The Facts

* 1996-97 record: 56-26.

* 1996-97 finish: Second in the Pacific Division, lost to Utah in the second round of the playoffs.

* Who’s new: Jon Barry, Mario Bennett, Rick Fox, Shea Seals.

* Who’s gone: Jerome Kersey, Travis Knight, George McCloud, Byron Scott.

* Projected starters: Center--Shaquille O’Neal (26.2 points, 12.5 rebounds); power forward--Elden Campbell (14.9 points, 8.0 rebounds) or Robert Horry (7.8 points, 4.4 rebounds with Lakers and Suns); small forward--Horry or Fox (15.4 points, 2.2 steals with Celtics); shooting guard--Eddie Jones (17.2 points, 2.4 steals); point guard--Nick Van Exel (15.3 points, 8.5 assists).

* Key to the season: Letting the distractions come from what other teams do on the court, not from within. This is an experienced team, but, after all, still a young team, with no player older than 29.

* Outlook: Very good. Anybody who made the Lakers favorites to win the West wouldn’t be too far out on a limb. Of course, considering the number of quality teams in the conference, they could also lose in the second round again.