Coaches get hit for everything come playoff time. Is the team has a big lead with just a few games left in the regular season, they’re told they need to bench their players to avoid injury. Then when their team comes out in Round 1 flat and loses, it’s because they benched their players for too long. And if they don’t bench them and someone gets hurt, they were idiots, they had home court wrapped up, they were in, and so-and-so should’ve never been on the court.

It’s a Catch 22, really. I’ve got one for you now: Jameer Nelson may be playing for the Magic come Thursday night.

Nelson participated in a full team practice Tuesday for the first time since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder Feb. 2. While Nelson and coach Stan Van Gundy still said the point guard’s status won’t be determined until game day, players said Nelson looked “terrific” and expect him to be on the court against the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I expect to see him out there at some point in the series,” backup point guard Anthony Johnson said.

Nelson had what was then called season-ending surgery Feb. 19. Nelson’s rehabilitation was supposed to take at least another two months.

Game 1 of the Finals is Thursday night in Los Angeles, and healed or not, Nelson wants to play.

“I’m not saying I’m any tougher or stronger than anybody, but I’ve been known to do some amazing things sometimes,” Nelson said Tuesday, again lobbying for playing time.

On paper, this is good news for the Magic, who would get the return of an All-Star at maybe the most important position in basketball. However, if he comes out cold and out of sync, the papers will kill SVG on his decision to play a guy in the most important series after having been out of action for months. My take on it? I like Jameer Nelson. But your team got here without him — no need to get the guy back right now.

[ESPN]