Howard says Nelson is key to potent Magic offense

What's the difference in the Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard was asked, when Jameer Nelson is at full strength?

"We score a lot more points," said Howard, the Magic's All-Star center.

No, seriously; Nelson, the former Saint Joseph's All-America, missed a chunk of last season with shoulder surgery, then missed 16 games earlier this season with knee surgery.

"When Jameer is attacking, being aggressive, we're a much better team," Howard said last night before Orlando routed the 76ers, 126-105, at the Wachovia Center. "[Opponents] have got to worry about him a little more . . . Me and him are the leaders on the team. We have to be consistent for us to be good."

Nelson knew he needed time to regain his rhythm and the strength in his leg, and understood the degree of difficulty while playing significant minutes.

"I think I'm back right now," said Nelson, who had 22 points, 10 assists and one turnover. He shot 8-for-11, including 2-for-4 from three-point range. "I'm just trying to get better every day. I'm not saying I'm playing my best basketball right now, but I'm playing pretty well, and I think I can play better . . . attacking, driving, creating problems for other teams looking for my shot or somebody else's shot, just trying to get everybody involved.

"I knew it'd take longer because I'm playing on it. Some say I'm a quick healer. Some say I shouldn't have played, but I was healthy enough to play. I wanted to give the team what I had."

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Nelson "looks healthier, looks quicker, looks stronger, in better shape."

"I think all of that has helped him," he added. "He's attacking a lot more. He's playing very well right now. He always tried to attack. I think now he's able to do it more effectively. He's getting in the paint now, playing out of a lot of pick-and-rolls, shooting the ball. Everything's coming together for him."

The Philadelphia area is still "home" for Nelson; he refers to Orlando as "my season home." But coming home now means seeing his college team struggling mightily. Saint Joe's is 9-19 overall and, at 3-11 in the Atlantic 10, is in peril of not qualifying for the conference tournament. For Nelson, that's hard to swallow.

"It's very tough," he said. "Every time I look at the highlights on ESPN, it's for the wrong reason."

However, he thinks it's merely a cyclical situation.

"When we had my senior year [going to the Final Eight in 2004], everybody banked on getting recruits, doing certain things," he said. "[There is] a new arena. I thought that would bring more recruits, but it hasn't so far.

"We've got to rebuild and weather the storm, I guess." *