Nick Van Exel breaks down what it takes to be a great point guard in today's era: 'You gotta be able to shoot the ball'

Originally posted on Basketball Network | By Adel Ahmad | Last updated Dec 6, 2024 8:23 AM ET

As a former NBA All-Star and celebrated point guard, Nick Van Exel carved a niche in the league during the 1990s and early 2000s. Known for his flashy style, clutch performances, and basketball IQ,

He brought dynamism to the court that few could match in his position. Now, in his post-playing career as a coach, he has turned his attention to mentoring the next generation of talent in an era defined by rapid changes in playing style and strategy.

The point guard essentials

Van Exel made his mark when the point guard's role revolved around orchestrating the offense, feeding dominant big men, and maintaining team tempo.

Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1993, he quickly established himself as a critical piece of their rebuild. His flair for dramatic moments was never more evident than on May 16, 1995, when he hit two clutch game-winning shots against the San Antonio Spurs during the Western Conference Semifinals.

The first was a 3-point jumper to tie the game and then a mid-range shot to secure the victory.

Beyond his scoring ability, the retired point guard was an archetype of the traditional floor general. Yet, as he acknowledged when discussing what it takes to excel as a point guard today, the basketball landscape has shifted dramatically since his playing days.

"You gotta be able to shoot the ball; that's number one," Van Exel said. "Priority number one, you gotta be able to knock down open shots. And nowadays, it's not like when we played; we had big guys who we had to deliver the ball to, so that's kind of gone away, but I think what's still there is managing."

Coaching view

After retiring in 2006, the former Lakers star shifted to coaching, a role that presented its set of challenges. He has been an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks, helping young players navigate a game dominated by 3-point shooting.

The Atlanta Hawks are hiring Nick Van Exel as an assistant coach, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 22, 2021

With the emergence of Steph Curry, whose long-range accuracy has redefined scoring efficiency, aspiring players now emulate the same style—only they aren't as good and lethal as the Golden State Warriors point guard.

"Being a coach in this era, guys may come down and shoot a horrible shot, and their thinking is, 'Man, this is the second quarter; we're okay.' And my thinking is, 'But every possession matters.' And they don't look at it like that now because it's like so many possessions, so many 3's being thrown up; they don't take possessions as important as we did back in the day," Van Exel said.

This divergence in mentality highlights the generational gap between players and coaches. While the former point guard appreciates modern stars' incredible skill sets, he remains focused on instilling discipline and an understanding of the game's nuances.

Nick's coaching philosophy bridges the old-school values of ball security and decision-making with the modern game's emphasis on high-volume 3-point attempts.

This article first appeared on Basketball Network and was syndicated with permission.

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