He Has What It Takes and More : Lakers: First pick is Elden Campbell, a 6-11, 215-pound forward from Clemson who has plenty of ability, but questionable desire.

Which is the true Elden Campbell, the one with the numbers or the one with the look?

By the numbers, Campbell, the Laker’s first-round pick in the 1990 NBA draft, has a lot going for him.

The 6-foot-11, 215-pound forward is the leading scorer in Clemson history with 1,880 points. He followed Tree Rollins as the second Clemson player with career totals exceeding 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 blocked shots.

“We think he’s one of the most skilled players in the draft,” Laker General Manager Jerry West said. “He can block shots and that’s been a weakness for us. The way he rebounds reminds me of Larry Nance. He makes it look so darn easy.”

But listen to the whispers about the look and questions arise about the 21-year-old Campbell. The word that keeps popping up is motivation .

“He does have that look that he’s not trying hard,” said Mitch Kupchak, Laker assistant general manager. “But I wouldn’t judge a man by his look. He has great natural ability and explosive quickness. His ability to jump is extraordinary. But he’s going to have to lift his game up a level from the way he played in college. He’s going to have to step it up.”

Added new Laker Coach Mike Dunleavy, “His motivational needs have been questioned, but we do not think it’s going to be a problem.”

Bobby Hussey, a Clemson assistant, says the problem is perception rather than production.

“The misconception about Elden,” Hussey told the Greenville News, “is that he’s such a smooth player, he gets a lot of results without a lot of effort. His personality is laid back and sometimes he plays that way. Sometimes, you think he’s not doing a lot. Then, you look at the bottom line and he’s got 26 points, 14 rebounds and he’s shot 60%.”

Campbell, the 27th and final player taken in the first round, was asked if perhaps looks are deceiving in his case.

“You hit it right on the head,” he said. “It’s just a look. Don’t look for a growl or a high-five from me. See what I produce.”

That he will he producing at the Forum is pretty hard for Campbell to believe. Especially since he played his high school ball down the street at Byron Scott’s alma mater, Inglewood’s Morningside High.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Campbell said. “I cannot believe the Lakers picked me. I live just five minutes from the Forum and my family, especially my mother and father, will be able to come to all the games at home. I remember the Lakers came to my high school once, but I never thought I’d be playing for them. Just the thought of it gives me chills up and down.”

According to West, the only other player he had his eye on was Georgia Tech guard Brian Oliver, taken in the second round by the Philadelphia 76ers.

With their second-round pick, the Lakers took guard Tony Smith of Marquette as the 51st selection.

In all, the Lakers invited 11 players to work out for them in the days before the draft.

“He (Campbell) was the best,” West said. “I think he plays best inside. He’s so quick off his feet. He’s an incredibly quick jumper. He’s got a good frame and great legs.

“He needs to work on his upper body strength.”

That will be a priority with Dunleavy.

“He needs to work on getting stronger,” the coach said. “In this league, you have to bang. Any rookie coming into this league is going to have to learn about defense. It’s nothing like in college. He has the skills to pick it up, but sometimes, it takes rookies awhile.”

In his second year at Clemson, Campbell averaged 18.8 points and shot 62.9% from the floor.

But in each of the ensuing years, those totals dropped, to 17.5 and 55% in his junior year and 16.4 and 52.2% as a senior.

“My scoring average went down,” Campbell said, “because I was doing the rebounding my senior year and sharing the scoring load.”

In a tournament in San Diego, Campbell was benched by his coach, Cliff Ellis, in a losing performance against Villanova. Ellis brought Campbell back the next game against Niagara and he responded with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

“There have been times,” Ellis said, “when I’ve felt I’ve needed to get his engines revved up.”

Smith, the second Laker pick, was someone Dunleavy was intrigued by during his years as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks.

A 6-4, 205-pounder, Smith averaged 23.8 points per game last year, shooting 50% from the floor and 80% from the free-throw line.

“I know him as a player and a person,” Dunleavy said. “He’s a scorer. He scored big time for Marquette this year. He has some skills. He’s not a guy who defends quick guards. He can defend the (shooting) guard.

“He can play in this league. I feel strongly about his potential and I wanted to take somebody I feel comfortable with.”