Blount Adds Touch to His Game

This won’t do much for his growing reputation as a rebounding specialist, but the guy who has posted the second-best rebound-per-minute average on the Lakers, the guy who has greater efficiency there than almost any reserve in the league, is shooting 66.7%.

Corie Blount would be leading the NBA in that category if he had enough attempts to qualify. But even the limited opportunities, about four a game, cannot diminish that the backup power forward has quietly become a minor offensive weapon to help the Laker frontcourt through the weeks without Shaquille O’Neal.

In the last seven games, Blount has averaged 6.7 rebounds in 21.7 minutes--and 7.4 points while shooting 62.2%. Some of that can be attributed to put-back rebounds, but some also has been earned with a medium-range jumper that deserves respect.

“I’m comfortable out there now,” he said. “That’s all that is.”

That’s unlike last season, when Blount was reminded how difficult it can be to make a shot while looking over your shoulder. But the new attitude he flashed since the start of training camp, understanding his role and working at not getting frustrated when Coach Del Harris makes a lineup change, has paid off in his offense as well as the rebounding. “It was kind of tough going out there, with every move I would make waiting for him to say I did something wrong,” Blount said. “Now, I know all I can do is go out there and bust my butt and play free and wild. It’s paying off.”

TONIGHT Los Angeles vs. Dallas

* 6:30

* Fox Sports

West

Site--Forum.

Radio--KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Records--Lakers 16-5, Mavericks 5-16.

Record vs. Mavericks--1-0.

Update--The Mavericks are 1-4 since Don Nelson became coach, at least if you want to count what went on Friday in Salt Lake City as a full game: Utah Jazz 68, Dallas 66, with Nelson, the master of gimmick lineups, going with stall ball. He won’t commit to it as the full-time game plan. Bring extra coffee just in case.