Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 19, 1991

Without Magic Johnson, the Lakers are 5-3. With him a year ago, they were 3-5. . . .

Are they overachieving briefly in the face of adversity or are they talented enough to continue to play better than .600 basketball when reality sets in? . . .

Last year they had just begun a winning streak that reached eight games and were still learning Mike Dunleavy’s system. . . .

If Dallas is asking for Vlade Divac for Derek Harper, the Lakers should not make the deal. . . .

Isiah Thomas wanted to show John Stockton who really belonged on the U.S. Olympic team when Thomas scored 44 points in the Detroit Pistons’ victory over the Utah Jazz Friday night. . . .

Golden State Warrior Coach Don Nelson and his rookie center, Victor Alexander, attended a weight-loss center together during the off-season. . . .

When and if Bill Fitch gets bounced by the New Jersey Nets, NBC and Clipper TV analyst Mike Fratello will be in line to succeed him. . . .

As was illustrated twice during the Houston Oiler-Cleveland Brown game Sunday night, the problem with instant-replay reviews in the NFL isn’t the concept, but the execution. Too many officials in the press box seem reluctant to overrule those on the field. . . .

On the NBC pregame show, Bill Parcells said he thought football was losing some athletic 6-foot-4 or 6-5 types to basketball in high school. . . .

Six days before the UCLA-USC game, the Raiders got major contributions from several former Bruins and Trojans against Seattle at the Coliseum. The ex-Bruins: Jay Schroeder, Max Montoya and Jerry Robinson. The ex-Trojans: Marcus Allen, Don Mosebar, Riki Ellison, Ronnie Lott and James FitzPatrick. . . .

Joe Gibbs has always been considered one of the most creative coaches in football. Now that he has every tool imaginable, it’s no surprise that the Washington Redskins are putting up such big numbers. . . .

The Redskins can finish the regular season unbeaten by beating Dallas at home, the Rams at Anaheim, the Cardinals at Phoenix, the New York Giants at home, and the Eagles at Philadelphia. . . .

It’s no longer just Sam Wyche. Every week, an NFL coach flips his lid about the officiating. This time, it is Jimmy Johnson. . . .

Pat Haden is a rare radio and TV football analyst who practices word economy. . . .

What a football weekend in San Diego! First, the 52-52 tie between San Diego State and Brigham Young. Then the Chargers’ last-minute victory over the New Orleans Saints. . . .

John Friesz might be the next good quarterback in the NFL. . . .

Whoever would have thought that Eric Dickerson and Herschel Walker would be such non-factors in what should be the prime of their careers? . . .

Bruce Jenner’s agent, George Wallach, will represent the current world decathlon champion, Dan O’Brien. . . .

Eddie Delahoussaye is a tough guy to beat in the Derby, whether it’s the Kentucky Derby or the Hollywood Derby. . . .

What’s the cure for an amateur hockey team with a five-game losing streak? A date with the San Jose Sharks. Team USA won the other night in Oakland, 6-2. . . .

Cardinal Roger Mahony, Jim Murray, Rod Steiger and Darryl Strawberry were honored by the Los Angeles Press Club at its Headliners’ Award dinner last week. Only Strawberry was a no-show. . . .

Morton Moss, former Los Angeles Examiner sports editor, died Nov. 9 at 77. . . .

Todd Worrell, attempting a comeback, threw well for the St. Louis Cardinals’ Florida instructional league team. . . .

The Chicago White Sox would love to bring back Bobby Bonilla, who played briefly for them in 1986 before being traded to Pittsburgh for Jose DeLeon, and put him next to Frank Thomas in their batting order. . . .

Shortstop Bret Boone figures to make the Seattle Mariners’ roster next season. If so, the Boones, including father Bob and grandfather Ray, would be the first three-generation major league family. . . .

A key executive with the new Colorado Rockies franchise in the National League is Steve Ehrhart, former president of the United States Football League. . . .

Free agent Dickie Thon wouldn’t make a bad backup shortstop for the Dodgers. . . .

The Cleveland Indians got themselves some last-place insurance when they traded quality--Greg Swindell--to the Cincinnati Reds for quantity. . . .

Absurdity of the week: The USA Today/CNN poll ranks Michigan (9-1) third and Florida State (10-1) fourth. Florida State defeated Michigan, 51-31, Sept. 29 at Ann Arbor, Mich.