PROTECT THE PAINT

If you read the post written earlier this week  you will find  stated that Rafer Alston needed to be deemed “the man” in order for Orlando to have a chance to win.  Not only was this analysis correct, but Alston’s performance was the difference maker Orlando needed to be victorious in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Rafer: Big minutes equal big results for Orlando. (AP)

Alston shot 8-12 from the field, also going 3-4 from the free throw line, playing a series high 31:11 minutes, scoring 20 points. It was the game Orlando needed from their well traveled “replacement” point guard.  Alston’s play allowed Orlando’s key players to play loose, and created nightmares for the Los Angeles Lakers defensively.

Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis their best shooting performances, and it was their best cumulative game from them thus far. Jameer Nelson should get comfortable, and enjoy the view from the bench. If this blogger could have things his way, that is exactly where Nelson would be  for the duration of this series.

My previous entry also stated you need to go with who is hot. Imagine what Rafer Alston was thinking after finding out Jameer Nelson is going to step in and play big minutes in the NBA Finals. Speaking from a player’s perspective a players confidence can dwindle and their game implode in such instances. Alston is the type of player that needs confidence instilled in him from his coach. Give him the backing,  and he will deliver for you.

Something definitely changed prior to the start of this game. Maybe Stan Van Gundy decided he will ride the hot hand, whom is be the player deserving the big minutes. For the sake of the Orlando Magic, they should shelve the Jameer Nelson experiment.

Speaking as a basketball purist, it would be nice to see Anthony Johnson touch the floor during the finals. He played hard defense and helped his team  during Round 1, the Easter Conference Semi Finals, and the Eastern Conference Finals far more than Jameer Nelson did.

Let the savvy veteran get some run!  He has more than earned it.

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