Playing for an unfamiliar team, Jameer Nelson still found himself in familiar territory Tuesday night.
He started a game at Amway Center, in the city where he played his first 10 NBA seasons.
Coach Brad Stevens placed Nelson in the Boston Celtics’ starting lineup against Nelson’s old team, the Orlando Magic. Stevens said he made the decision because he didn’t want the three new players who arrived in the Rajon Rondo trade to play simultaneously Tuesday.
“I just felt like there’s too much unknown, both from them and with me, just about how everybody fits together,” Stevens said.
Nelson received a loud cheer, but not a standing ovation, when he was introduced as a starter.
Magic officials showed a tribute video to Nelson during a stoppage in play with 6:47 to go in the first quarter. Set to the Skylar Grey song “Coming Home,” it was the same video the Magic showed when Nelson returned for an Oct. 24 preseason game as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
Nelson didn’t watch the video during the preseason game.
“The first time, I couldn’t do it because the coach was drawing up a play,” Nelson said. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t really know whether I should leave the huddle or should I just look at the play. So I kind of froze.”
This time, Stevens drew up a play for Nelson, and Nelson took periodic looks at the screen.
He also acknowledged the fans when they cheered him afterwards.
Magic big man Kyle O’Quinn said he watched the tribute video for Nelson “a good 20” times after the preseason game.
Nelson meant a lot to O’Quinn and to other young players on the Magic’s roster.
“He played a big part in my early NBA life and I’m sure a lot of others’,” O’Quinn said
“I don’t want to say it was an instant bond, but I guess that he saw that I needed help, and he helped me out, just like a true vet should.”
O’Quinn saw some photos of Nelson playing in his first game in a Celtics uniform and did a double-take.
It was that weird to see Nelson in Celtics green and wearing 28 on his jersey instead of 14.
The 14 of Celtics great Bob Cousy was retired in 1963, preventing Nelson from wearing the number.
“My number, obviously, is 14, and my son, his number is 28,” Nelson explained. “He always said he’s going to be two times better than me, so he wears 28. Twenty-eight was available, so I picked it.”
Jameer Nelson Jr. is 13 years old now.
“He’s probably about the same age as some of the guys on my team,” Jameer Sr. joked.
Making progress
Magic rookie forward Aaron Gordon appears to be making progress as he continues to heal from his Nov. 21 surgery to insert a screw into the fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot.
Gordon no longer is wearing a walking boot to protect his foot, which is a positive sign for Gordon and the Magic.
Team officials expect Gordon to return this season barring an unforeseen setback.
Gordon is expected to be examined in the next week or two by Robert B. Anderson, the Charlotte, N.C.-based surgeon who performed the surgery and a similar surgery on Kevin Durant. If Anderson’s exam shows that Gordon’s foot has healed well, Gordon will be permitted to ramp up his rehabilitation regimen and begin basketball activities.
No added motivation necessary
The Magic passed on selecting Oklahoma State point guard Marcus Smart with their first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. After Orlando chose Gordon fourth, the Celtics picked Smart sixth.
Smart was asked whether he’d derive extra motivation from the Magic’s decision.
“No,” Smart answered. “You’ve got some players that that’s what it takes to get them motivated. But that’s not what I use to motivate myself. I stay motivated every day. I don’t pay much attention to that.”
Lineup consistency
Coach Jacque Vaughn employed a starting lineup of Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, O’Quinn and Nikola Vucevic for the second game in a row, and Vaughn said he’d give the quintet time to acclimate to each other and develop.
“I usually am not a guy that I rush to judgment, and I give guys time and an ability for things to kind of show themselves,” Vaughn said. “I think that usually happens over time, just like Elfrid not starting for 30 games for us.”
Stevens was asked how the Magic’s new lineup would impact the game.
“There’s a lot of speed at the 1 and the 2,” he answered, referring to Payton and Oladipo. “Those two are athletes — big-time athletes. And Elfrid Payton gave us fits last game.”
Accepting change
Channing Frye, who had started 28 consecutive games until Vaughn made the lineup change, indicated he’s accepted Vaughn’s decision.
“Whatever works for the team,” Frye said before tipoff. “We’re 10-20, so, hey, it’s a change that might be good. Whatever is best for the team. It’s his team, and I respect his wishes, so I’m going to come out here and do the best I can.”
Helping out
The Magic had Monday off, but Harris found a way to keep busy.
Harris bought gift cards for 14 of his mentees at a pair of local schools, and he bought and delivered gifts to two local families. He also took a pair of families on a shopping spree to a local Target.
jrobbins@orlandosentinel.com. Read his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/magicblog and follow him on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins.
