Nick Van Exel is embarrassed when he thinks of the way he and Steve Nash were humbled by Sacramento's guards in last season's playoffs.

In case you've forgotten, Van Exel shot 1-of-17 from 3-point range in the series against the Kings. Nash, while better offensively than Van Exel, never did figure out how to slow down Kings point guard Mike Bibby, who had a coming-out party by shredding the Mavericks' defense.

Even on the eve of a chance for redemption, Van Exel couldn't argue with what people said last year ? that he was schooled by Bibby's backup, Bobby Jackson.