With the recent acquisition of veteran point guard Jameer Nelson from the Chicago Bulls, the 36-year-old is now reunited on the same team with Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy. Nelson just celebrated his birthday on Friday and is getting up there in age, but according to a tweet on Saturday from Pistons beat writer James Edwards III of The Athletic, the guard has no intentions to retire once the 2017-18 NBA season is over.
Despite the fact that it's been nearly six years that Nelson and Van Gundy were on the same team back in their days with the Orlando Magic, the veteran guard says that not much has changed about his coach since then.
Via an article published on Saturday by Pistons.com web editor Keith Langlois:
“Still the same Stan,” Nelson said of Van Gundy with a grin. “He’s saying the same things about the same people in the same positions. He’s a hell of a coach. His preparation is, to me, probably the best I’ve seen. Not taking away from anybody else, but he’s a workhorse. It shows in his effort to get guys ready to play.”
Although Nelson did not see any action off the bench during the Pistons' 108-95 loss to the L.A. Clippers on Friday night, he is committed to any role that he is given in coach Van Gundy's lineup going forward.
“I don’t have any expectations,” Nelson said, “other than come in and work every day, try to help the team get better, try to help Stan with the guys and other coaches with the team. Just mentorship and leadership. But if he puts me in the game, I’m going to play. If not, I’m going to be the best teammate like I’ve always been.”
Nelson will probably work his way into Van Gundy's rotation sooner than later by providing depth at the point guard position. Pistons starting point guard Reggie Jackson is still recovering from a badly sprained right ankle he suffered in late December and is not expected back until early March.