Magic coach Stan Van Gundy sees similarities between Jason Williams and Rafer Alston.

Orlando signed Williams on Wednesday, and rode Alston all the way to the NBA Finals last season after starting point guard Jameer Nelson went down with an injury.

"I think there's some real similarities between he and Rafer in that I think you have guys that are in their 30s, veteran guys who are a little bit older, but have the type of bodies that are a little bit younger than their age," Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel.

"The thing that Jason's got that we really like he can play big minutes if needed, and that's what ended up happening with Jameer last year when he went down. Jason, as he puts in the work, gets back in shape, has the type of body and the type of energy that will allow him to play big minutes if we need that. We hope we won't."

Van Gundy is familiar with Williams from when they were both in Miami, and said that the point guard "still looked like Jason Williams" even after sitting out last season.