NBA Legends Explain Why Nick Van Exel Was Amazing

[@ceeal2943]

Very underrated guy....the 1996 Lakers were one of my favorites with Van Exel, Shaq, Ceballos (sadly was traded later), Eddie Jones, rookie Kobe Bryant, Campbell and Byron Scott

[@game382]

The Horry for Ceballos trade workout tho

[@kendrickdawson1053]

Underrated indeed

[@ceeal2943]

@@game382 yeah but I always liked Ceballos

[@gturcott1]

And Magic !

[@leonardoyi3183]

on the contrary...he was way overrated...the minute he got out of LA, his five minutes fame was gone. Sure, he was sometimes exciting to watch and streakee, but the real engines of the team during those years were Eddie Jones, Shaquille Oneal and Cedric Ceballos and then Kobe bryant.

[@SR-SR2]

I LOVE NICK VAN EXEL!!! Maybe not a a top 5 Lakers but my favorite top 5 Lakers. I miss him even now. One of my favorite players of all-time. It’s a shame he couldn’t enjoy the championship glory off the team he built post-Magic years! My favorite non-superstar NBA player of all-time…even though in my eyes he was a superstar!!!

[@916hellas]

Van Exel is a legend!

[@markomeker7789]

I' m still rockin' my Van Exel jersey. Young guys today always think it's Kobe' s old jersey untill they see the name at the vaxj:) Guy was a sensational player. I still remember watching his Nuggets games live. The amount of crossovers, deep 3's he made. He was ahead of his time. His style of play reminds me of Kyrie today!

[@ryancrawford8042]

Same. He, Reggie Miller and John Starks were fun to watch. Those guys had the same competitive swagger Jordan did, but no one talked about it bc they weren't MJ.

[@waynepeters5544]

Facts!! I rocked his yellow champion jersey back then, I felt invisible when I wore it 😆 I'm sure I had the kobe 1 adidas as well

[@hirolla74]

Great clutch player. I'm right handed but taught myself to shoot left because I have a weak left hand dribble. I patterned my quick release shot like Van Exel. As a Celtic fan, I hated the Lakers but loved Nick and his game.

[@eddieG667]

I think he hit a buzzer beater against your Celtics?

[@roderickcampbell2105]

Hi Hiro... Same with me. I used to carry the ball up the court using my left to help disguise my weak left hand. Use an easy time to hide a weakness.

[@llahhsoj7651]

I’m right handed but started shooting left in 6th grade. I figured it out during free throws. Before that I kinda shot with 2 hands.

[@Davivd2]

After Magic retired it was tough being a Lakers fan. There wasn't any hope for the future until Nick showed up. He was instant excitement and hope for the future. I have so many great memories of watching him play. Flashy passes, clutch shooting. I'm glad Sean made a vid about Nick The Quick.

[@TheRetroWoman80]

True, he was that dude. Southpaws have always had a special place in my heart.

[@Riles3152]

Yes, him and Eddie Jones kept the excitement going in LA after Magic’s era and right before Shaquille and Kobe arrived.

[@overratedgm5713]

@@Riles3152 I stopped being a Laker fan in the Shaq/Kobe era. I hated Shaq for getting Van Exel traded, I hated Rick Fox, Robert Horry, and Kobe, they are all so unlikeable. And they didn't win until they got Phil Jackson. None of these people are Lakers. Also, 2000 playoffs vs Blazers was fixed, and the 2002 playoffs vs Kings was fixed. But I loved Van Exel, Eddie Jones, and I loved Anthony Peeler.

[@terryindachat7296]

@@overratedgm5713 you couldn't blame Shaq for wanting the ball when had Van Exel trying to play hero ball. When they drafted Fisher in the 1st round it was pretty much over for Van Exel in LA

[@Riles3152]

@@overratedgm5713 All of those guys you mentioned are beloved in LA. Kobe is probably the most popular LA Laker ever outside of Magic. And as far as the fixed accusations, I can totally understand why you would say that for the 2002 WCF, even though everyone always seems to not bring up the fact that the Lakers literally went to Sacramento and beat them on their home court to get to the finals, but I’m not sure where you would say the 2000 WCF was fixed in favor of the Lakers. Seems more like those low character blazers just choked and melted down. If you’re going to accuse that of being a fix then we might as well go down a rabbit hole of series that were suspicious through out NBA playoff history.

