Del Harris once shared why he wanted Nick Van Exel to run the Lakers offense: "He has the green light to run"
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Nick Van Exel knew that he had to come up with something big for the Los Angeles Lakers when he joined the league in 1993.
Nick the Quick had the daunting task of starting a new era of Lakers basketball following the end of the Showtime Era. More players, such as Eddie Jones, would come and provide help in the following seasons. It was pretty clear from the start that it would be Van Exel who would have to carry most of the load for the franchise.
Van Exel rises to the challenge
Despite being the 37th overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, Nick accepted the challenge. After a credible rookie year, he leveled up his game in the following years.
One of Nick’s best seasons was during the 1996-97 season when he averaged 15.3 points, 8.5 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 79 games.
Van Exel had his share of big games. He was tasked to spark the offense, which meant being creative to get buckets and putting his teammates in the best situation to score. One game where the former Cincinnati Wildcat shone was against the New Jersey Nets on March 24, 1997.
The Lakers guard scored 23 points in that matchup on 9 of 19 field goal attempts. He also issued 8 assists and grabbed 2 rebounds to lead the Lakers to a 109-84 win. That performance drew praise from then-coach Del Harris.
“Nick played well also. He has the green light to run until he doesn’t have it,” Harris stated after that game.
Travis Knight backs up Nick the Quick
Van Exel had ample help in winning against the Nets. Rookie Travis Knight finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Eddie Jones chipped in 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
“I did need this type of a game, but the team needed the victory more,” Knight said. “We had to end this road trip on a solid note, and I think that this victory does that,” the 29th overall pick of the 1996 NBA Draft added.
Despite a promising young team, including a rookie named Kobe Bryant, the Lakers could only get as far as the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Los Angeles would succumb to the Utah Jazz in five games.
Lakers change it up
Although Nick the Quick was talented, he had his share of issues. That involved shoving a game official in April 1996 out of frustration. That translated into a 7-game suspension and a $187,000 fine. The move did not sit well with Lakers legend Magic Johnson. He condemned Van Exel’s actions, pointing out how LA would suffer the consequences of his actions.
“First of all, it’s not very smart. You can’t do that, no matter how frustrated you are or what foul has happened. Not at any time in the course of the season, but especially not now. It’s going to set us back,”
The 37th pick of the 1993 Draft would get shipped to the Denver Nuggets in a multiplayer deal in June 1998. The change in scenery would turn out well for Van Exel. In 4 seasons with the Nuggets, he averaged 17.7 points, 8.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 245 regular season games.
But after that run, the 6-foot-1 guard’s career would take a turn. He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks and took on a lesser role. Van Exel would become a journeyman from there. He also had stints with the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, and the San Antonio Spurs. With his career dissipating, Nick The Quick would retire in May 2006.