We ALL loved Nick!!! Just a ton of fun things he could do on the court. Exact same thing with AR these past 2 seasons since becoming Him.
It’s like picking between two kids. Nick was my guy throughout that era and made those “no chance for a Chip” seasons bearable. Still unsure how I lost my away jersey of his! Austin is my favorite to watch now.
I won't pick. Love them both for the excitement and clutch shooting they could bring at great moments. Both delivered some really fun games and could get hot.
Nick was more fun to watch. Not necessarily better when he played for us, but brought more excitement, IMO.
As I said at the start we ALL loved Nick. I don't know though that I've ever come across a better compilation of AR highlights than this one which just popped up on my YouTube screen tonight. Guys handle the ball better now than in the 90's so defenders are used to it. But AR just makes guys look silly out there. Nick had bigger hands and could go up and dunk it one handed without having to even cup the ball. But all around "BAG" .... including spectacular passing ability .... I think AR's is "Bigger" including crossovers every bit as nasty plus other tricks, jukes, footwork and stuff not even Nick was doing. If this was poker I'm calling and raising. Show me a Nick clip that he's doing something AR can't do with the ball on offense.
While I have no hate for Nick, I kind of lean into this. Once he made that comment, much of my appreciation of him vanished.
van exel was a microcosm of the del harris lakers. young, immature, and coached by a guy who commanded zero respect