PRO BASKETBALL DAILY REPORT : Don’t Confuse Campbell for Money Player

Earning a seven-year, $49-million contract in the summer was one thing--earning being a subjective word, considering his career season of 1995-96 consisted of 13.9 points and 7.6 rebounds--but that’s nothing compared to the challenge ahead for Elden Campbell. That’s proving he deserves it.

Then again, there’s always the Campbell theory:

“There’s no pressure, because I get paid regardless.�

So simply say there are certain expectations that come from others now that he is among the salary elite, even if the $49 million shortly after Shaquille O’Neal signed for $120 million was like scooping up a handful of change as long as Jerry Buss already had the cash register open.

“I don’t have to live up to money,� said Campbell, who was in his familiar role as the starting power forward when the Lakers opened exhibition play Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets in Honolulu. “I have a position I play and I have a role I play. I live up to that. But I never want to get where I have to live up to some money.�

*

A year ago at this time, Derek Fisher was preparing for his senior season at Arkansas Little Rock, a Sun Belt Conference school. Now he looks over and sees O’Neal as a teammate.

“It’s real weird,� Fisher said. “But that’s probably why I don’t have a lot of reaction. It’s so weird, so amazing, there’s nothing really you can say.�

*

The result of the game against the Nuggets, which began at 10 p.m. PDT, was unavailable at press time. The teams meet again Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. in Honolulu). . . . The Lakers will wear old-style uniforms--blue and white with “Los Angeles� in cursive across the chest--in the Dec. 27 game against the Boston Celtics at the Forum. Most teams will use throwback attire at some point as the NBA celebrates its 50th anniversary.