NBA Power Rankings: 30 Greatest Point Guards of All-Time

4 of 31

Feb 1, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Nick Van Exel during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Milwaukee 99-90. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

28. Nick Van Exel

1993 – 2006

Franchises: Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs

Career totals: 12,658 points, 5,777 assists, 2,545 rebounds, 726 steals, 1,850 turnovers

Career averages: 14.4 points, 6.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 2.1 turnovers

Shooting: 40.5 percent field goals, 35.7 percent 3-pointers, 79.4 percent free throws

Accolades: 1x NBA All-Star, All-Rookie Second Team

Van Exel wasn’t supposed to be anything great when he was drafted by the Lakers in the second round. He wasn’t supposed to be anything significant in 1993, trying to spark the new era for Los Angeles. It was immediately after the “Showtime” era had ended, and Magic Johnson was going through his health troubles. Someone had to fill the void, and that would be this short, Cincinnati guard.

He was a large part – probably the main part – of the Lakers bouncing back into the playoffs after missing it in 1994. His 16.9 points and 8.3 assists per game that year, as a sophomore, still stands impressive, even if he had much better seasons after that. Once they got into the playoffs in 1995, he managed to score 20 points, and dish 7.3 assists per game through 10 postseason games.

Even playing up until the 2003 playoffs, Van Exel was scoring 19.5 points per game and shooting 46 percent from the floor in the postseason for the Mavericks.

When it comes to Van Exel, you would never be impressed with his efficiency numbers from the field. As a point guard, he shot over 42 percent just ONCE in his career, leaving 12 seasons where he failed to reach that mark. On the contrary, it was his long ball that kept him as effective as anyone. He was a career 35.7 percent outside shooter, which is more than just respectable for a floor general. When you consider that he was taking nearly five attempts per game from 3-point range, it really shows how much he was able to kill you by spacing the court.

Next: Mr. 9 Teams