[@michaeljamesmccabe]

I watched Nick play for Cincinnati in the tournament, in person, and was a fan after that. I always thought he was crazy underrated.

[@marcoluna1316]

Loved him when we was with the mavs! He was the attitude the team needed. Especially loved his free throws

[@idrism5290]

He was actually really good when he played for the mavs. Instant offense. There was a season he should have got 6th man of the year but they gave it to Bobby Jackson in Sacramento.

[@j.t.4010]

One of my favorite ballers of all-time !! 💪🏾

[@DUKEOFSOUNDS]

Thank you for showing us such an underrated talent . This is why we need you ❤

[@CFG1849]

Underrated to you. Those who know, know. Nick was nice!!!

[@rongiefaustino8867]

I absolutely loved watching Nick Van Exel. Also loved using him in NBA Live back in the day.

[@DJRashadHayes]

Facts! NBA Live 95!

[@johnv3662]

My favorite player ever. He’s the reason why I went to Cincinnati. Much respect thanks for the years you were on the court.

[@nebileyimaga]

Nick the Quick !! Appriciate man for all..

[@T3l3MuNd0]

Van Exel was my favorite Laker back in the day. So when he got traded in 1998, i cried & cried a lil more when Lakers won in 2000. Because i automatically said "Too Bad Nick Van Exel & Eddie Jones arent there. . . "

[@jarrettthomas4865]

Man I loved this guy when he played for my mavs. Big reason I really got into basketball as a kid..him Nash Finley and nowitzki was fun to watch…no defense tho 🤣

[@IamthNight]

Still one of my top fives. Nick was a great inspiration for me to start playing ball.

[@jimthomas7594]

Nick was an all time favorite for me. Loved watching the mid 90's lakers with him. Living on the east coast made for late nights but it was so worth it. He's so underrated

[@joelbeatty6895]

As a lifelong Lakers fan, thank for including the shot that beat Boston, in the OG Boston Garden. Van Smack, Eddie and Cedric!! Lake Show baby!!!

[@konasavage]

Loved that team with Van Exel, Peeler, Jones, Campbell, Christie

[@vonversace]

Christie gets no love, dude was solid defensively

[@derrickmckinney5083]

@@vonversacemade them kings wars real cause he use to be a laker.

[@stevenotero2627]

Nick Van Excellent & Eddie Jones Era was a special time. It was sad when they were traded right before the Lakers started winning championships. However Nick & Eddie are champions to me. CALIFORNIA LOVE 😎🎭✌️

[@billbixby557]

:45 before Kobe arrived, thus when Eddie Jones was still there, they were known for a short time as 'The Lake Show' ( on the cover of SI in '94, I believe ) Nick was one of those NBA players that hoopers of the 90s modeled at least part of their game after. So smooth, so aware, so deadly!

[@Lyyca]

No one "raises the roof" harder than Nick the Quick.

[@davidpekarsky2977]

Spurs fan and I loved Nick Van Exel. Nick the Quick. Monster.

[@LuckyC555]

I watched a ton of games from ‘92-‘97 KCAL channel 9 and Nick was definitely that guy when he was unleashed. The mustard fell off the hotdog! -Chick Hearn

[@tigaagul7]

One of the best Lakers guards ever, the man was special and his herky-jerky style was something everyone tried to replicate out on the courts back in the day. The 3 point shot was on point he was a beast....

[@ctavares3414]

Great player.. definitely underrated

[@game382]

As an southwest Ohio I was always a fan of Van Exel, bought me a throwback Laker Van Exel jersey

[@blacksheepmiracle1433]

One of my all-time, favorite players. Back in '94, in Illinois, it was very difficult, to get his jersey. I had to be very persistent and maybe lucky.

[@showtimenick824]

3:07 Snoop Doggy Doooooogggg

[@PhoenixIceable]

Has a Chicago fan I always them to draft N.V. Exel coming out of Cincy.

[@waynepeters5544]

An entertaining baller with attitude! He's still my favourite player, I rocked his yellow champion jersey back when he was with the lakers!! Not many built like him🤘

[@Mr.Memphis10]

Remarkable content! Growing up Nick "The Quick" Van Exel was my favorite PG.

