Laker Status Report

DEL HARRIS

Guess comments about no adjustments against the Jazz means Magic Johnson is off the Christmas card list. . . . again. Reached the 60-win plateau for the first time in his career, but continues to find the big-time unforgiving. Continuing attempt to be a players’ coach in the ‘90s is either the best thing he could do or the worst--they appreciate the opportunity to have major input on decisions, but who starts in the playoffs should not have been one of them. Is it his fault players making millions of dollars aren’t properly motivated for an appearance in the conference finals?

* Key regular-season stat: 61-21

* Key playoff stat: 7-6

JON BARRY

Played the fewest minutes (374) and had the fewest shot attempts (104) and makes (38) in a six-year career that will likely continue elsewhere next season. Life as a fifth guard in a four-guard rotation. Most chances came in blowouts, but also got an occasional chance to help protect a lead because it gave the Lakers an extra ballhandler and put one of the few trusted free throw shooters on the court.

* Key regular-season stat: 93.1% from the line, not only the best on the team, but the only Laker over 79.5%.

* Key playoff stat: 18 minutes, eight shots, no makes.

MARIO BENNETT

Made the team as a success story--the lifetime Laker fan who grew up a few miles from the Great Western Forum and arrived at camp after years of battling knee injuries and without a guaranteed contract. Then made an impact, at times as the backup power forward. Also saw how unforgiving Coach Del Harris’ rotation could be and disappeared in the playoffs. Proved he can play in the NBA, even if it will have to elsewhere to play much.

* Key regular-season stat: 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 65.9% in his four starts.

* Key playoff stat: 10 minutes total, fewest on the team.

CORIE BLOUNT

A nice second half for the second season in a row catapulted him to prominence and should serve him well as management considers whether to pick up an option for 1998-99. There’s got to be a place for a solid rebounder on a team so eager for help there. Will never be confused as part of the offense, but shot 57.2% from the field, easily a career best, with a trustworthy medium-range jump jump shot.

* Key regular-season stat: Averaged 7.5 rebounds when he played at least 20 minutes.

* Key playoff stat: Team-high rebounds in Games 1 and 2 against the Jazz.

KOBE BRYANT

A ball of fire at the start, a flameout after the all-star break, a recovery in the final weeks of the regular season, and more playoff struggles, getting hammered because of flu and the SuperSonics in the process. There’s a middle ground in there somewhere, and it’s still looking like the high ground. The expectations only need a realistic timetable, not more all-star weekend hype.

* Key regular-season stat: Averaged 15.4 points a game, the most in the NBA for someone with fewer than 10 starts and the most for a reserve in Los Angeles Laker history.

* Key playoff stat: 36.7% shooting versus the Jazz.

ELDEN CAMPBELL

That $49-million contract is looking more like a move from the Bruce McNall business school every day. Made a contribution for the second season in a row when Shaquille O’Neal was out, but not much beyond that, proving to be a capable backup center on his best days and immune to caring on every other. Lakers, meet your elder statesman.

* Key regular-season stat: 17.7 points and 8.2 rebounds in 15 December starts.

* Key playoff stat: 10.5 minutes a game against the Jazz.

DEREK FISHER

Replaced the injured Nick Van Exel and did such a commendable job that Van Exel said to take his old job back might have hurt chemistry. Developed a more-reliable outside shot, but still often out of control coming down the lane, breaking down defenses only to not finish. A better indication of the stability he brings is the 16th-place finish in the league in assist-to-turnover, not glamorous, but solid for a second-year point guard forced into difficult circumstances.

* Key regular-season stat: Lakers were 29-7 (.806) in his 36 starts.

* Key playoff stat: 49 assists against only 15 turnovers.

RICK FOX

Made bigger contributions than could be measured in statistics. His gutsy approach (playing hurt) and veteran attitude (win a championship or nothing has been won) made him a replacement in the leadership department for Byron Scott and Jerome Kersey. And his game--passing skills, defense, three-point range and the ability to put the ball on the floor--made him a necessary role player on a team with bigger names.

* Key regular-season stat: The only Laker to start all 82 games.

* Key playoff stat: Small forward was fourth on the team in rebounds, second in assists, fourth in steals and fourth in points.

ROBERT HORRY

Never really convinced anyone he was a power forward, but also never complained about the move. Instead posted the third-largest increase in the league in rebounds, behind only Erick Dampier and Theo Ratliff, got his shot back by the end of the regular season and then starred in the playoffs. To think it all may have been a temporary switch--if Fox leaves as a free agent, he could return to small forward.

* Key regular-season stat: One of five players in the league to finish in the top 30 in blocks, steals and rebounds, three of whom were all-stars.

* Key playoff stat: 55.7% field-goal percentage and second in rebounding.

EDDIE JONES

Will you remember him for the great showing against the SuperSonics or the near no-showing against the Trail Blazers and Jazz? All part of the continuing tightrope act between breaking through to the elite level and remaining a very nice player who can be an all-star but can’t create or carry a team. If those Mitch Richmond trade rumors were a bother, they may also have been a warmup. Bryant’s footsteps will be very loud come October.

* Key regular-season stat: Sixth in the league in steals, keeping a streak alive of top-10 finishes all four years as a pro.

* Key playoff stat: 37.9% shooting versus Portland, 54.4% versus Seattle, 41.2% versus Utah.

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL

Led the league in shooting, finished second in scoring and eighth in blocks and would have been fourth in rebounds but failed to meet the minimum qualifying standards. Not bad for a guy playing hurt the entire season. The finish--33.8 points, 10.5 rebounds in April--was a glimpse of the destruction that could be coming full-time in 1998-99 when healthy. Continuing to improve his footwork and passing skills--just not his free throws.(

* Key regular-season stat: Lone player in the league to finish in the top 10 in scoring, shooting and blocks and joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only to ever do it six seasons in a row.

* Key playoff stat: 30.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.62 blocks and 61.2% shooting.

SEAN ROOKS

Another season as third-string center and at the end of the bench, but not a duplicate season. Kept a good attitude and continued to work hard this time, even while getting at least 10 minutes only twice from Jan. 6 until the end. Other teams still have interest--big guy, reasonable long-term contract--so a trade is always possible. Maybe it’s time he starts rooting for one, even if it means leaving his Southern California roots.

* Key regular-season stat: Career lows in games, minutes, points and rebounds.

* Key playoff stat: four games, 11 minutes.

SHEA SEALS

Either had a life-threatening case of back spasms or the Lakers liked enough of what they saw in training camp to stash him on the injured list and carry him the entire season. Medical sources say it’s the latter. Only chance to play--four appearances, nine minutes--came when Nick Van Exel went out, but shooting guard who could play forward in a small lineup impressed enough to earn at least an invitation to summer league, and maybe more.

* Key regular-season stat: 74 games on the injured list.

* Key playoff stat: not on the playoff roster.

NICK VAN EXEL

Followed through, for the most part, on the preseason pledge to grow up, but remained headstrong and emotional. In other words, he still had the guts to take big shots, and to miss the season-ending team meeting. That will be a constant to his career, along with the troublesome knees. Equal concerns to the Lakers the rest of the way.

* Key regular-season stat: No. 1 in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio.

* Key playoff stat: 23.8% shooting.