DAVIS AND CAMPBELL REUNITE - IF ONLY FOR ONE GAME, ONE NIGHT.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

The ``Duo of Doom'' were back together - for just one game.

Former Clemson teammates Dale Davis of Indiana and the Lakers' Elden Campbell met as buddies and opponents for the first time this season on Wednesday night at the Forum. However, each shook hands with the knowledge that they had come very close to becoming teammates.

The only thing that stood in the way of that happening was, well, Shaq.

When the Lakers made their offseason plans, O'Neal was first on their wish list but not first on the possibility list. The Lakers' backup plan was to sign the 6-foot-11 Davis and Brian Williams to join Campbell in the front court.

Davis had 16 rebounds in the Lakers' 79-76 win and missed two key free throws in the last 15 seconds.

The Lakers asked Davis two days after the NBA moratorium was lifted to wait until matters with O'Neal were decided.

Davis, wanting to sign quickly, chose to re-sign with Indiana for $42 million over seven years.

``I don't think I could have gone wrong either way,'' Davis said. ``It was a good thought (playing with Elden). It's a big-time organization.''

Davis took advantage of a market that was hungry for post players. Campbell signed a seven-year, $49 million deal himself. The two are close and had the O'Neal deal not gone through, Davis would have likely been a Laker.

``I thought it would have been fun (to play with the Lakers),'' Davis said. ``I think about playing (for the Lakers) every blue moon. I'm glad everything worked out for me.''

Despite the team's early struggles, Davis is still the ninth-leading rebounder (10.3 per game) in the NBA. His workmanlike style is what attracted teams. But the Pacers, wanting to get young and also keep most of their veteran players, re-signed Davis and teammate Antonio Davis to lucrative deals.

With the addition of Jalen Rose and Erick Dampier and the loss of center Rik Smits to injury, the Pacers are not the club that challenged for the Eastern Conference title the past few years.

``With the new guys, were just trying to play together,'' coach Larry Brown said. ``We're just getting to know each other and I think we'll be OK after some more time.''

Davis was happy in Indiana and saw an opportunity to stay with a contending team, but it hasn't gone as planned. The loss to the Lakers on Wednesday was the Pacers' third straight on the road.

``The only thing we can do is play and work through things with a good attitude,'' Davis said. ``We're just not jelling yet. Once we get that down and get Rik back, it'll be OK.''

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