Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 6, 1990

Madison Square Garden wants to build an arena in Chavez Ravine. . . .

Garden president Richard Evans, who also would like to expand operations to Europe, has spoken to Clipper owner Donald Sterling and aides of Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. . . .

The chances of Madison Square Garden West ever becoming a reality and housing teams such as the Clippers will greatly depend upon whether Spectacor constructs a new Sports Arena on a site adjacent to the existing one in Exposition Park. . . .

Visiting the Sports Arena for the Clipper-Golden State game Sunday was NBA Commissioner David Stern. “The best thing I’ve seen here was a sign outside saying, ‘I need tickets,’ ” Stern said. “For a minute, I didn’t know where I was. Then I realized it was the Coliseum.” . . .

If Stern was a little confused, it was nothing compared to the Warriors, who experienced a Clipper team without Charles Smith, Benoit Benjamin, Danny Manning and Ron Harper rallying from 20 points down to win on Ken Norman’s shot at the buzzer. . . .

New Coach Mike Schuler did a masterful job of substituting against Golden State and on opening night against Sacramento. . . .

I like Schuler’s attitude. Instead of telling the press not to go overboard over the victory Sunday, he said not to minimize it. . . .

Schuler also said the bad days of the Clippers were a thing of the past. That remains to be seen. The injury jinx isn’t gone yet. But for the first time in L.A., the franchise has both the playing and coaching personnel to reach the playoffs. . . .

The schedule maker did new Laker Coach Mike Dunleavy few favors. A team learning a new system has been asked to open the season against San Antonio, Portland, Sacramento (whew!), New York, Phoenix and then Houston and Dallas back-to-back on the road. . . .

Chuck Daly has succeeded Pat Riley as the best dressed coach in the league. . . .

Nobody has succeeded Doug Moe as the worst dressed. . . .

Former Laker Orlando Woolridge will be among the league’s scoring leaders as long as he plays for Paul Westhead’s Denver Nuggets. . . .

The Boston Celtics are 2-0 without having attempted a three-point shot. . . .

Among the rookies off to quick starts are Atlanta’s Rumeal Robinson and Miami’s Willie Burton. . . .

There is no magic in Orlando, which has lost an NBA-record tying 15 consecutive home games. . . .

And the New Jersey Nets can’t find the net on the road, where they have lost 30 consecutive games, three short of the record. . . .

Just once, I’d love to see a 20-foot jump shot off a great pick on the TV highlights instead of a dunk shot. . . .

Stern said that even the officials were cheered in Tokyo at the Utah Jazz-Phoenix Suns games there. Oh, would Earl Strom loved to have blown his whistle there. . . .

Stern on ticket prices for the NBA in Japan: “They charged $150 tops. I’m glad I came straight to Los Angeles, the only place that makes that seem reasonable.” . . .

Art Modell’s biggest mistake in Cleveland was not the hiring of Bud Carson, but, rather, the firing of Marty Schottenheimer. . . .

Mark Carrier caught five passes Sunday in Tampa--three by the Buccaneer receiver and two by his distant cousin, the Chicago Bear defensive back. . . .

Mike Ditka is doing his best coaching job. . . .

Jeff Rutledge leading the Washington Redskins to victory over the Detroit Lions? It’s been nine years since he sat on the Los Angeles Rams’ bench. . . .

The Miami Dolphins have come up with another effective no-name defense after many years of mediocre no-name defenses. . . .

What makes Joe Montana an even more remarkable performer this season is that he’s getting it done without much of a running attack. Roger Craig may be done. . . .

The Houston-TCU pass-athon Saturday in the Astrodome lasted 4 hours 4 minutes. . . .

Give Georgia Tech’s Bobby Ross a slight edge over Washington’s Don James as college football coach of the year. . . .

I neglected to mention the trainer on my all-time UCLA basketball team--Ducky Drake. . . .

If 3-3 is a disappointing road trip, the Kings must be on the right track. . . .

Now Cecil Fielder is having more trouble with Japanese pitching than American. . . .

One thing Pat Valenzuela’s absence from Hollywood Park will do is get Jose Santos more and better mounts. . . .

George Foreman, who usually doesn’t make predictions, is saying he will knock out Evander Holyfield in the second round. . . .

Did you miss the Holyfield-Buster Douglas replay on Showtime?