Knight Struggling to Return to Rotation

The last time Travis Knight came to Cleveland, it was for the rookie all-star game. That was in February. The good old days.

He now is not only one of the top first-year players in the league, but not even one of the top Lakers at any age group anymore, the disappearance of Knight from the rotation almost as sudden as the appearance. One day he’s the starting power forward, the next he’s playing five, three, 12, 16 and seven minutes.

The three was last Friday against the Clippers and his fewest since Nov. 24. The seven was Thursday against the Cavaliers.

“I feel I can do the things I’m doing,” Knight said. “I don’t know why I’m not doing them. I’m trying. Sometimes in this game, you get out of rhythm.”

He insists he hasn’t lost confidence, even if his appearances on the court, brief as they may be, says otherwise. Or the coach says otherwise.

“You’re not going to have confidence in his role,” Del Harris said. “His results have lagged the last eight or 10 games. But the way to get back in is the front door, not the back door. Defense, running and rebounding. Not the offense.”