Nick Van Exel: Overlooked piece of the Lakers resurgence with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant | FPP

He took the JuCo route to get to high level D1 basketball, but once he got to the university of Cincinnati under hall of fame coach Bob Huggins, he became a Bearcats legend in just 2 years and led them to some their best seasons in program history as their best player. And this got him drafted, but only as a second round pick so, Nick Van Exel had a lot to prove, especially being a point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers post Magic Johnson… But Van Exel delivered and was a top rookie in the league, the next year the Lakers brought in Eddie Jones and Cedric Ceballos and the Lakers truly began their resurgence, then just a year after that, Shaq and Kobe came to town and the Lakers were back. Van Exel was an overlooked player on those late 90s Lakers that like most, got overshadowed by the larger than life Shaquille O’neal. Van Exel would earn a 1998 NBA All star selection, but his days were numbered as he found himself in the headlines for less than stellar reasons and earned a reputation in GM Jerry West’s eyes as someone who gives up on the team.

So, Van Exel was shipped to Denver for the lockout shortened season and even though the Nuggets did not have success in his time there, Van Exel showed out and formed a fun duo with Antonio McDyess. Sadly, Mcdyess’ career was altered from a knee injury just when things were looking up in Denver, and Van Exel would soon request a trade out. It was granted as he spent a year and a half for the Dallas Mavericks, coming off the bench in a sixth man role behind the Mavs big three of Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Steve Nash and although they couldn’t reach the promised land, they got close in 2003 and it was in big part due to Van Exel’s postseason performance.

The last few years of Van Exel’s career were hampered by injuries as he spent a year in Golden State, a year in Portland and a year in San Antonio before calling it quits in 2006. Even though his career declined quickly and likely didn’t end how he hoped, he had a career to hold his head high about as Nick the Quick dazzled fans and embarrassed players for over a decade.


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