Notes on a Scorecard - April 17, 1991

Earvin Johnson Jr. isn’t the same guy he was 9,898 assists ago. . . .

He is even more genuine, more caring, more accommodating, more charitable and more thankful. . . .

I mean, Magic even thanked sportswriters by name after breaking Oscar Robertson’s record Monday night at the Forum. . . .

An assist, according to the NBA rule book, “is credited to the player tossing the last pass leading directly to a field goal, if and only if the player scoring the goal responds by demonstrating immediate reaction toward the basket.” . . .

Magic, James Worthy and Byron Scott were the only Lakers who played both Monday and on April 5, 1984, when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set the career scoring record in a game against the Utah Jazz at Las Vegas. . . .

Ever see players warm up with 5:19 left in the second quarter? That’s what happened before play resumed after the Magic ceremonies. . . .

Johnson changed jerseys at halftime. . . .

Magic, on his first NBA assist: “I don’t remember it, but it had to be to Kareem, posting up for a hook shot.” . . .

Sherman Douglas is the NCAA career assist leader with 960 at Syracuse in 1986-89. . . .

Magic is second on the NBA steals list with 1,691. Maurice Cheeks of the New York Knicks leads with 2,066. . . .

If you’re Mike Dunleavy, how much do you rest your starters in the last three games of the season? The Lakers can’t finish higher or lower than second place in the Pacific Division, but home-court advantage in a possible NBA championship series against the Chicago Bulls or the Boston Celtics is still to be determined. . . .

The Clippers sending several first-round draft choices--or this year’s lottery pick--to Dallas for guard Derek Harper is a trade that would make sense. . . .

Look for George Raveling to sign a renewal of his contract at USC any day now. . . .

You can tell whom people will be rooting for Friday night in Atlantic City, N.J., when they talk about the “Foreman fight.” . . .

There will be a two-ring circus at the Forum, where live bouts will be staged while the TV screen shows the undercard before the Foreman-Evander Holyfield heavyweight title fight. . . .

Two heavyweights who used to own shares of the title, Tim Witherspoon and Tony Tucker, will meet on the Virgil Hill-Thomas Hearns card June 3 at Caesars Palace. . . .

Say this much for actor Mickey Rourke, who will make his professional boxing debut next month in Florida: He has sparred with some of the toughest guys at the Broadway gym in South Central Los Angeles over the years. . . .

Another quarterback whose NFL draft stock has risen is Scott Zolak, 6 feet 5 and 228 pounds, from Maryland. . . .

Paul Coffey sure gave the Pittsburgh Penguins a pick-me-up. . . .

If you’re going to commit murder in the NHL, do it in the final two minutes of a game and you won’t be caught. . . .

Al Michaels has purchased a half-interest in Barraq, a highly regarded 4-year-old from France who will make his Southland debut Thursday at Santa Anita in a mile turf race for trainer Gary Jones. . . .

Hollywood Park has changed the name of its opening-day feature from the Debonair to the Harry Henson Stakes, in honor of the man who was the track announcer from 1958 until his retirement in 1983. . . .

At least one Eastern turf reporter says Fly So Free is still the probable Kentucky Derby favorite despite his defeat at Keeneland Saturday. . . .

John Candelaria could prove to be the left-handed reliever the Dodgers needed so badly, if he isn’t overused. . . .

The Giants’ battery Monday night at Candlestick Park was Black and Decker. . . .

Maybe the Boston Red Sox got a bargain in Matt Young, who gave up only two singles in nine shutout innings of his Fenway Park debut. . . .

No complaints about their big trade yet from either the Toronto Blue Jays or the San Diego Padres. . . .

Nolan Ryan is 6-16 against the Baltimore Orioles. . . .

Cleveland Indian outfielder Albert Belle, known as Joey when he played at Louisiana State, is beginning to live up to his potential while battling a drinking problem and a hot temper. . . .

USC outfielder Mark Smith is among the first 14 invitees to the U.S. national team tryouts. . . .

Baseball must be a dangerous sport. There were 29 National League players on the disabled list on opening day. The Montreal Expos had eight. . . .

Walker Cooper, who died last week at 76, had a .285 career batting average in 18 seasons. Try finding a catcher now who can hit .285 in one season.