<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Showing His Stuff Scott Wallin The tattoo on DeShawn Stevenson's inside right forearm serves as a daily reminder. It's a picture-like image of his 5-year-old half brother, Tyler, who is framed between the words "My love, my life." Another reminder is taped to Stevenson's locker door in the form of a 4-by-6 photo of a little boy. This is Stevenson's 2 1/2-year-old son, DeShawn Jr., or "D.J." as his dad calls him. In early April, yet another reminder was on the way as a daughter, to be named Skye Christian, was only a week or two from birth. "I do this for them, I don't do this for me," Stevenson said of his gift for the game of basketball. Yet, his words carry a double meaning. Stevenson also wants to set an example for his brother and children, one that shows you don't give up in the face of adversity when second chances really do exist. Not that Stevenson wasn't close to calling it quits in Orlando that long ago. Maybe it was an occasional glance at Tyler's image, or the encouraging words from his fiance or the way veterans Grant Hill and Steve Francis kept him upbeat with daily doses of laughter. Whatever the reason, Stevenson, who signed a three-year deal with Orlando last summer, eased away from his December "get me out" demand that resulted from a deep freeze on Orlando's bench. But with Magic General Manager John Weisbrod saying on Dec. 14 he had "no plans" of trading Stevenson, the shooting guard resumed sitting hoping once again his day would come. That day arrived March 17 when Weisbrod dismissed Coach Johnny Davis and elevated Chris Jent to his position. Jent wasted little time in pulling Stevenson from the depths of the bench and inserting him into the starting lineup at shooting guard. It wasn't a move for the sake of making a move. Rather, Jent, who had worked closely with Stevenson during practice under Davis' regime, saw up close what the fifth-year pro was capable of. And when Jent got his chance, so did Stevenson. "I saw what we were lacking is what he had and that's a great amount of athleticism and hard work and approach to the game," Jent said. "Not that we didn't have guys working hard but he gives a lot of energy when he's on the floor. I just felt like he had done some really good things and deserved to play again." Jent, still an assistant when Stevenson issued his trade-me comment, admits he was initially concerned by those words. But Jent soon was amazed by what he saw out of Stevenson. It was his effort and dedication in practice that caused Jent not to flinch when it was his turn to fill out the lineup card. "It [the trade request] did worry me because I consider him to be possibly the most popular guy on the team," Jent said. "He's got a great sense of humor, he's fun to be around and the players migrate to him. They like talking to him, like being around him and I was concerned because I thought he had a lot to do with our team chemistry. It was kind of disconcerting at the time." "I knew he was upset, but after he made that statement he didn't dwell on it. He actually showed up for practice and was even more motivated. Rather than going down, he went further up. I thought that was pretty impressive for a young man to do that." Stevenson, who started Jent's first game on March 18, is showing that his coach made a wise decision. In his first nine games with Jent making the calls, Stevenson averaged 34.4 minutes, 14.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists, no doubt still finding his rhythm as a starter. After all, Stevenson had played a total of seven minutes in the previous four games before his promotion. And while he is forever grateful for Jent's belief in his skills, Stevenson says he'll wait until after the season to fully express his gratitude, not wanting to cross what he calls a professional line during the season. Nonetheless, he feels grateful every day. "Coach Jent saw the things I can do in practice and I was fortunate to work with a person who I had a chance to click with as a head coach," Stevenson said. "Johnny Davis saw what I could do last year but I think he got caught up with all the new guys and kind of forgot about me. "Having an opportunity with Chris and getting a chance, it's just a blessing." Jent isn't alone in his assessment of Stevenson's skills. Rookie Dwight Howard has long marveled at Stevenson's high-flying/slashing practice performances. "In practice, he's one of those guys who just kills everybody," Howard said. "I was like, 'Man, it would be fun watching him play on the court.' Once he got his opportunity, he ran with it. I'm glad Chris and the coaching staff gave him an opportunity to play." Hill, who knows a thing or two about being patient, also is a fan of Stevenson's game. While Stevenson credits Hill for being part of his support system, the NBA veteran deflects much of the praise for keeping his teammate's chin up. "He's being kind when he says that," Hill said. "It was really him. He's the person who dealt with it. We tried to keep him feeling like he was part of the team and upbeat. But he could have gone either way and he chose to keep his mind in it and stay ready. We all felt and knew he could play." "He was kind of getting the raw end of the deal there but