Nelson starting against Magic...

[jpotter33]

According to Blakely, Stevens has Nelson starting at the point guard position tonight for the C's.

Is this a legitimate move that Brad thinks might work best for us, or is this "nice-guy" Brad just letting Nelson start against his former team?

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this...

[LarBrd33]

wut

[jpotter33]

wut

Yep, supposedly he is inserting Jameer to replace Smart. The rest of the starters are the same.

[sed522002]

I'm trying to see the purpose of having him starting..showcasing??

[LarBrd33]

I'm trying to see the purpose of having him starting..showcasing??

there's no rational explanation beyond showcasing... but does Jameer nelson really need to be showcased?  He just spent a long chunk of time starting for the Mavs and people should have a really good idea of what he can and can't do at this point. 

Nelson isn't going to last past the trade deadline.  Either we move him our buy him out.  Maybe it's just a way of keeping drama minimal.  Jameer despite being garbage is a veteran starter in this league.  It ruffles less feathers starting him over Smart than it does starting Smart over Jameer.  Smart still has to pay his dues here.  All things considered, Smart is kind of having a crap season when you think about it.  Kind of insulting to Jameer to be coming off the bench for such a unproven rookie. 

Nelson starting seems more like a lockerroom decision than a basketball decision.

[PickNRoll]

Chemistry play?  Nelson is known as a leader.  Smart has yet to earn it.  It's a show of respect to the old vet?  I'm reaching here...

In a pure basketball sense, Nelson probably gives you just as good a chance to win as Smart does.  If this was the plan, I wouldn't have started Smart in the last game.

[jpotter33]

I'm trying to see the purpose of having him starting..showcasing??

Has to be. You would think that Turner would replace Smart in the starting lineup. I don't know. It does almost feel like Stevens is just letting Jameer start against his former team. Undercover tanking move?

[Tr1boy]

horse*****

bring back Rondo instead. That's how much i dislike Nelson

[TheFlex]

Not shocked by this at all.

[jpotter33]

Maybe he wants Turner and Smart together in the second unit?

[aingeforthree]

Good move.  Smart has excelled being 6th-8th off the bench.  More comfortable.

[Who]

Sounds like Stevens doesn't think Smart is ready to start yet. That he is better off learning from a bench role for now until he is further along in his development.

I expect that Smart will win-over Stevens and take starting job before season is over.

[csfansince60s]

Class, deferential move by Stevens. Respect for a vet.

[LarBrd33]

Maybe he wants Turner and Smart together in the second unit?

Kind of a bummer, because I hoped at the very least moving Rondo would clear up some of the guard jam we had going here.  I want to see some minutes thrown to Young, for example.   Not going to happen if we have to play Jameer minutes.

But this is temporary.  No way is Jameer still on this team next year. 

[mr. dee]

horse*****

bring back Rondo instead. That's how much i dislike Nelson

You reap what you sow.