Alston or Nelson – Who Should Start?

After the Game 1 loss, the talk in Orlando is focusing on many issues. One popular issue is the starting point guard. Although Rafer Alston has played better than expected in the 2009 NBA playoffs, Jameer Nelson was named to the All-Star team this year for the Eastern Conference. Now that Nelson is healthy, should he getting his starting job back or should Alston continue to start?

Rafer Alston: Should he continue to start? (Image: Zuma Press)

So far in the playoffs, Alston is averaging 12.3 points, 4.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 32.5 minutes per game. He’s shooting 37.7% from the field, 33.7% from beyond the three-point arc and 75% at the free throw line. Although his shooting isn’t too impressive, he’s already made a number of big shots.

In Nelson’s return during Game 1, he scored six points, handed out four assists and grabbed two rebounds. He connected on 3-of-9 shots from the field. During the regular season, prior to hurting his shoulder, Nelson was averaging 16.7 points, 5.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. His shooting was off the charts — 50.3% from the field, 45.3% on three-pointers and 88.7% at the charity stripe.

In Game 2, I think Stan Van Gundy should stick with Alston. Orlando needs to recapture the magic (no pun intended) that allowed them to make it this far. Nelson is a very good player but four months of rust will take some time to overcome.

Now if the Magic lose in convincing fashion again in Game 2, a change could be in order come Game 3.