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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Van Exel Downplays Incident

Associated Press

Nick Van Exel, who did not play in the second half of Monday’s blowout loss at Portland, says there is no rift between him and coach Del Harris - just bad communication.

The Lakers lost 129-83, the most lopsided defeat in team history. Harris, who threw a locker-room tirade at halftime, said after the game that Van Exel refused to play at the beginning of the second half.

“What happened last night is that coach Harris and I both made assumptions - and you know what happens when people assume - and did not communicate,” Van Exel said Tuesday in a statement released by his agent, ProServ.

“There is no issue between the coach and me which needs to be resolved or straightened out. Let’s not make this bigger than it is.”

The star point guard is averaging 16.3 points and 8.0 assists a game. He had only two points and three assists in 13 minutes against the Trail Blazers. He did not play in the second half.

Van Exel, the team captain despite being just a second-year pro, is expected to play Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns at the Forum.

The Lakers, who had won five straight games to raise their record to 20-9, trailed Portland 65-54 at halftime. Harris admitted he then went “goofy” to fire his team up.

“I threw things,” he said after the game. “I dumped over the table. I tried to stimulate the troops, and it backfired. Sometimes it works and you get an emotional response from players, and sometimes, I guess, they quit.”

Harris blamed himself for the rout.

“It was the coach’s fault,” he said. “Coach lost the game.”

Lakers spokesman John Black said Van Exel is scheduled to meet Wednesday with executive vice president Jerry West and general manager Mitch Kupchak.

“Nick expressed regret and said that it wouldn’t happen again,” Black said.

Black said Van Exel’s statement echoed his remarks to management.

“I think the statement is fine and essentially the same thing he told me and Jerry (West) on the telephone today,” Black said. “He expressed he thought it was an unfortunate incident and that it was due to a miscommunication.

“It’s really not anybody’s fault, it’s certainly not Del Harris’ fault, and it’s really not Nick’s fault, either, but Nick said he would take responsibility for it. He will convey that in the meeting Wednesday morning.”