The way the 5-10 Nelson is playing, however, size doesn't matter.

After Nelson's fourth-quarter heroics led Orlando to a 109-103 victory Friday night against the L.A. Lakers, superstar Kobe Bryant even mentioned Nelson and the word "all-star" in the same breath.

"He's playing at an all-star level right now," Bryant said. "He made some really, really huge, tough shots. So you have to take your hat off to him."

Nelson was pivotal in the Magic posting first-ever regular-season series sweeps of the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs during the past week -- two teams who have won seven of the past 10 NBA championships.

He scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and made some clutch shots to foil the Lakers, and did in the Spurs in the final period by scoring 12 of his 22 points.

"If he was not in the game, it probably would have been a different story right now," center Dwight Howard said after the club improved its record to 32-8 by overcoming the Lakers.

"We need him to make big shots like he did. He did an excellent job and that's what he's here for."

Nelson's night didn't start well, as he was reminded of his size when two of his shots were blocked.

But Nelson is no stranger to rejection. He has heard the doubters since grade school and the suspicions have only steeled him, driven him to prove people wrong.

And so this was just another small triumph. Stack them all up and he stands pretty tall atop it, as the Lakers discovered.

"I never lose confidence. I felt the same way early in the game as I did late. I just don't get rattled," he said. "I don't care if I miss 20 shots in a row. I always believe the next one is going down.

"The secret is I don't get discouraged. That's what great players do, shoot through it and stay confident. It will turn."

Thanks to Nelson, things have turned Orlando's way.

When the Magic's season started, the point-guard position, arguably, was the club's biggest concern.

The team had allowed veterans Keyon Dooling and Carlos Arroyo to walk as free agents, leaving the show all to Nelson for the first time.

The Magic showed even more faith, rewarding Nelson with a five-year contract that some critics said was a gamble.

Although he had been playing well since the halfway point last season, Nelson no longer had a large safety net, and the pressure was on.

Nelson has delivered, expertly running the offense and even taking over the role as the go-to guy from Hedo Turkoglu.

Nelson and Howard are co-captains, but a case can be made that Nelson also deserves to be considered as the team's co-MVP along with Howard.

He's a longshot to make the Eastern Conference's all-star roster and join Howard in Phoenix on Feb. 15.

But he might be picking up some support with people like Kobe throwing bouquets his way.

Although he's on the ballot, he'd have to be added by the coaches after the regular voting. And if his coach, Stan Van Gundy, and the Magic staff ends up coaching the East all-stars, perhaps Nelson might have enough friends in high places.

Asked about making the all-star team, Nelson said, "Sure, everybody wants to be an all-star. I don't know. It's not really up to me. I'm just trying to do everything I can to make this team better every day."

Nelson's done just that, cutting defenders and doubters down to size.