[@jeffgould1386]

I loved NVX, he was a beast. Imagine a prime NVX on a team like GS today?

[@anagram8]

Nick Van Exel was nasty and virtually unstoppable. He was the basketball wizard of Jamal Crawford and Darius Garland. When he came down court with the rock it was no telling what he was going to do but whatever it was it was going to be a highlight. He was showtime almost all the time.

[@Dantana773]

Nick the Quick was a very exciting player to watch & He was Clutch I was a fan of his Since his NCAA days at. He would eat in this modern era

[@poopymcgee6308]

He was the only player I saw that would shoot free throws between the stripe and key arch. He said it was easier to shoot further back.

[@TheRetroWoman80]

I remember that. It was weird but hey...whatever works. Probably too much power in his release to shoot closer.

[@reallife0728]

YOOO NICK VAN WAS THAT DUDE,,,,FOR REAL!!!!!🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯

[@nathanrios3198]

I miss my old Nick the quick Lakers Champion jersey that I had growing up.

[@vegasmitch1472]

Van Exel was a BEAST!! He's probably the 1st Reason i Knew about Cincinnati Basketball. Wish he Could've Won at least 1 with the Lakers!!

[@lhermanus9524]

BTM your content is a great tunnel into time for our kids to see some of the best players who weren't regarded as goat convo players. Been subscribed for years now, but your channel means so much more because I have a little kid who loves to hoop.

[@Platipus23]

Nick Van Exel was an excellent pick.

[@dratkovic4631]

My favorite player growing up in Serbia in the 90s.

[@riofacts8283]

Great baller Nick was. Way to keep him relevant bro 👏👏👏

[@say_when5988]

Great player. I grew up loving his game.

[@dantoniomac]

Nick the quick was a beast.

[@brauprx]

My favorite post-showtime laker before Kobe came around. Nick was a show and so skilled. I loved that 98 team, I used to wonder how they would've grown if all they remained lakers a few more years: Nick, EJ, Kob, Elden, Shaq, Horry, Fox, DFish.

[@EusebioBermea]

As a high schooler, I had to hunt that jersey for months, living in Oregon. Finally found one and settled for the Purple too, until I eventually found the Gold too! Love the video!

[@toristrauss7943]

Congratulations on your achievements on & off the court Sir. Cincinnati loves & respects you! You helped me be a dog on the court!

[@Brian316G]

Grew up a Lakers hater. But always secretly loved Nick. Guy was a great talent. Maybe the most underrated player I have seen. Definitely top five ever underrated players.

[@paulburket]

His feel for the game while in motion was elite. Definitely underrated

[@scottsacala]

My favorite player! I'm still not over the fact the Lakers traded him!

[@ren1818ren]

Was my favorite laker growing up! Nick the Quick! Left hander with floaters, smooth moves, fearless! Miss the 90s!

[@jeremystanton382]

I saw him aa lot at the Shoe. He was fun to watch, my favorite college player.

[@danielsuh4332]

Nick the quick made my college Mav watching a pleasure. Clutch

[@BigBadKahuna1]

Nick was so underrated

[@dierone1]

Nick was nasty with that left, I’m a lefty as was balling everyday during the time he was a Laker so I patterned my game after him, and I loved his battles against Gary Payton, he carried the Lakers during that time

[@eburonson]

Absolutely loved the Nick and Eddie backcourt duo! Still, have my Eddie Jones jersey! Nick and GP had some great battles for sure. That was a fun time!

[@Willardbeans00]

Nic Van, Kenny Anderson, n Rod Strickland …. My favorite point guards as a kid

[@nostalgiajunkieakaetherethi677]

Man when ppl bring up underrated players from the era and i bring him up , everytime, i get real upset when they dont remember him like i do, too busy drooling over the shaqs and kobes but without guys like van exel to come in clutch, assist, and all around be an asset to the team they wouldve just been superstars on losing teams nick came in and made that team lineup legendary for me my favorite lineup when he was on the lakers with kobe n shaq

[@andypierce6593]

Remember him from NCAAs, then when he came to my Mavs in 2003 on one of the great offenses ever (seriously, check the stats) with Dirk & Nash playing for a coach (Don Nelson) who didn’t mind his aggressiveness. He was a great combo/super 6th man who was always on the court at the end, and a fan favorite.

