Van Exel and Finley "understand what kind of team we are and the kind of basketball we play and they want to fit into that kind of team," Tim Duncan said. "That's the best part about it."
So far, Van Exel has been impressed by his new team's humility.
"There's not a lot of arrogance about them even though they've won three of the last (seven) championships — from the management on down to the players," he said. "That's unbelievable. When you win championships, your head can get a little bigger, but these guys are very low-key and down to earth. I like that about them."
Van Exel also has learned this about the Spurs: "If you don't play defense," he said, "you don't play."
Although Van Exel never has been considered a strong defender, even when he was young and healthy, the same was said of Danny Ferry, Brent Barry and Kerr, all of whom survived in the Spurs' system.
"There are a few things I've already learned in training camp," Van Exel said of the team's defense, "that we've never done since I've been in the league."
His teammates have tried to help shorten the learning curve.
"Guys are always talking to me," he said. "Everybody wants to see me succeed."
