Mississauga, ON’s Andrew Nicholson is again facing adversity early in his NBA career.
Since graduating from St. Bonaventure and being selected 19th overall by Orlando in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Magic have failed to win more then 23 games. The Magic enter Tuesday’s tilt versus Toronto with a winning percentage of .350 under head coach Jacque Vaughan in his third season at the helm. Vaughan has won 45 games and lost 126 since being appointed head coach ahead of the 2012-2013 season.
Nicholson’s development with the Magic organization has been a roller coaster.
In his rookie campaign that saw Orlando win 20 games, Nicholson started 28 of 75 games he played and averaged 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.
During an off-season between his rookie and sophomore season Nicholson showed significant strides playing with Team Canada at the 2013 FIBA Americas— averaging nearly 16 points per game, shooting 53% from the field and 45% from behind the arc. Positive play that parlayed into confidence entering season number two.
First game of the 2013-14 season Nicholson registered 18 points in 19 minutes versus the Indiana Pacers. From that point on it has went all down hill in Florida. Nicholson endured a sophomore slump and the Magic only won a measly 23 games and Nicholson only started 5 games. His numbers dwindled to 5.7 points per game in only 15 minutes a match.
Then came an opportunity to regain form with Team Canada last summer travelling through Europe, following solid showings for Canada optimism set in again entering his third season. Reflected by a Magic pre-season game that Nicholson dropped 23 points on 10-of-19 shooting during a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Many back home figured he had finally figured it out, so did Andrew,
“I have pretty good momentum right now,” Nicholson said after that Sixer’s game. “I’m just playing with confidence, just playing team basketball. And my teammates are finding me in the right spots, so everything’s going well so far.”
Seven games into 2014-15 and the Magic are 2-5. Nicholson has saw a grand total of seven minutes and has been a DNP in 5-of-7 fixtures.
Speaking to his agent Mark Bartelstein Tuesday morning, his representative reassured to Hoops Hype Canada Nicholson is still an NBA player and that it’s too early in his career to draw any conclusions,
“Andrew certainly want’s to play, I want him to play desperately, he’s going to be a terrific player here in the NBA,” Bartelstein said. “Right now things are not working out the way we had hoped in Orlando and Rob Hennigan (Magic GM) and I are talking all the time and evaluating things. We will sort of take it one day at a time right now.”
According to the NBA’s official statistics database, during his rookie year, Nicholson took 63 percent of his shot attempts from within 15 feet of the hoop.
In his second season, his percentage of shot attempts from within 15 feet declined to 44 percent.
For every NBA player this is their profession and most important to each NBA star is an opportunity to play, something stripped of the soon to be 25 year old Mississauga, ON native Nicholson.
Is it because he was venturing to much to the perimeter for his shot selection or perhaps there is friction with head coach Jacque Vaughan? Bartelstein declined to speak about particulars but did admit he is on top of the situation.
“Rob and I talk all the time, he understands the way we feel about it. Andrew is a wonderful person as you know, great team mate and is going to continue to do things the right way and work hard every day.” Bartelstein added. “Rob and I are going to continue to talk and monitor the situation and see if we can find the best solution for both Andrew and the Magic.”
As for Nicholson’s tenure with Canada in the off-season Bartelstein no it has paid dividends for the Mississauga, ON talent,
“No question, I thought it was really productive. It was great and I think it got his confidence back where it needed to be, got him scoring the ball because he is a scorer as we all know. Summer’s with Canada are terrific for him. He really enjoyed the experience and now he wants to translate that success to the NBA.”
There you have it, do not count out Andrew Nicholson. Largest component missing from his game right now is opportunity. Lets hope that things shake out with Orlando and if not somewhere else in the association. Playing tonight versus Toronto about 25 minutes from where Nicholson grew up would be a good place to be given that chance. For a Canadian talent that is not a man of many words let me say it for him, Andrew deserves better. Free Andrew Nicholson!
