timvp
08-30-2005, 12:27 AM
Quickly, Van Exel a Spur
Mike Finger
San Antonio Express-News
Nick Van Exel arrived in San Antonio on Monday expecting some spirited conversation, maybe a nice meal, and not much else.
The Spurs wound up offering him a bit more than that. And by nightfall, Van Exel was checking into a local hotel with a signed contract, a few thousand new fans and another chance to win his long-awaited first NBA championship.
Van Exel, a fiery 33-year-old guard long known as one of the league's most dangerous shooters, was so impressed by his meeting with a star-studded Spurs contingent that he wasted no time in signing a one-year deal with the team.
"He was just here to spend the day with them," said Tony Dutt, Van Exel's agent. "It just all kind of came to a head at once, and he's excited about it."
The Spurs, apparently, were just as enthusiastic. Not only did coach Gregg Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford meet with Van Exel on Monday, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen also joined the recruiting effort.
"We wanted him in our program," Buford said. "We think he'll be a great complement to the team we have."
Adding to the Spurs' excitement is that the deal allows them to keep pursuing free-agent swingman Michael Finley. The specific terms of Van Exel's contract weren't released, but sources said the Spurs didn't use the $2.5 million they had remaining from their midlevel salary-cap exception. Before Monday, they also had a $1.6-million exception available.
Finley, who is considering the Spurs, Heat, Suns and Timberwolves, is expected to make his decision today.
But even if Finley doesn't end up in San Antonio, the Spurs believe their backcourt already has undergone a significant improvement. Van Exel, who with 1,473 3-pointers ranks behind only Ray Allen among active NBA players, has shown he can help playoff-caliber teams even in crowded backcourts.
In the 2003 Western Conference finals, for example, his sparkling performances for the Dallas Mavericks gave the Spurs headaches before they eventually won the series in six games.
"He's always been a big-time performer," Buford said, "and we like to be in big games."
The 6-foot-1 Van Exel is coming off perhaps the worst season of his 12-year career, having averaged just 11.1 points and 4.3 assists in 53 games for Portland. For his career, he has averaged 15.1 points and 6.9 assists per game.
Van Exel missed 72 games combined during the past two seasons with the Warriors and Trail Blazers, mainly because of an arthritic left knee. In December, he was so frustrated by his banged-up body he announced he would retire at the end of the season.
But by the end of the season, Van Exel was confident his knee would allow him to keep playing. He became a free agent this summer when the Trail Blazers decided not to exercise the $12.7-million option on the final year of his contract, and he immediately began seeking teams he thought would contend for a title. Miami was his other main option.
Dutt said Van Exel, who will be formally introduced at a news conference this morning, didn't present the Spurs with any demands in terms of playing time or shots. With Tony Parker and Ginobili entrenched as starters, Van Exel isn't trying to stir the pot.
"I think he's comfortable with however Pop wants to play him," Dutt said. "There will be nights when he plays a lot, and some nights he won't play at all. He's fine with that."
Van Exel's signing gives the Spurs 11 players under contract for next season. They still would like to add another wing player, whether that turns out to be Finley or restricted free agent Devin Brown.
Meanwhile, Van Exel is hoping to ensure the Spurs will be pleased with their latest investment.
"Nick's always been the kind of guy who gets taken for granted," Dutt said. "He's given up more to win than most people know. In this case, he could have gotten a lot more money elsewhere, but he wants to win."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA083005.1D.vanexel.8d61f07.html
Mike Finger
San Antonio Express-News
Nick Van Exel arrived in San Antonio on Monday expecting some spirited conversation, maybe a nice meal, and not much else.
The Spurs wound up offering him a bit more than that. And by nightfall, Van Exel was checking into a local hotel with a signed contract, a few thousand new fans and another chance to win his long-awaited first NBA championship.
Van Exel, a fiery 33-year-old guard long known as one of the league's most dangerous shooters, was so impressed by his meeting with a star-studded Spurs contingent that he wasted no time in signing a one-year deal with the team.
"He was just here to spend the day with them," said Tony Dutt, Van Exel's agent. "It just all kind of came to a head at once, and he's excited about it."
The Spurs, apparently, were just as enthusiastic. Not only did coach Gregg Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford meet with Van Exel on Monday, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen also joined the recruiting effort.
"We wanted him in our program," Buford said. "We think he'll be a great complement to the team we have."
Adding to the Spurs' excitement is that the deal allows them to keep pursuing free-agent swingman Michael Finley. The specific terms of Van Exel's contract weren't released, but sources said the Spurs didn't use the $2.5 million they had remaining from their midlevel salary-cap exception. Before Monday, they also had a $1.6-million exception available.
Finley, who is considering the Spurs, Heat, Suns and Timberwolves, is expected to make his decision today.
But even if Finley doesn't end up in San Antonio, the Spurs believe their backcourt already has undergone a significant improvement. Van Exel, who with 1,473 3-pointers ranks behind only Ray Allen among active NBA players, has shown he can help playoff-caliber teams even in crowded backcourts.
In the 2003 Western Conference finals, for example, his sparkling performances for the Dallas Mavericks gave the Spurs headaches before they eventually won the series in six games.
"He's always been a big-time performer," Buford said, "and we like to be in big games."
The 6-foot-1 Van Exel is coming off perhaps the worst season of his 12-year career, having averaged just 11.1 points and 4.3 assists in 53 games for Portland. For his career, he has averaged 15.1 points and 6.9 assists per game.
Van Exel missed 72 games combined during the past two seasons with the Warriors and Trail Blazers, mainly because of an arthritic left knee. In December, he was so frustrated by his banged-up body he announced he would retire at the end of the season.
But by the end of the season, Van Exel was confident his knee would allow him to keep playing. He became a free agent this summer when the Trail Blazers decided not to exercise the $12.7-million option on the final year of his contract, and he immediately began seeking teams he thought would contend for a title. Miami was his other main option.
Dutt said Van Exel, who will be formally introduced at a news conference this morning, didn't present the Spurs with any demands in terms of playing time or shots. With Tony Parker and Ginobili entrenched as starters, Van Exel isn't trying to stir the pot.
"I think he's comfortable with however Pop wants to play him," Dutt said. "There will be nights when he plays a lot, and some nights he won't play at all. He's fine with that."
Van Exel's signing gives the Spurs 11 players under contract for next season. They still would like to add another wing player, whether that turns out to be Finley or restricted free agent Devin Brown.
Meanwhile, Van Exel is hoping to ensure the Spurs will be pleased with their latest investment.
"Nick's always been the kind of guy who gets taken for granted," Dutt said. "He's given up more to win than most people know. In this case, he could have gotten a lot more money elsewhere, but he wants to win."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA083005.1D.vanexel.8d61f07.html