through his hard work and perseverance and his patience, he's been able to get in there and show what he can do and show he can be effective." Stevenson and Jent agree the best has yet to be unveiled. Don't forget, Stevenson just turned 24 at the beginning of April and skipped a chance to play collegiately for Kansas and then-coach Roy Williams. Stevenson broke many a Jayhawk heart with his decision to jump directly to the NBA from high school in Fresno, Calif. Williams had compared Stevenson's skills with those of former NBA standout Mitch Richmond, adding Stevenson had a chance to be more athletic. Stevenson, who was drafted 23rd by Utah in 2000, came into this season having played only 248 NBA games in three-and-a-half years with the Jazz and the last third of last season in Orlando. Jent says fans have only seen a bit of what has everyone talking about Stevenson's highlight practice reel. "I think he's scratching the surface," Jent said. "He's receptive to teaching and coaching and he applies it to his game. I think the more he does that, the better he's going to get. He has a funky looking shot but it goes in." Funky shot aside, Jent concentrates for now on Stevenson's on-court decisions. Most of them revolve around how Stevenson can better create and produce through a little more aggression. "Make quick, decisive decisions and deal with the consequences," Jent says. "Take a shot when you're open. You miss it, you miss it; go back and play defense. You have a driving lane, go to dunk. Don't go to create contact, go to hang from the rim." "The first thing I said to him in the game that he started [March 18] was, 'You've got one offensive foul and until you get that, be relentless attacking the rim. And once you get it, again be relentless in attacking the rim,' because we need that from him." The way Stevenson sees it, it's not only the Magic who need him, but also those children in his life who look up to their big brother and father. He feels this season -- at least the ending -- serves as an example they can follow. "If they see me go out there and get frustrated and start to fail, they'll be like 'daddy did it' or 'my brother did it,' " Stevenson said. "So I have to keep my head up and go out there and work hard. "It was just hard knowing you could play but you have to wait your turn. It was a hard situation but I waited it out. There were some bumps here and there but it's paying off at the end." Scott Wallin is an Orlando freelance writer. </div> http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Showing_His_...141236-800.html Deshawn Stevenson is a pretty good player but I don't think he is capable of starting. I think the Magic should shop him and see what they could get for him.
I liked him when we traded him too. I was always wanting him to get more minutes. I think he will likely be our starter at SG this next year and keep Jameer on the bench(Jameer is perfect on the bench). I read on another board from someone who keeps up with so many stats that Deshawn avgs the most passes a game to Dwight. I honestly don't care if he starts or comes off the bench, because he would be a very good bench player with his athleticism and energy. I just want him to keep getting 15-20 mins a game at least and not get lost on the bench. Could you guys imagine a bench that has Jameer, Deshawn, and Hedo on it? That would provide so much depth to our guard positions.
I like Deshawn aswell he has a very nice 3 but needs to work on the free-throws a little bit he reminds me of Stevio when he drives it to the hole and dunks it down maybe a more skilled Desmond Mason. We need to keep him the article said he is very popular w/ the team and thats good chemistry that we need. Starting him would be nice if we get a Sg in the Draft start Deshawn at the 2 stevio at the 1 and work with the same group. Needing this to happen means we have to trade Doug not really have to but i want him traded it will show more Deshawn and Nelson with the new draftie if a Sg is picked.
Where was his son and his brother last year? I don't think he was doing it for them then, becuase he choked when crunch time came at the end of the season. But I'm glad for him, I'm glad that he's playing hard now, it's always better late then never. But we should put him on the trade market, he could do us some good in that department.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TimFlem:</div><div class="quote_post">Where was his son and his brother last year? I don't think he was doing it for them then, becuase he choked when crunch time came at the end of the season. But I'm glad for him, I'm glad that he's playing hard now, it's always better late then never. But we should put him on the trade market, he could do us some good in that department.</div> Has there been a TimFlem sighting? This is TarHeel AKA MagicFan3. Good to see you man.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post"> Has there been a TimFlem sighting? This is TarHeel AKA MagicFan3. Good to see you man.</div> Yea, I told everyone I shall return one day, this is the first day of the summer so when i get bored or have some free time I'll be here. The Magic forum is so dead now, I thought it'll be krunk with us doing so good and all. O well I guess some things never change.
