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When the San Antonio Spurs traded little used reserve Carl Herrera and the rights to rookie Felipe Lopez in exchange for Antonio Daniels from Vancouver many Spurs Fans were far from happy. A month into the season many more fans had labelled Daniels a bust. He had played few minutes and had shown nothing to impress.
Now, after two months many of Antonio's critics have been converted into fans. His minutes have steadily increased and he has earned the role of back-up point guard behind Spur veteran playmaker Avery Johnson. Even though Antonio has played only half as many minutes per game as last years disappointing rookie season for the Grizzlies his numbers have shown great improvement. His shooting percentage has climbed dramatically in all categories (FG, 3PT and FT) and his assist to turnover ratio has also changed for the better.
Antonio Daniels was drafted fourth overall by Vancouver in 1997's NBA draft. Playing for the Grizzlies the former Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and Bowling Green star was expected to make an immediate impact. When he failed to live up to expectations Grizzlies coach Brian Hill benched him for long minutes. As the season continued his confidence crumbled and he was considered a wasted lottery pick.
"The way they handled him in Vancouver wasn't the right way to treat a player that you drafted fourth" Avery Johnson later said "He was the franchise player. And they gave up on him."
Listed a 6-4, Antonio can boast an 80 inch wingspan, large hands and remarkable athleticism. When Antonio checks into a game things happen. He might drive down the lane and thunder down a tomahawk jam over an opposing teams big man. He might fake a defender out of his boots, draw the help defenense and give off a sweet dish to set up a team-mate for an easy basket. Unfortunately he's just as likely to hit a team-mate in the back of the head with a bad pass and turn the ball over.
Antonio has been lucky to land in a situation with a team with an established veteran point guard in Avery Johnson. Johnson has served as Antonio's friend, mentor and tutor.
"I'm really crazy" Johnson said "If he improves he's going to be the guy they're looking to in the future."
"Here I am with two kids. How crazy am I to show him all of the tricks of the trade?"
Make no mistake. Tim Duncan is the Spurs franchise player who will lead the Spurs into many NBA finals campaigns in the years to come. As time goes on though Daniels minutes will steadily increase until he earns a spot above Johnson in the starting five, and becomes an integral piece of the Spurs championship quest.
The point guard position is the hardest of the five to master in NBA basketball. With a teacher like Avery though Antonio has a great advantage over most young point guards in the league.
"That position takes a big, big dose of confidence" Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has observed. "You don't get that by being in a situation that he was in last year. It's a process."
One thing is certain. It's a process that many of Antonio Daniel's converts will enjoy watching in the years to come.
Just how good can Antonio Daniels be? Step on the Soapbox and have your say.
