Kori Ellis
08-31-2005, 12:06 AM
Van Exel out money but collects with Spurs
Web Posted: 08/31/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA083105.1C.BKNspurs.vanexel.da895c7.html
If Nick Van Exel had only listened to his mother, he would be a wealthier man today. He likely would have avoided two miserable years in Golden State and Portland, as well as a summer of anxiety-filled job hunting.
But he also wouldn't have become a Spur.
So in retrospect, Van Exel said he's glad that three years ago he agreed to the deal in which he gave up $12.8 million but gained the freedom that ultimately led him to San Antonio.
"My mom's still calling me a fool for making that move," Van Exel said Tuesday after a workout at the Spurs' practice facility. "But I don't regret it at all."
Even if it turned out a bit differently than he first imagined.
After the 2001-02 season, Van Exel simply was trying to escape Denver and play for a winning team. But the only way he could facilitate a trade to Dallas was to turn the guaranteed final year of his contract into a team option. By doing so, he was able to lead the Mavericks to the 2003 Western Conference finals but also ended up being shipped to the Warriors, and then to the Trail Blazers.
When Portland declined to pick up the option earlier this summer, Van Exel, 33, became a free agent. And although he knew the Spurs couldn't offer him more than the one-year, $1.167 million contract he signed Monday, he immediately included them on his wish list.
"You know what you're going to get (with the Spurs)," Van Exel said. "They win, and they win a lot. That's the most important thing."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who had long been enamored with Van Exel's basketball skills, said he was especially impressed when Van Exel seemed so excited about playing for the Spurs. In fact, Popovich said signing the 6-foot-1Van Exel reminded him of another notable veteran Spurs pickup.
"It's bringing a smaller version of Robert Horry," Popovich said. "You get an experienced guy who really wants something and can contribute in a specific manner."
Like Horry, Van Exel is most valued by the Spurs for what he can give them in the postseason. With that in mind, the Spurs will monitor Van Exel's regular-season minutes much as they have done with Horry to keep him fresh.
"The most important thing is the playoffs," Van Exel said. "That's what (Popovich) told me I needed to get ready for."
Van Exel, who missed 72 games over the past two seasons, said his arthritic left knee feels as healthy as it has in "a year and a half." He said most of his injury problems in Golden State and Portland were the result of returning too quickly from his last knee surgery.
He received a clean bill of health from the Spurs' doctors Monday, and that was all Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford needed to hear before offering a contract to a player they think can be a postseason difference-maker.
"Nick relishes taking the big shot, the last shot," Popovich said. "And that's a rare quality in a lot of players."
Popovich wasn't the only Van Exel admirer in the Spurs' camp. He said when he mentioned the idea of signing Van Exel, players quickly endorsed it. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen all met with Van Exel in person Monday.
And as for Duncan's sales pitch?
"He said, 'We would love to have you,'" Van Exel said, 'but we don't need you.'"
Van Exel took the joke well. In fact, he even made a crack of his own about his image as a difficult teammate.
"Hey," he said to Popovich on Tuesday, "I'm coachable now."
Web Posted: 08/31/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA083105.1C.BKNspurs.vanexel.da895c7.html
If Nick Van Exel had only listened to his mother, he would be a wealthier man today. He likely would have avoided two miserable years in Golden State and Portland, as well as a summer of anxiety-filled job hunting.
But he also wouldn't have become a Spur.
So in retrospect, Van Exel said he's glad that three years ago he agreed to the deal in which he gave up $12.8 million but gained the freedom that ultimately led him to San Antonio.
"My mom's still calling me a fool for making that move," Van Exel said Tuesday after a workout at the Spurs' practice facility. "But I don't regret it at all."
Even if it turned out a bit differently than he first imagined.
After the 2001-02 season, Van Exel simply was trying to escape Denver and play for a winning team. But the only way he could facilitate a trade to Dallas was to turn the guaranteed final year of his contract into a team option. By doing so, he was able to lead the Mavericks to the 2003 Western Conference finals but also ended up being shipped to the Warriors, and then to the Trail Blazers.
When Portland declined to pick up the option earlier this summer, Van Exel, 33, became a free agent. And although he knew the Spurs couldn't offer him more than the one-year, $1.167 million contract he signed Monday, he immediately included them on his wish list.
"You know what you're going to get (with the Spurs)," Van Exel said. "They win, and they win a lot. That's the most important thing."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who had long been enamored with Van Exel's basketball skills, said he was especially impressed when Van Exel seemed so excited about playing for the Spurs. In fact, Popovich said signing the 6-foot-1Van Exel reminded him of another notable veteran Spurs pickup.
"It's bringing a smaller version of Robert Horry," Popovich said. "You get an experienced guy who really wants something and can contribute in a specific manner."
Like Horry, Van Exel is most valued by the Spurs for what he can give them in the postseason. With that in mind, the Spurs will monitor Van Exel's regular-season minutes much as they have done with Horry to keep him fresh.
"The most important thing is the playoffs," Van Exel said. "That's what (Popovich) told me I needed to get ready for."
Van Exel, who missed 72 games over the past two seasons, said his arthritic left knee feels as healthy as it has in "a year and a half." He said most of his injury problems in Golden State and Portland were the result of returning too quickly from his last knee surgery.
He received a clean bill of health from the Spurs' doctors Monday, and that was all Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford needed to hear before offering a contract to a player they think can be a postseason difference-maker.
"Nick relishes taking the big shot, the last shot," Popovich said. "And that's a rare quality in a lot of players."
Popovich wasn't the only Van Exel admirer in the Spurs' camp. He said when he mentioned the idea of signing Van Exel, players quickly endorsed it. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen all met with Van Exel in person Monday.
And as for Duncan's sales pitch?
"He said, 'We would love to have you,'" Van Exel said, 'but we don't need you.'"
Van Exel took the joke well. In fact, he even made a crack of his own about his image as a difficult teammate.
"Hey," he said to Popovich on Tuesday, "I'm coachable now."