There were signs of progress from Dallas? third guard in the Mavs? 119-108 victory over Seattle on Monday. Van Exel scored 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-4 from the arc and 2-of-2 from (way behind) the line.
     ?I?ve been doing a lot of extra shooting,?? said Van Exel, whose additional work has been supervised by assistant Rolando Blackman. ?I?ve been down on myself for not shooting well. I put pressure on myself to help the ball club.??
     Van Exel said the coaching staff ? especially Don Nelson and new best pal Del Harris ? have been trying to get the newcomer to relax. But Van Exel knows the best way to find his comfort zone.
     ?The extra shooting,?? Van Exel said, ?is what helps me relax.??