Kareem Passes Test, Scores 19 Points as Lakers Win, 114-97

According to the syllabus drawn up by Laker Coach Pat Riley, Friday night marked the conclusion of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s closely watched 2-week test to remain in the starting lineup and retain significant playing time.

Some last-minute cramming may not have been necessary, as Riley indicated later. Nevertheless, the 41-year-old center had the most productive game of his evaluation period in the Lakers’ 114-97 victory over the expansion Charlotte Hornets before a Forum crowd of 17,505 that honored former Laker Kurt Rambis before the tipoff.

Abdul-Jabbar scored 19 points, his season high, making 9 of 13 shots. His 6 rebounds equaled his high during the 7-game grading period, and he also blocked 3 shots. His continued inspired play cemented his position in the Lakers’ starting lineup, at least for a while.

“Put a big gold star up on the board,” Riley said. “He has played much better during this evaluation period. But when I made that statement, I really was talking about everyone being evaluated, including Kareem.

“I think he’s shown what we, as a team, have to do, which is stretch ourselves. If any one player in the last 2 weeks became a better player, it’s Kareem.”

Abdul-Jabbar’s statistics during the seven-game grading period--during which the Lakers played only one road game, against the Clippers--proved his rejuvenation. During this span of scrutiny, he averaged 12.4 points and 4.5 rebounds and shot 53.8% while averaging 26.8 minutes per game.

That was enough to satisfy Riley. Abdul-Jabbar was not quite as impressed, perhaps remembering that on Friday, he was playing against the likes of Earl Cureton, Tim Kempton and Dave Hoppen.

“I think I made a step or two in the right direction,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “I just want to fit in with the team. I think I’m doing a better job with that. My passing, my defensive help has gotten better.

“The more I can do, in a varied kind of way, the better it is for the team.”

Rambis, meanwhile, seemed to wonder why an evaluation was needed in the first place.

“Everybody was talking about (Abdul-Jabbar) playing bad. What happened?” Rambis said, smiling. “I wouldn’t put any amount of money against him not being able to hit the hook or another shot in the important game. He’ll be a factor.”

In recent games, Abdul-Jabbar has been just that, according to Magic Johnson. Perhaps not the major factor, but at least a positive influence.

“He’s much more aggressive offensively,” Johnson said. “I think, within himself, he needed something like this (the evaluation period) to get going. He got it. Everybody needs something sometime. He set a goal, and he’s done it.”

Other developments in a routine Laker victory that improved their record to 28-13 at the halfway point of the regular season:

--Rambis, making his first appearance at the Forum since signing with the Hornets as a free agent over the summer, received a warm welcome from the fans in a pregame ceremony during which he received his championship ring. Then he scored 19 points and had 9 rebounds in 32 minutes.

“I think it was the first game all year that I was really nervous,” Rambis said. “There were a lot of memories in this place. I love those guys.

“The fans here have always appreciated the way I played. . . . I always played hard, and they appreciated that.”

--Johnson recorded his 10th triple-double of the season, but even he would probably admit that it was one of his less impressive ones. He had 12 points (making only 4 of 14 shots), 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Maybe Johnson’s performance reflected the lack of inspiration in the game, the Lakers’ last of a long home stand.

“This game was slow at times, especially in the second half,” Johnson said.

--The Lakers won without shooting guard Byron Scott, who is ill, but the loss might hit them during the 3-game trip that begins Sunday in Dallas.

On this night, the Lakers had 15 points from reserve guard Tony Campbell and 11 points and a season-high 10 assists from Michael Cooper, who started in place of Scott.

The Lakers were led by A.C. Green’s 24 points and 11 rebounds. James Worthy added 13 points and Orlando Woolridge 9.

A highlight of the night was Rambis’ ring presentation before the opening tipoff.

The former Laker, who played on four championship teams in seven seasons, received a long standing ovation from the Forum crowd. Twice when Abdul-Jabbar, the Laker captain, tried to make his opening remarks, the crowd noise interrupted him.

“We have some unfinished business to take care of,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “(Rambis) should not be considered a guest. He’s been a part of the Laker family. He did a lot to make us a success.”

After accepting the ring from Abdul-Jabbar, Rambis said: “I consider myself the luckiest man on the planet to have been a part of the Lakers. If I had retired after (last season), I would have walked away a happy man.”

Instead, Rambis wandered to Charlotte on the free-agent route. And what happened in the first half Friday was typical of what he has endured with the expansion team.

Charlotte never seriously threatened the Lakers. The Hornets pulled within 6 points in the second quarter before the Lakers regained a comfortable lead and coasted throughout the second half. Charlotte shot just 43.6% and was out-rebounded, 50-42.

“I thought we gave a pretty good showing tonight,” Rambis said. “But the Lakers are still the Lakers. And we didn’t have enough to beat them.”

But at least Rambis didn’t leave without his gift from the Lakers.

“It was really special,” Rambis said. “It wouldn’t have been the same if the UPS guy would have brought it to my house. I probably would have just thrown it under the bed, or let my kids play with it. But they would have lost it.”

Laker Notes

Friday’s victory assured the Lakers of the Western Conference’s best record going into the Feb. 10 All-Star game and clinched the West team coaching job for Coach Pat Riley. It will be the seventh time in eight seasons that Riley has coached the West team. “That’s all because of this team,” Riley said. . . . Announcer Chick Hearn, who is battling the flu, worked the game, his 2,190th straight.