Jameer Nelson: Orlando Magic Guard Has to Step Up for Team to Contend

It does not appear as though the Orlando Magic will be making a play for a premier point guard this season. And the two that they have, Jameer Nelson and Chris Duhon, are virtually untradeable as of the posting of this article.

The Magic have to roll with what they have, and the former all-star Nelson needs to step up his game if the Magic are going to be successful.

Jameer's season numbers are down in almost every statistical category. His 7.8 points per game are atrocious considering he’s a shoot-first point guard, and the points are not even what scares me the most about his production.

He has never been a master ball-distributor, and he is on pace with his career average of 4.9 assists per game. I would expect his assists to be higher considering his points are so much lower than average. That has not been the case.

The most alarming downward trend is in his turnovers.

He’s averaging 2.7 giveaways a game this year after averaging a career worst 2.6 last year. He had five turnovers in a near loss to the Portland Trailblazers, two of which were late in the game. Those turnovers enabled the Blazers to make the game closer than it needed to be, bringing them to within two points late in the game.

I don't expect Jameer to be someone he's not. However, he needs to cut down on the turnovers and handle the ball more efficiently, especially at critical times in the game.

To his credit, he was aggressive in the win hitting his first seven shots. The Magic need this production from him night in and night out if they are to continue with their early season success.

Step up Mighty Mouse, Superman needs you.