Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 17, 1992

OK, Magic, what have you got for us next Sunday? . . .

Three Sundays ago, Magic Johnson provided insightful, frank commentary on the NBC telecast of the Laker-Chicago Bull game at the Forum. . . .

Two Sundays ago, he scored 25 points and was named most valuable player of the NBA All-Star game at Orlando, Fla. . . .

Sunday, he was pure Magic, eliciting laughs, tears and cheers from the capacity crowd at the Forum during ceremonies marking the retirement of his No. 32 jersey. . . .

Not even the Boston Celtics could put together a better five than the retired Lakers--Johnson and Jerry West in the backcourt, and Elgin Baylor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain in the front court. . . .

Those old pals Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain were seated in the same row, but at opposite ends. Chamberlain, who already had been introduced, applauded loudly when Abdul-Jabbar was introduced. . . .

Think the Lakers could have used Magic at crunch time against the Celtics? . . .

Street vendors sold Magic T-shirts and there is a billboard on Manchester Avenue saluting him. . . .

Thumbs up to the NBA Players Assn. for donating $600,000 to the Magic Johnson Foundation. . . .

Winnin’ Time: During Johnson’s 12 years, the Lakers had a 712-272 regular season record and a 127-60 playoff record. . . .

The Celtics showed their love and respect for an old rival by pulling up folding chairs in front of the team bench and watching the entire halftime proceedings. . . .

Look-alikes: Magic Johnson and his mother. . . .

Razor Ruddock has become a two-punch fighter. Besides left hooks, he threw some right uppercuts at Greg Page Saturday night. But new trainer Floyd Patterson has yet to convince Ruddock that jabs, right crosses, and combinations would make him an even more formidable heavyweight. . . .

Page got himself into shape 10 years too late. . . .

Most fight people believe Evander Holyfield will make the next defense of his title against Larry Holmes. . . .

I can’t recall Don King ever assuming a lower profile before one of his promotions than last week in Las Vegas after the conviction of Mike Tyson. . . .

World Boxing Council middleweight champion Julian Jackson is talented, but he proved nothing with his 50-second knockout of Ismael Negron, a challenger with a 16-8-1 record. The fight never should have been certified. . . .

International Boxing Federation junior-flyweight champion Michael Carbajal appears to be losing much of the zip and daring that once made him the most exciting performer in the sport. . . .

Boxing might be dead elsewhere, but there were shows in Las Vegas on three consecutive nights over the weekend. . . .

CBS does a lot better job on the Daytona 500 than on the Winter Olympic Games. . . .

Tune in the game against Sweden today to see if the U.S. hockey team is for real. . . .

Too many Winter Olympic events are decided by timing devices or judges. . . .

A book favorable to Jerry Tarkanian in his battle with the Nevada Las Vegas administration, “Shark Attack,” soon will be published. It is written by Don Yeager, whose “Undue Process” defended the coach against NCAA allegations. . . .

Former ESPN anchor person Kari Ross is a Las Vegas sportscaster. . . .

UCLA plays better on the road than at home. . . .

How important is the home-court advantage usually? Oregon State lost to USC, 90-73, Jan. 16 at the Sports Arena. Four weeks later, the Beavers were established as favorites over the Trojans at Corvallis, Ore., and won, 92-78. . . .

Duke is showing its class by continuing to win without Bobby Hurley. . . .

Presidents Day doubleheader: The Kings vs. the Boston Bruins at the Forum at 1 p.m., followed by the Clippers vs. Larry Brown’s old team, the San Antonio Spurs, at the Sports Arena at 7:30. . . .

The exacta of Arp and Slerp in the slop paid $27.20 in the seventh race Saturday at Santa Anita. . . .

Johnny Longden, who retired from training at 80 five years ago, has resumed his career after purchasing 2-year-old filly Fancy Stitches. . . .

Look for Plan B free agent linebacker Aundray Bruce, who has agreed to terms with the Raiders, to fulfill his potential in Los Angeles. He is the perfect Al Davis project, a college star who has been a flop in the NFL. . . .

The loneliest people at the Forum Sunday were those working the concession stands at halftime.