Professional Career
Nelson was selected 20th in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, and was subsequently traded to the Orlando Magic for a 2005 first-round draft pick. Though many speculated he would be a top 10 pick, he fell to number 20, and the Magic were able to acquire both Nelson and Dwight Howard in the same draft.
As a rookie, Nelson served as the primary backup to the Magic's All-Star point guard Steve Francis. Due to Nelson's impressive play, which earned him NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors and Rookie of the Year consideration, the Magic moved Francis to shooting guard to make room for Nelson to start at point guard. They still occasionally started Francis at point guard, and had Nelson come off the bench.
On February 22, 2006, the Magic dealt Steve Francis to the New York Knicks, paving the way for Nelson to become the long-term starting point guard. Nelson's play improved with the mid-season trade of Francis as he finished the season with averages of 14.6 points and 5 assists per game on 48.3% field goal shooting.
The following year, Nelson helped lead the Magic back into the postseason for the first time since 2003. He averaged 14.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game during the NBA playoffs, however the Magic were ultimately swept by the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round.
During the 2008 All-Star weekend Slam Dunk Contest, Nelson assisted teammate Dwight Howard on several of his dunks, including the infamous Superman dunk. That year, the Magic once again made the playoffs, defeating the Toronto Raptors in the first round before falling to the Pistons in the second round. He averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game through the playoffs.
Nelson set career highs in points, steals, and shooting percentages during the 2008–2009 NBA season. He, along with teammates Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis were selected to play in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game. However a torn labrum in Nelson's right shoulder, a potential season-ending injury, forced him to miss the game. Nelson was averaging 16.7 points per game and 5.4 assists at the time. The Magic made just their second-ever NBA Finals appearance that year, and fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
Nelson and the Magic again surged into the playoffs the following season, sweeping the Charlotte Bobcats and Atlanta Hawks before falling to the Boston Celtics in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Nelson averaged 19 points and 4.8 assists per game, and started all 14 of the Magic's playoff games.
On March 18, 2011, Nelson made a game winning buzzer beater against the Denver Nuggets. However, on April 10, 2011, Nelson's last-second three-pointer was ruled "no basket", and the Magic lost to the Chicago Bulls 102-99.
In free agent status, Nelson told the Orlando Sentinel on July 5, 2012, that he had reached an agreement with the Magic on a new contract. He did not reveal the length or terms of the deal. "Glad to say I've reached an agreement with the Magic... I'm blessed to have the best fans and a great organization supporting me!" Nelson tweeted.
Read more about this topic: Jameer Nelson
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