time to get acclimated to the
NBA, Nelson could become an immediate contributor -- even a
starter according to Weisbrod. His experience will be vital,
depending upon the trade of Tracy McGrady and who comes in
return.
The Magic struggled last season at point guard, failing to
recover after letting Darrell Armstrong depart as a free
agent in 2003. Tyronn Lue became the starter, but he failed
to replace the leadership of Armstrong.
Although 19 teams passed him by in the draft, the Magic
pounced on the pick when he slipped that far in the draft.
"We had him projected so much higher," said Magic Coach
Johnny Davis. "That's why we were so excited to get him."
Although Nelson was disappointed how far he fell in the
draft, he didn't show the frustration while he was waiting
for his name to be called.
"This is going to be a challenge for me, but I'm ready for
challenges," Nelson said. "I'm going to play with a chip on
my shoulder. I belong in the NBA, and the Magic needed me.
That's why they took me, and I'm excited about that."
--
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※ 編輯: Choirboy 來自: 140.112.41.75 (06/25 17:26)
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