Campbell Finally Adjusting to Shaq

Better late than never--especially since never is always a possibility--Elden Campbell has started to find his game, or at least is learning how to play alongside Shaquille O’Neal.

“He has looked every bit as good these last five games as last year, when everybody talked about him,” Coach Del Harris said. “He’s just been terrific.”

Campbell is contributing 12.9 points and 8.4 rebounds and shooting 50.7% the last seven games. Although not overwhelming, that production about matches his 1995-96 output. And these numbers come with an asterisk: The Lakers have had two blowouts in that stretch, so the starters got an early hook both times and Campbell played only 26 and 29 minutes. The highlight game was against Orlando’s Horace Grant, when Campbell had 12 rebounds and 10 points.

Now comes an opportunity to continue the improvement, tonight at Sacramento. Campbell averaged 17.3 points and 10.8 rebounds and shot 50.9% in four games against the Kings in 1995-96, mostly against Brian Grant. But Grant is injured, so he will face Michael Smith and undersized Corliss Williamson.