Denver Post: Apocolypse Is Near - The Orange Mane

RhymesayersDU · 08-05-2005, 01:57 PM

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_2914666

Van Exel eager for second tour
By Marc J. Spears

Nick Van Exel, who was released by the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, is interested in returning to the Nuggets.

He asked the Nuggets to trade him, which they did. He gets booed when he returns to Denver.

So although it may sound crazy, Nick Van Exel on Thursday said he would consider a second tour of duty with the Nuggets after the Portland Trail Blazers waived him Wednesday.

"Of course I would consider Denver," Van Exel said. "They are a team on the rise. They are doing good things. But it would be a little odd."

After tiring of losing during the 2001-02 season, Van Exel asked Nuggets management to trade him. The final season of Van Exel's contract was guaranteed at $12.8 million for 2005-06. But to orchestrate a seven-player trade to Dallas in 2002, he had to agree to make the final season a team option.

Had Van Exel, 33, refused to do that, his agent Tony Dutt believes he would still be a Nugget instead of moving on to Dallas, Golden State and Portland, which cut him in a cost-cutting move.

"I'm so happy they did it early on instead of doing it before training camp," he said.

Nuggets fans have booed Van Exel heavily every time he returned to Denver. The only other Denver opponent that gets similar treatment is Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

"It is funny," Van Exel said. "I know the fans still love me, so I want to stay in good with them."

Van Exel averaged a career- low 11.1 points and 4.3 assists in 53 games last season and contemplated retirement because of knee problems. But he said he has been working out since the season ended and feels the best he has in years.

RhymesayersDU · 08-05-2005, 01:57 PM

"I'll tell you what, he's a heck of a basketball player," general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said.

The guard lives in Houston in the offseason, and his son lives in Dallas. Although Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Miami also reportedly have interest, he says a winning situation will play a stronger role in his decision than the Texas ties.

"I really don't have a first choice," he said. "I'd really love to play for a team that has a chance of winning."

The Nuggets have two point guards - Andre Miller and Earl Boykins. But after being part of a two-point guard lineup in Dallas with Steve Nash, Van Exel believes he can co-exist with the Nuggets guards.

"Andre can play (shooting guard)," Van Exel said. "Earl's a scorer, and he can play like a (shooting guard). You've got three guards that can play two positions. It wouldn't be hard to figure it out."

Footnotes

NBA schedules will not be finalized until next week, but it appears the Nuggets will open this season on TNT on Nov. 1 at San Antonio in a rematch of this spring's playoffs. Denver returns home the following day to host the Los Angeles Lakers in the home opener. One of the Nuggets' annual marquee meetings with Cleveland also is scheduled to take place on TNT, on Dec. 15 in Ohio. ...

Steve Kauffman, agent for Denver free agent Greg Buckner, on his client's chances of re-signing: "We're still optimistic about reaching a deal with Denver. It's just not something I foresee happening immediately. It may be a week or two down the line."

The Nuggets will probably wait for the "amnesty" deadline to see which other players become available. Teams must cut those players by Aug. 15. ...

Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Los Angeles Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said of Marko Jaric, a restricted free agent who has visited the Nuggets: "You just have to know your people. I expect to have Marko back, and I don't see any issues for him."

RhymesayersDU · 08-05-2005, 01:58 PM

Please Kiki, for the love of God, just say No.

We forgive you for the Skita debacle, but this would be outright stupidity.

TheManeMan · 08-05-2005, 02:01 PM

I really dont think thats a bad idea signing with Denver...surprised that Mitch Kupcake hasnt brought him back in for a visit...

RhymesayersDU · 08-05-2005, 02:03 PM

You like NVE?

I don't know, the dude can get hot and can score... I don't know, I realize I was in favor of the Heat trading for Antoine Walker, but I just think NVE is more of a pain in the ass then he's worth.

noom · 08-05-2005, 02:15 PM

I'd take him and his funky looking lip back.

Clockwork Orange · 08-05-2005, 02:39 PM

**** Nick the Quit. We don't want his sorry, Pokemon looking ass back.

You wanted out, you got out, you stay out.

