Manu20
05-05-2006, 10:17 AM
Spurs-Kings notebook: Van Exel wants shot at more playing time
Web Posted: 05/05/2006 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA050506.4D.BKNspurs.notebook.cdf6620.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Nick Van Exel was glad to be on the court Tuesday. He hopes to be there again tonight.
Van Exel didn't play in the second half of Game3 or at all in Game 4 after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich elected to use Beno Udrih to back up Tony Parker. On Tuesday, Popovich went back to Van Exel, who had two points, four assists and four rebounds in 14 minutes.
The Spurs signed Van Exel last summer hoping his experience and clutch shooting would help in the playoffs. He scored 11 points in his first seven minutes in the series opener but hasn't hit a shot since the second quarter of that game.
"It's real tough because I want to play," Van Exel said. "But I know the situation I'm in, so I just try to stay focused and stay ready.
"Whenever he calls for me, I just try to give that lift whatever way possible."
Van Exel needed three cortisone shots in the regular season to relieve pain in his left elbow caused by bone chips. He plans on retiring after the season and likely will have surgery to clean out his elbow.
But the injury, he said, won't keep him from contributing in his final playoffs.
"I kind of think (Popovich) worries about my knee and elbow, but I'm fine," Van Exel said. "It's basically if I tell him I can't go, then I can't go.
"But," he added with a laugh, "I didn't tell him that in Game 4."
Parker's smooth stroke: After struggling in Game 3, Tony Parker maintained he hadn't lost confidence in his jump shot. He proved that Tuesday by often making Sacramento pay for sagging off him.
Only one of his eight baskets in Game 5 was a layup. Of the other seven shots he made, six were from at least 16 feet.
"If they're going to give me that jump shot, I have to take it," Parker said. "Especially if it's wide open like that."
Parker's inconsistent shooting largely contributed to his playoff struggles the previous four seasons. As a result, the Spurs added Chip Engelland, one of the game's top shooting coaches, to their staff last summer.
Parker has steadily improved over the course of the season. In five games this series, he's also made 23 of 26 free throws.
Endorsing Bonzi: Kings coach Rick Adelman isn't certain he will be back next season. He is in the final year of his contract, and the team's owners, Joe and Gavin Maloof, have not committed to re-signing him.
If Adelman does return, he said he would like to see Bonzi Wells back. Wells is a free agent, and his outstanding play in the series has likely driven up his asking price this summer.
"Obviously, the way he's played, he's definitely changed a mindset," Adelman said. "If there was a mindset someplace else, he's definitely changed it. It's a good balance when you have him and Ron (Artest), and you've got Kevin (Martin). You've got a pretty good mix there.
"I like the mix of this team. That's the best way to answer it. But free agency is such a crapshoot because there's so many people involved: His agent, him, ownership, other teams. But I certainly appreciate everything he's done, and I think it's a very workable situation."
Web Posted: 05/05/2006 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA050506.4D.BKNspurs.notebook.cdf6620.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Nick Van Exel was glad to be on the court Tuesday. He hopes to be there again tonight.
Van Exel didn't play in the second half of Game3 or at all in Game 4 after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich elected to use Beno Udrih to back up Tony Parker. On Tuesday, Popovich went back to Van Exel, who had two points, four assists and four rebounds in 14 minutes.
The Spurs signed Van Exel last summer hoping his experience and clutch shooting would help in the playoffs. He scored 11 points in his first seven minutes in the series opener but hasn't hit a shot since the second quarter of that game.
"It's real tough because I want to play," Van Exel said. "But I know the situation I'm in, so I just try to stay focused and stay ready.
"Whenever he calls for me, I just try to give that lift whatever way possible."
Van Exel needed three cortisone shots in the regular season to relieve pain in his left elbow caused by bone chips. He plans on retiring after the season and likely will have surgery to clean out his elbow.
But the injury, he said, won't keep him from contributing in his final playoffs.
"I kind of think (Popovich) worries about my knee and elbow, but I'm fine," Van Exel said. "It's basically if I tell him I can't go, then I can't go.
"But," he added with a laugh, "I didn't tell him that in Game 4."
Parker's smooth stroke: After struggling in Game 3, Tony Parker maintained he hadn't lost confidence in his jump shot. He proved that Tuesday by often making Sacramento pay for sagging off him.
Only one of his eight baskets in Game 5 was a layup. Of the other seven shots he made, six were from at least 16 feet.
"If they're going to give me that jump shot, I have to take it," Parker said. "Especially if it's wide open like that."
Parker's inconsistent shooting largely contributed to his playoff struggles the previous four seasons. As a result, the Spurs added Chip Engelland, one of the game's top shooting coaches, to their staff last summer.
Parker has steadily improved over the course of the season. In five games this series, he's also made 23 of 26 free throws.
Endorsing Bonzi: Kings coach Rick Adelman isn't certain he will be back next season. He is in the final year of his contract, and the team's owners, Joe and Gavin Maloof, have not committed to re-signing him.
If Adelman does return, he said he would like to see Bonzi Wells back. Wells is a free agent, and his outstanding play in the series has likely driven up his asking price this summer.
"Obviously, the way he's played, he's definitely changed a mindset," Adelman said. "If there was a mindset someplace else, he's definitely changed it. It's a good balance when you have him and Ron (Artest), and you've got Kevin (Martin). You've got a pretty good mix there.
"I like the mix of this team. That's the best way to answer it. But free agency is such a crapshoot because there's so many people involved: His agent, him, ownership, other teams. But I certainly appreciate everything he's done, and I think it's a very workable situation."