Lakers Have Magic Touch

The Lakers are so distracted by all the talk of a possible--probable?--Magic Johnson comeback that Friday night they only steamrolled their second consecutive opponent, beating the Philadelphia 76ers, 100-88, at the Spectrum.

Elden Campbell, the incumbent starter, is so fazed by the speculation that Johnson will revolutionize the position as a point power forward, if only for a half-season at $2.5 million, that he kicked around another opposing front line. This time, a game after hitting the Boston Celtics for a season-high 26 points, he got a career-high 18 rebounds, along with 14 points and three blocks, against the 76ers.

Just getting ready to welcome Johnson?

“Whatever,” Campbell said.

OK, but would the Lakers like the latest comeback to be a real comeback?

“I’m not commenting on that,” he said. “I’ve been through this before. I’ll just wait and see what happens.”

Like everybody else.

The possibility of Johnson’s return has the Lakers intrigued and interested and excited, but not distracted. If anything, just the opposite: They’re 4-1 since he began to make occasional appearances in scrimmages.

They imagine what it would be like if he was a part of all the practices . . . and all the games.

“My feelings have been the same since I took this job back in May 1994, so you don’t have to ask me how I feel,” said Coach Del Harris, a staunch proponent of Super Comeback XXX. “That was one reason I took the job--because I thought he was going to play again.”

And the distraction factor?

“I just think by now we’re accustomed to it,” he said. “It’s like all the earthquake talk in L.A. The rest of the country gets very unsettled by it. By now, I’m a whole year-and-a-half veteran of L.A. County and I don’t think a whole lot of it. I think our guys have done a good job of showing they can play with the rumors.”

Added guard Eddie Jones: “It’s not a distraction for us. We’re getting used to that kind of mention. We’ve got one of the best players in the league coming back. That’s only going to make us a better team.”

That feeling was echoed by many teammates.

“I’ve never heard somebody [on the Lakers] talk about it,” said Vlade Divac, along with Campbell the only holdovers from Johnson’s last season, 1990-91. “I don’t know. The media knows more than the players.

“But it would be great. He’d bring everything that we’ve missed. It would be exciting. This is a young team that needs leadership. And that’s what he brings.”

Ultimately, of course, Johnson would be able to do only so much, no matter how many positions he plays coming off the bench. The bulk of the responsibility would still fall to the same group that had a 23-point lead in the first quarter against the 76ers and then had to play most of the starters big minutes in the fourth quarter because the worst team in the league had closed within 10 points with 2 1/2 minutes remaining.

“We’ve got to succeed with or without him,” said Cedric Ceballos, who scored a game-high 31 points and perhaps provided the bottom line. “We can’t get caught up with him saving our season. We’ve got to play our own season.”

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Laker Notes

Temple product Eddie Jones, who dunked in Shawn Bradley’s face and was a hit in general when the Lakers came to town last season, played a supporting role this second time around. With about 50 friends and family members in attendance, he had 16 points and three steals, but was only five of 14 from the field. “I’m happy with my performance,” he said. “I just missed too many open jump shots.” . . . Look at all the trouble Fred Roberts caused by playing three minutes in Tuesday’s victory at Boston: The former Celtic was cheered by fans there upon entering the game late in the fourth quarter, practically a treasonous act considering he’s a Laker, and soon after was given a rousing ovation after making a basket. Some Boston players did not take kindly. “I think it [stinks],” Celtic guard Dee Brown said. “It’s very frustrating to hear that. They’re supposed to be our fans.” . . . Cedric Ceballos finished seventh among Western Conference forwards in the all-star balloting, meaning he’ll have to make it as a reserve in a vote by coaches. Those results will be announced Tuesday. Charles Barkley and Shawn Kemp are the starters and Karl Malone is an automatic for another spot, so it will probably be between Ceballos, Clifford Robinson and Sean Elliott for the final two places. Among other Lakers, Vlade Divac was fifth among centers and Nick Van Exel fifth among guards.

The 76ers’ attempt to hire Chris Ford as coach, and then fire John Lucas or relegate him to the front office, failed when Ford turned down the job Thursday, so the damage control began Friday. “After careful consideration, I am firmly convinced that John Lucas is the right man to lead this organization,” owner Harold Katz said, apparently managing to keep a straight face. In truth, the 76ers wanted Ford, the former Celtic coach with Philadelphia ties, but the sides could not agree on a contract. . . . Philadelphia’s Scott Williams, from Wilson High in Hacienda Heights, underwent surgery on his right knee Tuesday and may be lost for the season. Injuries have limited him to 13 appearances. . . . Trevor Ruffin, cut by the Lakers at the end of training camp in 1994, has become the 76ers’ starting point guard. Signed Dec. 3 after opening the season in Greece, he has been in the opening lineup in 12 of 22 appearances.