Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 26, 1991

Maybe this not-so-old and not-so-nice guy named Olden Polynice is just what the Clippers need. . . .

“We’re not a very enthusiastic basketball team,” Coach Mike Schuler said after the Clippers zoomed past the magical .333 mark by whipping the Denver Omelettes Sunday. “Polynice brings us enthusiasm.” . . .

Polynice created some Sports Arena lore in the third quarter when he bawled out teammates Gary Grant and Ron Harper for helping 5-foot-11 Michael Adams to his feet after knocking him down. . . .

“Before the million-dollar contracts, they used to knock a guy down and, instead of helping him up, knock him down again,” Schuler said. “That used to happen all the time. Now, most of these guys are friends.” . . .

The Clippers are 2-0 with Polynice in uniform since the trade that sent Benoit Benjamin to Seattle for Polynice and two first-round draft choices. “That’s a pretty good move,” said Schuler, smiling for at least the third time in February. . . .

Their “Wait Until Next Year” act grew stale long ago, but not being in serious playoff contention could be a curious blessing for the Clippers. . . .

If they had been battling for the right to be eliminated by Portland or the Lakers in the first round, they probably wouldn’t have traded Benjamin. Instead, they would have lost him to free agency at the end of the season and received nothing. Polynice and two first-round draft choices are considerably better than nothing. . . .

At one time Sunday, the Clippers had what must have been the lowest numerical lineup in NBA history: No. 0 Polynice, No. 1 Gary Grant, No. 3 Ken Norman, No. 4 Ron Harper and No. 5 Danny Manning. That averages out to 2.6. . . .

What Polynice lacks is a good pair of hands. . . .

The winning entrant of a San Francisco newspaper contest to nickname the Golden State Warrior threesome of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin was “Run TMC.” . . .

I’m surprised that Pooh Richardson has become such an outstanding NBA player. . . .

Blame the salary cap for the lack of action before the trade deadline. . . .

Bernard King will join Elgin Baylor, Adrian Dantley and Bob Pettit as the only NBA forwards to average at least 20 points in 11 seasons. . . .

Marty Blake, the NBA director of scouting, says there are more senior prospects in the Big Eight than any other conference. . . .

I’ve grown weary of hearing about teams that are “on the bubble” for the NCAA tournament. . . .

Players for Yeshiva University in New York City are wearing both American and Israeli flags on their jerseys. . . .

George Raveling’s nickname is “Rav,” but his monogrammed shirts say “Rave.” . . .

What Hector (Macho) Camacho lacks is much of the quickness and energy that he displayed early in his career. He has also shown less inclination to take chances since being hurt by Edwin Rosario. That’s why Greg Haugen was able to steal rounds from him. “It was a classic case of will beating skill,” said HBO commentator Larry Merchant. . . .

More Merchant: “Haugen was so hyped up that he sounded like Dick Vitale during the prefight interview.” . . .

Caesars Palace wants to stage a Haugen-Camacho rematch in July at Lake Tahoe. . . .

Terry Norris vs. Donald Curry is probable for May or June. . . .

Fight fan Gene Hackman says Rafael Ruelas, who headlines tonight’s card at the Reseda Country Club, reminds him of a young Alexis Arguello. . . .

Look-alikes: Stefan Edberg and Don MacLean. . . .

One reason the L.A. Open field was only so-so is that it was the last before the PGA Tour moved to Florida, and a lot of the golfers took the week off. . . .

New York writers are urging the Mets to sign Doc Gooden and the Islanders to sign Pat LaFontaine. . . .

The San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers have looked at suspended shotputter Randy Barnes. Although he stands 6-4 and weighs 317 pounds, Barnes didn’t play football at Texas A&M.; Another former Southwest Conference shotputter is Michael Carter of the 49ers. . . .

In four years, retail sales of Major League Baseball Properties have risen from $200 million to $1.5 billion. . . .

Tonight’s date: The high-scoring Kings, with Wayne Gretzky, against the high-scoring Pittsburgh Penguins, with Mario Lemieux, at the Forum. . . .

Among the most improved Kings this season is Prime Ticket commentator Jim Fox. . . .

Thumbs up to the University of Alabama for switching back from artificial turf to grass at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. . . .

In “L.A. Story,” Steve Martin missed showing fans arriving at Dodger Stadium in the second inning and leaving in the seventh. . . .

Isn’t it time for the often-injured Bo Jackson to pick one sport or the other?