LETTERS : POINTING FINGERS AT VAN EXEL AND CAMPBELL.

Now that the Lakers have been eliminated from the playoffs, the very first thing management must do is get rid of that emotional child who calls himself Nick Van Exel.

WILLIAM FLEISHMAN

Van Nuys

I have been a Lakers fan since the days at the Sports Arena with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor and want to go on record as saying that if the Lakers keep Elden Campbell they will never be a great team. With the present talent they will always be good but not great. Campbell pouts every time he gets a ``bad'' call. The man does not have the attitude to be of value over the long run. He plays only when he wants to. Maybe $50 million does that to people.

MELVIN ESTIN

Studio City

Remember one thing before you assault the modern, spoiled-brat Lakers again: The Lakers were the more talented team, but Utah was the better team. It was the same thing in 1968 when Boston beat the Lakers of Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain. This is not something new.

PHIL SWEET

North Hollywood

Bad Bruins

It seems that our Bruins friends over in Westwood these days are having a tough time sorting out their priorities.

Now with every element of sports (and life itself), there is the risk-reward factor.

If you are going to jeopardize your entire athletic program (No. 1 in the nation, according to Sports Illustrated) by bringing in a hired gun to win an NCAA championship, you want to make sure that the risk is commensurate with the reward. Now you might bench the rules to win a football or men's basketball title (See Sam Gilbert), but for a women's softball championship? Gimme a break!

DOUG HAYS

Glendale

Blue Dodgers fan

So it sounds like Rupert Murdoch's first order of business will be to tear down Dodger Stadium and put up a theme park. There is no better place to watch baseball than Dodger Stadium on a summer night with Vin Scully on the radio. Don't take that away.

SAL SCAVO

Burbank