JPEZ · 08-05-2005, 02:46 PM

Kiki knows he is a cancer.......he wont be back!

footstepsfrom#27 · 08-05-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhymesayersDU

You like NVE?

I don't know, the dude can get hot and can score... I don't know, I realize I was in favor of the Heat trading for Antoine Walker, but I just think NVE is more of a pain in the ass then he's worth.

It's like trying to distinguish between Maury Povich and Jerry Springer to figure out which one's more annoying...flip a coin...they're both losers.

enjolras · 08-05-2005, 03:38 PM

I'd take him back in a minute.. he'd be great for the Nuggets. I watched him in the playoffs here in Dallas. The kid put the whole team on his back on get them to a western conference finals.

Forget what happened before.. I'd love to see him back.

08-05-2005, 01:57 PM	#1
RhymesayersDU Go Broncos, Nuggets, Rox GANGNAM STYLE Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Back In The 303! Posts: 14,812 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ty Lawson	Denver Post: Apocolypse Is Near http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_2914666 Van Exel eager for second tour By Marc J. Spears Nick Van Exel, who was released by the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, is interested in returning to the Nuggets. He asked the Nuggets to trade him, which they did. He gets booed when he returns to Denver. So although it may sound crazy, Nick Van Exel on Thursday said he would consider a second tour of duty with the Nuggets after the Portland Trail Blazers waived him Wednesday. "Of course I would consider Denver," Van Exel said. "They are a team on the rise. They are doing good things. But it would be a little odd." After tiring of losing during the 2001-02 season, Van Exel asked Nuggets management to trade him. The final season of Van Exel's contract was guaranteed at $12.8 million for 2005-06. But to orchestrate a seven-player trade to Dallas in 2002, he had to agree to make the final season a team option. Had Van Exel, 33, refused to do that, his agent Tony Dutt believes he would still be a Nugget instead of moving on to Dallas, Golden State and Portland, which cut him in a cost-cutting move. "I'm so happy they did it early on instead of doing it before training camp," he said. Nuggets fans have booed Van Exel heavily every time he returned to Denver. The only other Denver opponent that gets similar treatment is Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. "It is funny," Van Exel said. "I know the fans still love me, so I want to stay in good with them." Van Exel averaged a career- low 11.1 points and 4.3 assists in 53 games last season and contemplated retirement because of knee problems. But he said he has been working out since the season ended and feels the best he has in years.

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RhymesayersDU Go Broncos, Nuggets, Rox GANGNAM STYLE Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Back In The 303! Posts: 14,812 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ty Lawson	Please Kiki, for the love of God, just say No. We forgive you for the Skita debacle, but this would be outright stupidity.

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TheManeMan Ring of Famer DPOY Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 5,659	I really dont think thats a bad idea signing with Denver...surprised that Mitch Kupcake hasnt brought him back in for a visit...

08-05-2005, 02:03 PM	#5
RhymesayersDU Go Broncos, Nuggets, Rox GANGNAM STYLE Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Back In The 303! Posts: 14,812 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ty Lawson	You like NVE? I don't know, the dude can get hot and can score... I don't know, I realize I was in favor of the Heat trading for Antoine Walker, but I just think NVE is more of a pain in the ass then he's worth.

08-05-2005, 02:15 PM	#6
noom Me > You Feels like an Arby's night Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Denver Posts: 70	I'd take him and his funky looking lip back.

08-05-2005, 02:39 PM	#7
Clockwork Orange Persona Non Grata I seen him! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,438	**** Nick the Quit. We don't want his sorry, Pokemon looking ass back. You wanted out, you got out, you stay out.

08-05-2005, 02:46 PM	#8
JPEZ Samantha Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: DownTownDenver Posts: 567 Adopt-a-Bronco: Melvin Bratton	Kiki knows he is a cancer.......he wont be back!

08-05-2005, 03:38 PM	#10
enjolras Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,939	I'd take him back in a minute.. he'd be great for the Nuggets. I watched him in the playoffs here in Dallas. The kid put the whole team on his back on get them to a western conference finals. Forget what happened before.. I'd love to see him back.