[@NunoPatron]

One of my favorite Lakers of all time!!

[@thadogreene-xq9nq]

I was a big Nick at night fan when i was young gave the lakers hope during sone down years

[@tjsam805]

he'd thrive in today's game. ahead of his time for the playstyle he played.

[@Riles3152]

Plain and simple, Nick the quick was a bucket in his prime. I feel like even though he was obviously a really good starting point guard when he was with the Lakers, I think he was in his absolute ideal role, those couple of years he was with the Mavericks, as an instant scorer of the bench. Basically a Lou Williams before Lou Williams. That run he went on as a 6th man with the Dallas Mavericks in 2003, was sensational. I would go as far as to say that he was there 3rd or possibly even 2nd best guy on that Mavericks team behind Dirk and just ahead of or behind Nash. If Dirk didn’t get hurt in that WCF against the Spurs, they very well could’ve gotten to the finals and won the whole thing.

[@martyrobinson8954]

Nick the quick was a beast tho. He's another reason why kobe couldn't start wen he first got to LA

[@rickymoreno4929]

Nick was an exciting player to watch one of the underrated point guards to play the game. Shooting the free throws far from the line was just like okay dare to be different and that indeed is what made him interesting to watch

[@carlwallace1129]

VanExel was my favorite point guard of the 90s to watch whom was clutch with his array of herky jerky counter moves to score from in the lanes to beyond 3pt range.with crafty playmaking ability. Nick was the 1st player to bring the sauce and FREAKSHOW off of the dribble to L.A. before Kobe.

[@snubdawg1386]

90s lakers before and with rookie kobe had a nice roster ....a cool player on every position

[@carlwallace1129]

@@snubdawg1386 absolutely 💯.

[@garydecker3281]

Love this! Nick was my favorite Laker to watch, so exciting. I hate that Del Harris for getting rid of Nick. Just imagine how explosive the Lakers would have become If Nick, Eddie, Kobe, Elden and Shaq would have had time to figure out how to play with each outer. Campbell and O'Neal pulling down rebounds out letting to Nick with Jones and Bryant running at the wings! I believe they could have filled their hands with rings!

[@malewundi]

The sh*t about singular stats being not important for judging the value of a player that JJ is saying while introing his question to Jamaal Crawford is in direct opposition to the arguments he uses for undervaluing Larry Bird.... Nick was an absolute enjoyment to watch. So underrated...

[@lookfeelbehealthy6320]

Del Harris was the reason the Lakers couldn't win the championship. They definitely had enough talent with Van Exel. But at least the started winning championships as soon as Phil Jackson came along. Life long lakers fan, so thank God for Phil, and of course Kobe, Shaq, Fisher, and later Gasol. I do wish the Lakers kept Van Exel longer.

[@shinrips]

Nick the quick, I used to love how he cradled the ball like a running back going through the whole on the way to his layup.

[@LevinBurant]

He was very unique player, and he could play 1v1. Another great, B rated point guard from the 90's. Others that come to mind: Rod Strickland, Abdul-Rauf, Mookie, Avery Johnson, Sam Cassel, Mark Jackson, Derek Harper.... and few others.

[@eddieG667]

Did you mean Abdul-Rauf of the Nuggets?

[@j.t.4010]

Oh Snap, I Jus read yer comment, I said almost the same thing! Mookie & Strickland..... YOU KNOW HOOP 👍🏽

[@LevinBurant]

@@eddieG667 Indeed, thanks! Wasn't thinking straight.

[@eddieG667]

@@LevinBurant yes very underrated. People forget his team eliminated the #1 seeded Sonics and I was like “who is this dude with a weird neck twitch?”

[@jackmehoff916]

Nick da quick the reason I love basketball 🏀

[@daytwaqua]

You left out one of my favorite things about Van Exel. For those old enough to remember the "Raise the roof" gesture of the 90s, Van Exel would, after hitting a big shot late in a road game, do the opposite, pushing his hands from chest level down, instead of up. I always thought that was a great taunt for a road crowd.

[@daytwaqua]

Oh, and being a Suns fan, I've pretty much always hated the Lakers passionately. But the first time I saw that, I was like "Fuck, that's a pretty good way to shut up a road crowd".

