Blount Knows Role Now

His was the Laker season that, in essence, ended before all the others last spring, thanks to a shoulder injury that brought an impressive second-half run to a screeching halt just in time for the playoffs. Corie Blount corrected that problem with arthroscopic surgery in June.

So much for the body. Off-season treatment for the soul, that arrived too, with the reserve forward saying he grew emotionally during the summer and came to accept his role, even if it never really changed during his first two seasons as a Laker.

“It’s basically the same since I’ve been here,” Blount said. “But I’m more focused now. And I believe in myself more.”

It could be a form of repayment to the Lakers for picking up his option in July, except that Blount did it more for his own emotional well-being. The increased confidence. The acceptance of being one of those caught in Coach Del Harris’ quirky rotation. The understanding that what happened in March and April proved he could make a major contribution.

What happened in March and April, in fact, was the best run of his four-year career. With the Laker front line falling all around him, because of injury (Shaquille O’Neal and Robert Horry) or rookies hitting the wall (Travis Knight), Blount helped keep the Lakers afloat by averaging 9.1 points and 8.4 rebounds while starting 16 games in a row. He had one 12-game stretch of six double-doubles after getting only two in the previous 230 outings as a pro.

The shoulder injury did what many opponents couldn’t down the stretch. But at least he had that two-month run to take into the summer. What happened next appears as a carryover.

“Probably so,” Harris said. “It’s really predicated by his own focus and determination. He really wants to succeed. And while everybody wants to succeed in life, some people show stronger evidence of doing something about it. I admire that about him.”