Van Exel Puzzled by Fisher Minutes

Nick Van Exel’s long stretch on the bench in the fourth quarter Tuesday, as Derek Fisher played all but 93 seconds of the Lakers’ 100-88 victory at Philadelphia, gave him time to think about his role. Rather, to wonder about it.

“Nothing surprises me with the coach we got,” Van Exel said of Del Harris. “Nothing.”

It was surprising in that Van Exel played 21 minutes, six fewer than Fisher, at a time when he had just found his stride and was giving the Lakers a much-needed third weapon to go with Shaquille O’Neal and Eddie Jones.

He began the night averaging 16.5 points and 11.3 assists the previous eight games and shooting 51.7% the previous four. He ended it frustrated.

“He expects me to be the leader on the court, the quarterback, and then he takes me out of the game,” Van Exel said. “I’m over there guessing, like, ‘What can I do?’ But he’s the coach. You’ve got to stand by his rules.”