[@ethereal-synchronicity-444]

Lol this highlight I remember 😂

[@marcussims1615]

LeBron got that from Nick the Quick

[@Tripp2136]

Yup I loved the van exel Cedric Lakers team

[@frankjones336]

Nickel Van Exel came from Kenosha WI PLAY AT LINCOLN PARK, PLAY AT ST JOES, CINCINNATI, FINAL FOUR AGAINST MICHIGAN WOLVERINE THEN LAKERS WATCH HIM LIKE A LITTLE BROTHER. PROUD OF YOU. KENOSHA HOOD FOREVER

[@budgetclipperreviews3209]

Nick da quick i remember that playoff game when he played wit da mavericks and hit 41 coming off the bench nick was that dude

[@bigbird7838]

Nick was an amazing player in his early days

[@lostdomi42]

Because of him I became a Basketball-Fan in the 90s! 🙂

[@johnmellos9946]

Loved this guy.

[@tyreefisher9410]

Nick van excel was my favorite player in college

[@roderickcampbell2105]

Great video I would dread trying to slow Nick down. Nick the quick. Good to see him remembered. I did not know that he was that good a passer. But he was.

[@whototeru]

Nick the Quick!

[@dajsespokoj3884]

One of my fav point guards!

[@rolen2358]

I would love to see video about Eddie Jones. Number 6. He was like a older version of Kobe.

[@notsofastahole]

i remember wanting the sonics to get him in the draft....i can't recall if they passed or if the lakers had the pick before him, just remember the disappointment.

[@juan5h]

Nick Van Excelente!

[@brucewzimple6475]

Nick the Quick!!! 👏👍

[@PaleTangitau]

I ❤️ LA LAKERS POINT GUARD NICK THE QUICK VAN EXEL 9# 1993- 1998!!! VAN EXEL HAD THE BEST ASSISTS TO TURNOVERS RATIO IN THE NBA & HE WAS LEFT HANDED WITH NO WEAKNESSES IN HIS GAME & NICK THE QUICK VAN EXEL HAD WHAT IT TAKES TO TAKE & MAKE GAME WINNING SHOTS...NICK AT NIGHT IS MY 3RD. FAVORITE LAKERS ALL TIME POINT GUARD BEHIND 1) MAGIC JOHNSON & 2) DEREK FISHER

[@latinshine1]

I watched him in college, and when I heard he fell into the 2nd, I was like "No way hes a 2nd rounder, he about to play pissed!" and he did!

[@WhoGitDaBiscuit]

Nice video. 👍

[@GISamurai]

Nick and Kevin Johnson were heavily underrated players.

[@BuddhiYoga7]

yeah, i remember Van Exel was pivotal in beating the Kings in 2003 with the Mavericks with those pull up 3s and swagger.

[@themoshigh]

Nick was the first player I seen stand like a half a foot behind the line and shoot free throws. 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾great player

[@starbrand1106]

Jerry west was a guy who knew how to build a team then we started getting impatient stars that wanted to trade everybody away and people forgot the real laker way

[@mirquo_von_rosenheim]

Danke Sean! Als ich 1994 mit Basketball anfing war Van Exel mein Lieblingsspieler (neben Jordan).

[@elohim77]

I used to call him nick "hold my balls" van Exel. One of my fav point guards ever

[@Tirrell25]

The lakers squad nick the quick was with in 94 was and exciting team to watch though they didnt win the finals. They were a lot of streak and skilled players, you knew were going to play hard all the time. Along with chick and stu the sports announcers. Real lakers fans look as nick the quick as a legend in our eyes. Vlad, ceballos, champbell, eddie jones, sam bowie, and nick. They wasnt better than 96 squad but fun to watch.

[@LooseCan88]

Great Channel, one of the best on the entire Internet, u heard ?

[@chadcollins1056]

An Anthony Peeler sighting in this video wow! Ive been a Lakers fan 40 years and forgot all about that man

[@semperfi9202]

Nick was a beast💪

[@rezsurfer2808]

This team was fun to watch and cedric dropping that 50 50 nicks talent was so underestimated. This was a good team with the core eddie and vlade. they needed a bench then.