From the Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-mside1706dec17,0,6870065.story?coll=orl-magicDiener gets in on actionTravis Diener scores 11 points for the banged-up Magic.
Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted December 17, 2006
In one week, Travis Diener has gone from watching on the bench in street clothes to the finishing point guard.
Fortunes can change quickly in the NBA.
The groin injury to Jameer Nelson, coupled with the recent struggles of Carlos Arroyo, has provided Diener with his long-awaited opportunity for the Orlando Magic. And he is making the most of it.
After hardly playing as a rookie last season and then spending much of the first six weeks this season on the inactive list waiting for a roster spot to open, Diener suddenly has emerged as a valuable asset.
"For the first time, I'm starting to get major minutes, and every game now, it's feeling better and better,'' Diener said. "I've always been confident that I can play at this level. It's just a matter of getting the chance.''
Diener had 11 points and a team-high four assists and one turnover in 29 minutes, including all 12 minutes in the decisive fourth quarter of an 81-74 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
It was the second consecutive game that Diener -- and not Arroyo -- ran the Magic offense in the fourth quarter. In a loss to Charlotte on Thursday, Diener hit 5 of 6 shots (including 3 of 4 3-pointers) for 16 points in 29 minutes.
On Saturday, he made 4 of 6 shots and 2 of 4 from 3-point range. His long-range shooting ability already is gaining respect around the league.
"He was in a good flow out there,'' said Magic Coach Brian Hill, explaining his fourth-quarter lineup. "When he's out there, he improves the spacing and makes it harder for teams to double-team in the post. You can just see him getting more comfortable.''
Nelson, the team's starting point guard, has missed the past three games with the groin injury. He is questionable for Wednesday night's game against the New Orleans Hornets. If he doesn't return, Arroyo will remain the starter, but Diener likely will be the closer again.
Early this season, Arroyo was playing in reserve, but he was finishing games because he was playing better than Nelson. As the season progressed, though, Nelson was starting and finishing.
"Young guys just have to wait their turn,'' Diener said. "It's unfortunate that Jameer was hurt, but it gave me the chance. I've just tried to stay ready for when my name is called.''
Diener joined the Magic as a second-round draft pick from Marquette, considered a deadly long-distance shooter. He was Marquette's all-time leader in 3-pointers made (284) and third on its all-time scoring list (1,691 points), but many NBA teams considered him too small at 6 feet 1 to defend capably in the NBA.
Last season, he played in 23 games, averaging 10.7 minutes and 3.8 points.
"He deserves a lot of credit,'' Hill said. "He kept himself prepared, and now with the minutes he's getting, he's getting comfortable out there.''
