Ceballos Says Controversy Is Over

Cedric Ceballos was a Laker again Monday, although he was not sure where he would fit in for today’s game here against the Orlando Magic.

Ceballos was the first to arrive and the last to leave the voluntary practice at Orlando Arena. He was one of only four players to participate in the workout that included three Laker assistants but not Coach Del Harris.

Ceballos had been a starter for the Lakers until he was suspended for missing a team flight to Seattle last week. He was missing from the team from Wednesday until Sunday and later said that family problems had prompted his unexplained absence.

He indicated Monday that he does not expect to be in the starting lineup when the Lakers and Magic play their nationally televised game.

“I spoke with Coach Harris on the plane ride here and we both agreed it would be best if I got back into it gradually,” Ceballos said.

Asked if he thought being held out of the starting lineup was meant to be a form of discipline, Ceballos said no.

“The team has put in some new stuff the last week and I’ve got to get familiar with it at the shootaround [this morning] and in the next few days, that’s all,” Ceballos said.

Some of his teammates, notably Magic Johnson, criticized Ceballos for leaving the team without explanation after playing only 12 minutes in a 94-71 victory over Seattle last week. Ceballos said he has not yet talked to Johnson or any other teammates about his situation.

“It was kind of quiet on the team plane,” he said. “Nobody said anything to me so hopefully it’s all died down. We have to have good chemistry as a team when we are on the court. There are a lot of teams with different personalities that don’t get along off the court, but when they get on the floor, everything clicks and that’s the way it has to be for us.”

Ceballos also said he harbors no animosity toward Johnson and doesn’t believe Johnson, who ended his retirement in mid-season, is infringing on his playing time. Ceballos is the Lakers’ leading scorer with 22.4 points a game and third-leading rebounder at 7.1 a game. He also leads the team in minutes played with 35.2 a game.

“Magic is great for our team,” he said. “He did something immediately that I couldn’t do and that makes us a legitimate contender for a championship. He’s so talented that having him around can only be a positive for this team. I have no bitter feelings and I hope he doesn’t either.”

Ceballos said he thinks a victory by the Lakers at Orlando--the Magic have won 40 consecutive regular-season games at home, including 33 in a row this season--will help quell the controversy surrounding his situation.

“Beating the Magic would throw a lot of water on the fire,” he said.