Yes!! Whooo!!!
I could definitely use another three-point shooter in my arsenal and this guy torched the Kings enough for me to keep him in mind.
With my 12th pick, I'm grabbing:
Nick Van Exel - G
In a 13 year NBA career, Van Exel played for the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Van Exel's career began when was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round as the 37th overall pick of the 1993 NBA Draft. Van Exel and Eddie Jones were the centerpiece of the Lakers' "rebuilding" plan in the twilight of the "Showtime" era of the early '90s. Led by Van Exel's flashy play, the two guards helped the team to the playoffs in 1995 after the Lakers had missed the postseason for the first time in years in 1994.
During his career with the Lakers Van Exel averaged 14.9 points per game as well as 7.3 assists per game, finishing in the top ten in the NBA in that category twice. Van Exel reportedly experienced tensions with several teammates, including 1996 draftee Derek Fisher, as well as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, who joined the Lakers in 1996, though his later trade is generally thought to be the result of a major conflict with then-head coach Del Harris.
On June 24, 1998, after five seasons as the starting point guard, Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets for Tony Battie and the draft rights to Tyronn Lue.
Playing on a Nuggets team which was one of the worst in the league at the time, Van Exel achieved several career highs. Over four seasons he put up averages of 17.9 ppg and 8.3 apg, averaging 21.4 ppg through 27 games of the 2001-02 season.
On February 21, 2002, he was traded by the Nuggets along with Raef LaFrentz, Avery Johnson, and Tariq Abdul-Wahad to the Dallas Mavericks for Juwan Howard, Donnell Harvey, Tim Hardaway, and a 2002 first-round pick.
In Dallas Van Exel played a smaller role, but contributed effectively by creating scoring opportunities and scoring key three pointers. He averaged 15.5 ppg during the 2002-3 season, and nearly 20 ppg in the 2003 playoffs, carrying the offensive load for the Mavericks in a tight series against the Sacramento Kings.
Van Exel was traded on August 18, 2003 to the Golden State Warriors along with Evan Eschmeyer, Avery Johnson, Popeye Jones, and Antoine Rigaudeau in exchange for Antawn Jamison, Chris Mills, Danny Fortson, and Jiri Welsch. During the 2003-4 season he played in a career low 39 games, averaging 12.6 ppg and 5.3 apg.
On July 20, 2004, he was traded by Golden State to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Dale Davis and Dan Dickau.[2] With the Blazers he played in only 53 games, averaging 11 ppg.
Van Exel was waived by Portland on August 3, 2005, and he signed with the San Antonio Spurs on August 29. After signing, Van Exel stated that it would be his last season in an NBA uniform. Due to injury, he only played in 65 games during the 2005-06 season.
Player highlights
•Van Exel was the last Laker to score in the fabled Boston Garden when he nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to give the Lakers the win.
•He hit a pair of clutch three-pointers for the Lakers in game 5 of the 1995 Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. The first one sent the game into overtime, while the second one decided the game.
•Van Exel currently ranks 6th all-time in NBA career three-point field goals made with 1,528.
•He finished in the top 15 in assists in 8 of 13 seasons.
•Coming into the 2005–06 season Van Exel was first all-time among Los Angeles Lakers in three point field goals made with 750. Midway through the season he was surpassed by Kobe Bryant.
•Popularized the move of 'punching the air' after making a clutch shot during a game.
•Named an NBA All-Star in 1998, along with three of his Lakers teammates
•Member of the 1994 All-Rookie Second Team
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Van_Exel
I cursed him enough when he played against us to know I wanted him but didn't want to take him too soon. I'm very glad he was still available. If nothing else, he can bring the "air punch" and none of you can use it.
I think the conflicts he had during his career were a clash of egos and that's simply not going to be a problem with the group I'm assembling.
I could definitely use another three-point shooter in my arsenal and this guy torched the Kings enough for me to keep him in mind.
With my 12th pick, I'm grabbing:
Nick Van Exel - G
In a 13 year NBA career, Van Exel played for the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Van Exel's career began when was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round as the 37th overall pick of the 1993 NBA Draft. Van Exel and Eddie Jones were the centerpiece of the Lakers' "rebuilding" plan in the twilight of the "Showtime" era of the early '90s. Led by Van Exel's flashy play, the two guards helped the team to the playoffs in 1995 after the Lakers had missed the postseason for the first time in years in 1994.
During his career with the Lakers Van Exel averaged 14.9 points per game as well as 7.3 assists per game, finishing in the top ten in the NBA in that category twice. Van Exel reportedly experienced tensions with several teammates, including 1996 draftee Derek Fisher, as well as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, who joined the Lakers in 1996, though his later trade is generally thought to be the result of a major conflict with then-head coach Del Harris.
On June 24, 1998, after five seasons as the starting point guard, Van Exel was traded to the Denver Nuggets for Tony Battie and the draft rights to Tyronn Lue.
Playing on a Nuggets team which was one of the worst in the league at the time, Van Exel achieved several career highs. Over four seasons he put up averages of 17.9 ppg and 8.3 apg, averaging 21.4 ppg through 27 games of the 2001-02 season.
On February 21, 2002, he was traded by the Nuggets along with Raef LaFrentz, Avery Johnson, and Tariq Abdul-Wahad to the Dallas Mavericks for Juwan Howard, Donnell Harvey, Tim Hardaway, and a 2002 first-round pick.
In Dallas Van Exel played a smaller role, but contributed effectively by creating scoring opportunities and scoring key three pointers. He averaged 15.5 ppg during the 2002-3 season, and nearly 20 ppg in the 2003 playoffs, carrying the offensive load for the Mavericks in a tight series against the Sacramento Kings.
Van Exel was traded on August 18, 2003 to the Golden State Warriors along with Evan Eschmeyer, Avery Johnson, Popeye Jones, and Antoine Rigaudeau in exchange for Antawn Jamison, Chris Mills, Danny Fortson, and Jiri Welsch. During the 2003-4 season he played in a career low 39 games, averaging 12.6 ppg and 5.3 apg.
On July 20, 2004, he was traded by Golden State to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Dale Davis and Dan Dickau.[2] With the Blazers he played in only 53 games, averaging 11 ppg.
Van Exel was waived by Portland on August 3, 2005, and he signed with the San Antonio Spurs on August 29. After signing, Van Exel stated that it would be his last season in an NBA uniform. Due to injury, he only played in 65 games during the 2005-06 season.
Player highlights
•Van Exel was the last Laker to score in the fabled Boston Garden when he nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to give the Lakers the win.
•He hit a pair of clutch three-pointers for the Lakers in game 5 of the 1995 Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. The first one sent the game into overtime, while the second one decided the game.
•Van Exel currently ranks 6th all-time in NBA career three-point field goals made with 1,528.
•He finished in the top 15 in assists in 8 of 13 seasons.
•Coming into the 2005–06 season Van Exel was first all-time among Los Angeles Lakers in three point field goals made with 750. Midway through the season he was surpassed by Kobe Bryant.
•Popularized the move of 'punching the air' after making a clutch shot during a game.
•Named an NBA All-Star in 1998, along with three of his Lakers teammates
•Member of the 1994 All-Rookie Second Team
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Van_Exel
I cursed him enough when he played against us to know I wanted him but didn't want to take him too soon. I'm very glad he was still available. If nothing else, he can bring the "air punch" and none of you can use it.
I think the conflicts he had during his career were a clash of egos and that's simply not going to be a problem with the group I'm assembling.
