I wonder if SVG has selective amnesia. He must. I also wonder if Van Gundy’s ailment is leading Rafer Alston to develop a litany of psychological disorders. I can picture him now, prone on his couch, sobbing into a pint of Peanut Butter Brittle, lamenting his erratic playing time. He has a right to be distraught.

Alston was one of the best players on the court for either team in Game 3. Just look at his line: 36min. 8-12FG, 1-1 3PT, 3-4FT, 20points, 4assists. His ability to penetrate, find open shooters, but more importantly, finish in the paint, were pivotal in the Magic victory.

So how is he rewarded in Game 4? Playing time is cut by ten minutes, and he idles on the bench for nearly the entire 4th quarter, and all of overtime.  He watches as Derrick Fisher buries two dagger 3’s at the opposing point guard spot, and the Lakers steal a victory and most likely the series. JAMEER NELSON!! FORCE DERRICK FISHER TO DRIVE!! YOU ARE UP 3 WITH 11 SECONDS TO PLAY!!

I don’t want to rag on Jameer, but his presence has completely ruined this series for me. The man is clearly rusty. He has been out since early February. That’s four months of missed game time, and he wants to scrape the rust off during the NBA Finals??  The task is nearly impossible, and wholly unfair to a team which gelled without him while ousting Boston in 7, and Cleveland in 6 to get to this point.

I will give Nelson his credit. In Game 4 he showed an ability to set up Dwight Howard which the other Magic point guards do not possess. He was able to find Howard off dribble penetration, and a quick entry pass late in the 4th quarter, which resulted in buckets. The fact is though, the Magic don’t need Dwight Howard to get off  in order to win this series. They win games when their perimeter game is clicking; when everyone on the floor but Howard is a legitmate threat to score. Rafer Alston possesses this quality. Right now, Jameer Nelson does not.

I feel weird writing this, but I even FEEL BAD FOR ANTHONY JOHNSON. Yes, Beetlejuice himself.  His steady hand in a reserve roll was instrumental in the Magic’s previous three series. In 15 MPG this playoff, Johnson has averaged 4.3PPG, 2.1APG, and only .6TO.   Nelson, in his 19MPG in the Finals has averaged; 3.5PPG, 2.5APG, and 1.5 TO. The numbers do not lie, and Johnson has not removed his warmups since the series began.

The fact is, when healthy, Jameer Nelson is an asset to this team. Next season, the Magic will benefit from his presence, and will again be legitimate Finals contenders. But in this series, he is a detriment to his team. I am convinced that if we were watching the Magic lineup which knocked off the defending champs, and toppled the Lebron’s, we would be in for a exponentially more competitive series.