Rooks Is Ready for a Fresh Start

Sean Rooks doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

He says he weighs about the same as at the end of last season, not the perfect situation but an encouraging sign nonetheless for his future in Los Angeles and the Lakers’ frontcourt depth. But it’s just not true. Not even close.

He lost 235 problem pounds around the Fourth of July alone--when Travis Knight left to become a Boston Celtic.

He ditched the gray-cloud attitude that proved to be the cement shoes nearly heavy enough to drag his entire 1996-97 season under.

He came to training camp Friday so strong, he could hold his head high, not just shake it back and forth, as if wondering what could have been.

The new season has also brought a new Rooks. The same player who wonders, fairly, if teammates lost confidence in him last season is intent to show his worth, even if that comes as the third-string center with limited minutes, even if for now that simply means working hard every day in workouts.

“Just in case they doubt if I am going to compete,” he said the other day.

Rooks showed at his first Laker camp in Honolulu, fresh off signing a seven-year, $13.44-million deal to be the first big man off the bench, except that it was a poor showing. Heavy, and therefore unable to use the moves he needed to be the effective low-post scorer the Lakers anticipated, he lost that spot, then any contact with the rotation.

Knight, meanwhile, was blossoming far ahead of schedule. He took over the prime reserve role, playing power forward when Elden Campbell spelled, and later replaced, Shaquille O’Neal at center. Rooks averaged only 7.8 minutes in the opening month of the season, 4.9 in December and 4.8 in January. Rooks went into a funk.

Good thing O’Neal hurt his knee. Given an unexpected opportunity, he started completing the wind sprints in practices, instead of bailing out of the optional workouts because he figured he was already in good enough shape to do the pregame layup lines and then take a seat for the night.

From this came a comeback. Over the final 10 games of the regular season, he shot 58.3% and contributed 12.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 23.5 minutes. In his only three starts, April 2-6, Rooks, down to about 280 pounds on his 6-foot-10 frame, went for 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in 37 minutes while shooting 65.2%.

Bad months salvaged by good weeks. The ones that followed were just as important, Rooks deciding over the summer to bring a new attitude along this fall.

“Whatever happens, I’m going to try to keep the team in mind,” he said. “If I don’t play as much as I’d like to, I’ve got to stay ready anyway.

“Anybody is going to get down. You’re not playing, not contributing, you’re going to wonder what’s going on. It took a toll on me. That’s one thing that’s definitely going to change this year.”

It apparently already has.

“When I first looked at him, I didn’t think, really, he was in shape,” Coach Del Harris said. “His weight was marginal. I hope to get him down a little more.

“But I’m telling you. The guy has done a great job. He’s hung in there. He certainly came in better shape than last year. I’m pleased with his effort. He stayed on the court and didn’t put his head between his legs and crawl off. He’s done all right. I’ve been very pleased with what Sean has done.”

A good start. Or at least a good second start.