The Players

JON BARRY (Guard)

* No. 20. 6-5, 210. Sixth season.

The free-agent signee will be the fifth guard, primarily backing up Eddie Jones and Kobe Bryant. He won’t only take Byron Scott’s spot there, though probably with fewer minutes, but will be a three-point threat off the bench. He also may play the point in a pinch.

MARIO BENNETT (Forward)

* No. 23. 6-9, 235. Second season.

Made a big impression the first week of camp and has probably earned the only available roster spot. He’s very active and athletic and can defend both forward spots.

CORIE BLOUNT (Forward)

* No. 43. 6-10, 242. Fifth season.

Short of counting on the same string of injuries that afflicted the frontcourt the second half of last season, he’ll have to impress with far fewer minutes.

KOBE BRYANT (Guard)

* No. 8. 6-7, 210. Second season.

His offensive game remains hyperactive--still dribbling into trouble, still taking the occasional bad shot--but the improvements are also apparent in this area. Plus, he’s bigger and stronger as a 19-year-old and, in another change, will be in the rotation from the start. The player of the future isn’t doing so badly now.

ELDEN CAMPBELL (Forward/Center)

* No. 41. 7-0, 255. Eighth season.

Whether he holds on to his job as the starting power forward, his production will still go a long way to determining the Lakers’ fate. Should have a new offensive role either way, becoming more of a face-the-basket player when Shaquille O’Neal is also on the court instead of his usual post-up game.

DEREK FISHER (Guard)

* No. 2. 6-1, 200. Second season.

He’s still a solid backup point guard, only better than before. That might be a natural progression after a rookie season, but the Lakers have been especially pleased with his improvements. It’s all the more important considering Nick Van Exel’s knee injury.

RICK FOX (Forward)

* No. 17. 6-7, 242. Seventh season.

Solid in most areas and very good in some, having finished fifth in the league in steals last season. It’s a nice Laker pairing with Jones, who finished fourth. The ex-Celtic will have a major role even if he doesn’t have a full-time starting role.

ROBERT HORRY (Forward)

* No. 5. 6-10, 230. Sixth season.

Finally gets practice time to feel comfortable as a Laker, after being acquired midway through 1996-97, playing 12 games, and then going out for six weeks because of a knee injury. May become more of a bruiser this season, but his game is still as a runner.

EDDIE JONES (Guard)

* No. 6. 6-6, 200. Fourth season.

Having established himself as an all-star, he now wants to establish himself among the best of the best. Probably won’t have to play small forward any more, a role that has been passed to Bryant, so that will save some pounding. He’s thankful.

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL (Center)

* No. 34. 7-1, 315. Sixth season.

The challenge of his first Laker season was to live up to the expectations of the $120-million contract. The additional responsibility this time comes from the training-camp declaration that he will become the team leader. Just in case he didn’t put his reputation on the line enough with “Steel.”

SEAN ROOKS (Center)

* No. 45. 6-10, 260. Sixth season.

May slip to third-string center, depending on Campbell’s role. But there have been almost as many positive comments about his attitude in training camp alone as all of last season.

SHEA SEALS (Guard)

* No. 24. 6-5, 210. First season.

On the bubble for a roster spot, but he has impressed more with each week.

NICK VAN EXEL

* No. 9. 6-1, 190. Fifth season.

Remember when the biggest concern coming into the season was his attitude? It has become his left knee, likely to be an ongoing concern. Teammates have always rallied behind him, so his presence is important for emotional reasons too.