Notes on a Scorecard - May 14, 1990

The Lakers have the Phoenix Suns just where they want them. . . .

Remember 1970? The heavily favored Lakers fell behind Phoenix, 3-1. In Phoenix, where they couldn’t put a pea in the desert, they were blown out by 14 and 10 points. They were accused of being too old, too tired, too slow and not hungry enough. They responded by winning the next three games easily and taking the series, 4-3. . . .

Of course, they had Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain in 1970. This year, the big three are supposed to be Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Byron Scott. The trouble Sunday in Veterans Memorial Coliseum was that only one-third of them showed up. . . .

Magic was magnificent. If the Lakers had won, this would have been remembered as one of the all-time great performances in the playoffs. But Worthy must have been a victim of the Jim Murray column jinx and Scott must not be healthy. . . .

The only significant help Magic got was from tough A.C. Green, who went to the boards with a fury despite having to limp up and down the court most of the second half. . . .

One offensive threat can’t get the job done against a young, energetic team like Phoenix. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar--even the washed-up Kareem--would have at least given the Suns something to think about. Instead, the Lakers had a hole in the middle. Mychal Thompson is hurting and Vlade Divac apparently isn’t ready for prime-time duty on the road. Besides, neither has a sky hook. . . .

Michael Jordan is the most valuable player of the playoffs so far, followed by Patrick Ewing. . . .

Only the Detroit Pistons can beat the New York Knicks by holding Ewing to 30 points in the second half. . . .

You knew the Philadelphia 76ers weren’t up to their usual rough stuff when the Chicago Bulls didn’t get to the free-throw line Sunday until well into the second quarter. . . .

And how about Easy Ed Nealy? . . .

Tommy Heinsohn, who did his last NBA telecast for CBS, isn’t the type of guy you’d expect to see wearing reading glasses. . . .

One of the most overrated statistics in basketball is offensive rebounds. To get a lot of those, you have to miss a lot of shots. . . .

Mark Eaton didn’t do much in the playoffs, but he’s wonderful in that child abuse spot on CBS. . . .

On Mother’s Day, we always find out how gentle tough guys like Rick Mahorn really are. . . . Lost Weekend: The Lakers, Dodgers and Angels were a combined 1-6. . . .

The Dave Winfield mess is much ado about very little. I mean, we’re talking about a 38-year-old outfielder who is hitting .213 and coming off back surgery. . . .

Which American League pitcher named Witt is more disappointing, Bobby or Mike?. . . .

Too bad more ballplayers aren’t as honest as the Angels’ Bert Blyleven. . . .

All things considered, the Dodgers would be better off with Steve Sax at second base than with Juan Samuel there and Stan Javier in center. . . .

The acquisition of Willie Randolph should take care of that glaring weakness of the Oakland A’s--lack of depth at second base. . . .

At least, the Dodgers are well-balanced. They ranked eighth in the National League in pitching and eighth in hitting in the Sunday averages. . . .

It doesn’t look like Storm Davis is going to get to pitch in the World Series this year, either. . . .

I guess Jack McKeon is going to have to chew out the San Diego Padres again. . . .

How can anyone who knows as much about pitching as Roger Craig have such a lousy staff?. . . .

Sunday night baseball should be outlawed. . . .

Funny, but Mike Scott (1-3, 6.27 earned-run average) isn’t being accused of scuffing the baseball this season. . . .

Eight sons of former major leaguers are playing in the Baltimore Oriole chain. . . .

I could watch the tape of the Thrilla in Manila every week and still want more of it. . . . The horsemen should allow Hollywood Park to stage some Friday night cards. Or haven’t they noticed the annual decrease in attendance and handle and increase in the average age of the patrons?. . . .

Sixteen of the 25 finalists for the GTE Academic All-America Hall of Fame said college athletes should receive stipends above tuition, fees, room and board. Substance abuse was voted the most significant problem facing collegiate sports today. . . .

This will be a highly competitive Stanley Cup series with the Boston Bruins defeating the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. . . .

Greg Norman should pray for rain every Sunday.