Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 10, 1992

I don’t know who had more fun Sunday, Magic Johnson or the millions watching him. . . . The Legends game proved to be far more dangerous to the health of its participants than the All-Star game. . . .

Now it is not so far-fetched to imagine Johnson playing a few games for the Lakers near the end of the regular season, all at home so the travel would not wear him down, and then the playoffs. . . .

Magic, who scored 25 points, had averaged 15.1 points in his previous 10 All-Star appearances. His high had been 22 in 1990. . . .

Did you also switch channels to the Winter Olympics once or twice while Magic was on the bench? . . .

Introducing the home team, the Eastern Conference, first so Magic could be introduced last was a good idea. . . .

What would the All-Star game have been without a blimp shot from high above the Orlando Arena? . . .

I haven’t seen such great defense since the NHL All-Star game. . . .

Except for Johnson, the fans in Orlando didn’t seem to have a rooting interest. The host city should always have at least one representative in the game. . . .

Larry Brown on potential: “It gets you beat and fired. I hate the word. I want to see guys go out and overachieve.” . . .

Brown’s first eight games as Clipper coach will be against teams that currently have winning records. . . .

Brown says he likes the talent on his new team, but doesn’t know if it meshes. Translation: The Clippers eventually might make a trade for a guard. . . .

Larry Holmes might no longer have the tools, but he still has the smarts to beat most of the mediocre crop of heavyweights. . . .

Ray Mercer proved to be a better sportsman than fighter Friday. “The better man won tonight,” he said. How refreshing. . . .

However, the better man did not get his hand raised the next day in Atlantic City. Little-known David Tiberi dominated everything except the officials’ scorecards when he lost a split decision to International Boxing Federation middleweight champion James Toney. . . .

Bob Arum would like to promote a fight between Holmes, 42, and George Foreman, 43, in June. . . .

Of course, future matchups in the heavyweight division will be shaped by the outcome of the Mike Tyson trial. Evander Holyfield will defend his title next against Tyson, Riddick Bowe or Foreman. . . .

David Sample, an unbeaten lightweight who fights Fidel Avendano tonight at the Forum, is managed by referee Richard Steele’s wife, Gladys. . . .

CBS’ decision to show much of the Winter Olympics in prime time is understandable, but I lost most of my interest in the downhill hours before the telecast Sunday night after hearing that AJ Kitt had finished ninth. . . .

Forget the luge. My idea of a great slider is still Maury Wills. . . .

The opening ceremony in Albertville was marred by the wave. . . .

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a wise move by hiring sharp and energetic Ted Simmons as general manager. . . .

For the record: The Padres will play their first series of the season on the road and then return to San Diego for a four-game series against the Dodgers. . . .

The Boston Bruins probably got the better of the trade that sent Craig Janney and Stephane Quintal to the St. Louis Blues for Adam Oates, but it will be interesting to see how productive Oates is without Brett Hull at his side. So far, Oates has four assists in two games with the Bruins. . . .

After a three-year absence, Arena Football will return to the Sports Arena this spring. . . .

Best Pal, who won the $500,000 Strub Stakes Sunday and has shed his reputation as an inconsistent sort, may be developing into the best older horse in America. . . .

While Vlade Divac is recovering from surgery, another center from Yugoslavia, 6-10 Emilio Kovacic, is playing well for Biola University of La Mirada. . . .

Notre Dame basketball games are being shown on national television three consecutive weeks. . . .

After watching LSU center Shaquille O’Neal shoot free throws Saturday against Duke, I can understand why some people are calling him the next Wilt Chamberlain. . . .

So much for the theory that UCLA, which made nine of 18 three-point shots against Washington State, always will have trouble against a zone defense. . . .

If he read about Harold (Baby Jordan) Miner suffering a cut tongue, Michael Jordan must be worried. . . .

Just once, I would like to hear a college football coach say he had a poor recruiting year.