Nelson vows to disprove doubters

ORLANDO, Fla. — Jameer Nelson proved doubters wrong in college, and promises to do so again with the Orlando Magic.

Nelson, the 5-foot-11 point guard from St. Joseph's who won virtually every college player of the year award last season, was selected 20th pick in last week's NBA draft. That put a chip on his shoulder, "and it's not going away."

"I have always been overlooked because people say I'm too small, but what they don't understand is that I'm getting the job done," Nelson said. "Don't tell me somebody is better than me just because the guy is 6-2. If I can do the same things he can or a guy that's 6-4, 6-5, what is the difference?"

Nelson led St. Joseph's to a 27-0 regular season and 30-2 overall record a year ago, averaging 20.6 points and 5.3 assists. He was drafted by Denver, which shipped his rights to Orlando for a future first-round pick.

Some had projected Nelson to be a lottery pick, and the snub is going to serve as fuel, Nelson said.

"It will be with me throughout my career," Nelson said. "But it's going to be a blessing in disguise because obviously I'm wanted down here in Orlando. I'm needed, and they want me here."

The Magic don't seem to mind that Nelson arrived a little angry.

"He definitely has a hatchet to bury," Magic general manager John Weisbrod said. "I think he certainly relishes the challenge. It would be exciting to see him anxious to stick it to people."

Weisbrod said the Magic started working on the deal that eventually landed Nelson shortly after they selected high schooler Dwight Howard with the No. 1 overall pick.

"I asked our guys what one player will make the biggest immediate impact on the NBA, and they all felt strongly that Jameer was at the top of that list," Weisbrod said. "That was a pretty compelling reason to do what we did."

Weisbrod said Monday he's had no new discussions with Houston on a possible trade that may send two-time scoring champion Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard and Tyronn Lue to the Rockets for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato.

Weisbrod indicated that Francis could visit Orlando in the coming days.

"We didn't ask him to come to town," Weisbrod said. "But if he wants to, we're certainly happy to sit down and talk to him."