Spur-of-Moment Recollection?

San Antonio forward David Greenwood, asked about memorable games, said in the Spurs’ newsletter: “The first year I was in the league, I was with Chicago and we played Boston in the opening game. They were the defending champions. It was at Chicago and it was a sellout.

“We played them to the wire and I had a great game. I had something like 20 points and 12 rebounds. Chicago had some outstanding games against Boston, and it proved to be the first of several good games I had against Boston.”

Said the Boston Globe: “Well, there’s nothing wrong with that recollection . . .

--”Other than that the 1979-80 Chicago opener was at Golden State.

--”Other than that the defending champions that season were the Seattle SuperSonics.

--”Other than that the first Boston-Chicago meeting that season was Jan. 16, 1980 in Boston.

--Other than that Greenwood’s totals in that first game against the Celtics were 10 points and 7 rebounds.

--Other than that his career average in the 27 games he played against the Celtics while at Chicago was precisely 10 points and 7 rebounds.

“But other than those few little nitpicks, it was a nice anecdote.”

George Raveling, whose USC basketball team is 4-0 against minor-league opposition, had this to say when he was accused of loading up his schedule with patsies at Iowa: “I know a lot of coaches who loaded up with powerhouses who are now working at K mart.”

Buffalo Coach Marv Levy, who has a master’s degree in history, made this declaration after the Bills clinched the AFC East title: “We have liberated Paris, but it’s 600 miles to Berlin.”

He added: “I’ll be on the injury list for strained analogy next week.”

Trivia Time: If Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State wins the Heisman Trophy, he will be the eighth junior to win the award. Name the other seven. (Answer below.)

Would-you-believe-it Dept.: From the Sporting News: “Linebacker Lawrence Taylor played 33 holes of golf the day before the New York Giants lost in Phoenix. Taylor, who shipped his clubs to Arizona during the week, got a 6:45 a.m. tee time and made it back before team meetings, then returned to the course after practice.”

Macho Man: Dexter Manley of the Washington Redskins, on his rivalry with the Chicago Bears: “The Bears are afraid of me, but I’m not afraid of them. That’s why Mike Ditka and me don’t get along. I’m strong-willed, and he is, too. If he came into my face hollering like he does to some of his players, I’d slap his mustache off.”

Add Manley: From Phil Jackman of the Baltimore Evening Sun: “Home Team Sports previews its Dexter Manley’s ‘Redskins Preview’ by suggesting, ‘Call in for the inside word from Dex.’ After watching No. 72 closely for a half against San Francisco, I have a question for Dex: ‘What do you do for a living, big guy?’ ”

37 Years Ago Today: On Dec. 1, 1951, Mississippi’s Arnold (Showboat) Boykin scored 7 touchdowns, still a National Collegiate Athletic Assn. record, as the Rebels beat Mississippi State, 49-7. Boykin scored on runs of 85, 21, 14, 12, 14, 1 and 5 yards. He totaled 187 yards on 14 carries, a 13.4 average.

Trivia Answer: Doc Blanchard, Doak Walker, Vic Janowicz, Roger Staubach, Archie Griffin, Billy Sims, Herschel Walker.

Quotebook

Minnesota Vikings guard Randall McDaniel, after facing Indianapolis Colts nose tackle Joe Klecko: “He told me he’d castrate me, break my neck and kill me if I cut his legs out from under him again. I just let it go in one ear and out the other.”