LAKER STATUS REPORT

* DEL HARRIS

Right about now, he’s probably yearning for the days when players merely griped about the rotation. Ah, the simpler days. Harris deserves his share of the blame for the Game 4 blowup with Van Exel--save the argument for the locker room the next time--but also his share of the credit for taking an injury-riddled team within seconds of a division title. You just wouldn’t want to be in his shoes after a five-game loss in the second round a year from now.

* Key Season Stat: 56-26.

* Key Playoff Stat: 4-5.

* CORIE BLOUNT

His performance during the second-half rash of injuries might not only have been for the good of the team. It might have been for the good of Blount. The final two years of his contract are not guaranteed, and his play at power forward could very well have been enough to convince the Lakers to pick up the option. A decision is due by July 1.

* Key Season Stat: Averaged 7.9 points and 9.1 rebounds in 27.5 minutes in his 18 starts.

* Key Playoff Stat: Del Harris and a shoulder injury limited him to three appearances and eight minutes.

* KOBE BRYANT

Forget that he’s 18, pretty much came in without the benefit of a training camp because of injuries, judge him as any other rookie and you still have a successful season. Overtime of Game 5 against the Jazz was an aberration. In short, when Bryant is an old man of 21, the defenders who draw the short straw and are sent out to guard him will also get a blindfold and cigarette.

* Key Season Stat: Averaged 7.6 points, but 12.4 in the 26 games when he played at least 20 minutes.

* Key Playoff Stat: Didn’t supply much offense against Jazz, but the 18.8 minutes, including 29 in Game 5, was the second-most for a reserve on either team.

* ELDEN CAMPBELL

Shockingly, he was inconsistent. His horrendous start, complete with thinly veiled digs from Shaquille O’Neal, became a marvelous showing as the interim starting center and then a very nice end of the regular season and first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers. And then came the second round against the Jazz. Still Elden after all these years.

* Key Season Stat: Increased his scoring average for the seventh consecutive season and his rebounding average for the third consecutive season.

* Key Playoff Stat: Versus Utah: 31 minutes, 5.2 rebounds, 7.8 points.

* DEREK FISHER

Went from being the most prominent of the three Laker rookies to the least, from backup point guard to out of the rotation, but the constant was Coach Del Harris regularly praising Fisher’s positive attitude and work ethic. Tenacious defender who needs to become a better shooter. Summer league should help--if all the minutes there aren’t going to Bryant.

* Key Season Stat: Committed only 71 turnovers in 921 minutes.

* Key Playoff Stat: A non-factor at 5.7 minutes in six appearances.

* ROBERT HORRY

Would like to re-sign with the Lakers this summer as a free agent, as long as the price is right. Not the kind of player you break the bank for, but the kind of player who can make the difference between a good team and a very good team. Blocks shots better than most small forwards, defends and rebounds, which makes up for the lack of consistent offensive explosion at what is usually regarded as a scoring position.

* Key Season Stat: Averaged 9.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks in 22 games after being acquired from Phoenix.

* Key Playoff Stat: From 28.6% shooting against the Trail Blazers to 54.2% against the Jazz.

* EDDIE JONES

Made the next step, from potential-filled shooting guard to all-star shooting guard. Joined Mookie Blaylock, Gary Payton and Allen Iverson as the only players in the league to average at least 17 points, four rebounds and two steals. He again got considerable time at small forward, even while being physically overmatched. Still the exciting slasher who came three seasons ago as a rookie, but also finished 24th in three-point shooting.

* Key Season Stat: His 17.2 points a game represented the most by a Laker guard in six years.

* Key Playoff Stat: Averaged 2.4 steals during the regular season, but one a game in the postseason.

* JEROME KERSEY

Wild Thing, the Lakers love you. Injuries to the starting small forwards, Cedric Ceballos and Robert Horry, meant Kersey had a much bigger role than expected, but that wasn’t necessarily bad. Not the way he played. Began the season thinking he could play another two or three years, then proved it, providing energy and effort with his 35th birthday looming that most players about 10 years younger couldn’t match. A free agent who will probably be back unless he goes for the money.

* Key Season Stat: Got a career-high six steals. Four times.

* Key Playoff Stat: Shot 48.6%, averaged 5.3 rebounds.

* TRAVIS KNIGHT

The Lakers hoped he would be this good. In about his third season. Instead, the development of the 7-foot rookie power forward, an incredible steal for the minimum of $220,000, kicked into high gear in about the third month. In the end, he had become a second-team all-rookie selection, getting more votes than all but seven players. The priority for the summer is to hit the weights.

* Key Season Stat: Grabbed 11 offensive boards Jan. 24 against Golden State, the most ever by a Laker rookie and two shy of the Los Angeles-era record for players of any experience.

* Key Playoff Stat: Harris wouldn’t send a 235-pounder out to deal with Karl Malone, so Knight got only 35 minutes against the Jazz.

* GEORGE McCLOUD

What do you mean he left the team, with permission, after being left off the playoff roster? Prove he was ever with them in the first place. Acquired at the trade deadline in hopes that his outside shooting could make a big difference, especially as air cover to help prevent Shaquille O’Neal from being double-teamed, McCloud shot 35.4% and grew frustrated with his role. That doesn’t preclude the Lakers from wanting to re-sign him as a free agent. Whether he’d return their calls, however, is another matter.

* Key Season Stat: 12.4 minutes a game.

* Key Playoff Stat: None.

* SHAQUILLE O’NEAL

Make fun of his rapping. Knock his free throws. Tell him not to jump for that lob pass Feb. 12 at Minnesota. But anyone who still doubts his work ethic and desire to be part of a championship team simply has not been paying attention. Beyond the statistics on the court and the continued generosity off, the Lakers were impressed at his strides toward becoming a leader, one of the knocks from his days with the Orlando Magic.

* Key Season Stat: The only player in the league to average at least 25 points and 10 rebounds.

* Key Playoff Stat: Shot only 49.4% and scored 22 points against Greg Ostertag in the second round.

* SEAN ROOKS

Was heading straight for being the free-agent bust of the season--for the league--when he pulled out of the tailspin and became a dependable backup center. The transition, which came after he finally got into shape, was nothing short of remarkable. His confidence at the end was obvious, as were the arrival of low-post moves that made him a decent scoring threat with O’Neal resting or recuperating.

* Key Season Stat: Averaged 12.6 points and 5.4 rebounds and shot 58.3% over the final 2 1/2 weeks.

* Key Playoff Stat: Only 54 minutes in eight appearances.

* BYRON SCOTT

The title didn’t come, but it was otherwise the season he dreamed of. He not only got the chance to be a Laker again, to play in his hometown again, but made a big contribution. The fans, in turn, appreciated him more than during the championship years. That worked out nicely since he appreciated the organization more after the three seasons away. He wants to come back for a 15th and final season, but his minutes might be earmarked for Bryant, so management needs to decide if the roster spot would be put to better use elsewhere.

* Key Season Stat: 38.8% on three-pointers.

* Key Playoff Stat: 52.4% in four games against the Jazz, before a wrist injury forced him out for the finale.

* NICK VAN EXEL

About that pledge at the start of the season to handle himself more responsibly . . . Van Exel may be adding Harris’ picture to the dartboard at home, but he may also still be the Lakers’ starting point guard of the future. Management realizes that his emotions are also a strong point, the driving force that has carried him from passed-over high school senior to NBA starter.

* Key Season Stat: Was one of only five players--along with Kevin Johnson, Rod Strickland, Damon Stoudamire and Tim Hardaway--to average at least 15 points and eight assists.

* Key Playoff Stat: 51 minutes in Game 5 vs. Utah.