Fisher Makes Drastic Progress

The Laker who arguably improved the most over the summer was also the Laker who suffered the most. The two factors are not unrelated.

Point guard Derek Fisher lost an aunt in June and his maternal grandmother in September and re-dedicated himself to basketball because of it, even if his dedication was never lacking in the first place. After all, among the attributes that impressed in 1996-97, a season highlighted by a selection to the rookie all-star game, none was greater than his attitude.

And still he seems more mature now, in the opening days of training camp. The confidence gained from a very good showing in summer league at Cal State Long Beach helped. So, sadly, did the tragedies.

“It’s right on the money, really,” Fisher said of the assessment. “It gave me a real appreciation of how blessed we are from day to day.

“Even though I’m young, I still know you have to take advantage of things in front of you every day. I’m blessed to play on this team and for a great organization and in a great city. It’s a nice feeling knowing your duty is to play as hard as you can every day. I’m going to do it for my grandmother.”

He already has been.

“It’s early,” said Nick Van Exel, who will start ahead of Fisher. “But you can tell he’s worked and worked.”

Added Coach Del Harris: “He’s such a dedicated player. He was anyway and a couple deaths in his family focused him even beyond that. It’s a good example of what you can do if you have a strong purpose. He’s going to do a real good job for us this season.”

*

Even as salaries have started to escalate around him--beginning with Kevin Garnett’s new contract, and sure to continue after this season--Shaquille O’Neal said he may not opt out of his current $120-million deal in the summer of ’99 to reclaim a top spot on the money list. Of course, he added, it’s far too soon to tell.

“I’m not a greedy person,” said O’Neal, who returned to limited workouts Monday after missing two days because of a strained abdominal muscle. “I just want what’s fair. I might not even ask for a new deal. I may just say, ‘This is fair.’ ”