Notes on a Scorecard - May 7, 1992

If you had dreamed most of your life of playing in the NBA, had been assured that you would be drafted in the first round and knew you would make a bundle of money, would you return to college to play another season without pay? . . .

I can’t blame Tracy Murray of UCLA for choosing the draft after his junior year and won’t blame Harold Miner of USC if he makes the same decision, as expected. . . .

Yes, Hakeem Olajuwon or Charles Barkley would help the Lakers in the standings and at the box office. But, no, General Manager Jerry West does not appear to have enough trade bait to tempt either the Houston Rockets or Philadelphia 76ers. . . .

Olajuwon long has been a favorite of Clipper owner Donald Sterling, whose team conceivably could offer Houston a more attractive package of younger players and draft choices. . . .

Then again, Olajuwon may be headed to another warm-weather city. Miami could send the Rockets a center, Rony Seikaly, in return and does not have salary cap problems. . . .

Adam Graves of the New York Rangers deserved more than that silly two-minute penalty Tuesday night for the vicious two-handed slash that took out Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins. . . .

A New York athlete who did himself proud the same night was Patrick Ewing, who helped spring the biggest upset of the NBA playoffs when the Knicks beat the Bulls at Chicago Stadium. . . .

Georgetown believes it got a big man to follow in the tradition of Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning when 6-foot 10-inch center Othella Harrington of Jackson, Miss., signed a letter of intent. . . .

Some NBA scouts say Tom Gugliotta, the 6-9, 230-pound forward from North Carolina State, reminds them of Detlef Schrempf. . . .

Terry Norris probably will be too strong for Meldrick Taylor Saturday night at the Mirage in Las Vegas in one of the most attractive matches of the year. . . .

However, Norris will be fighting at a maximum of 150 1/2 pounds, 3 1/2 less than he normally carries for his defenses of the World Boxing Council super-welterweight championship. . . .

This will be the 100th championship fight to be televised by HBO in the 20 years of the cable network. . . .

Donny LaLonde, who will challenge Bobby Czyz for the World Boxing Assn. cruiserweight title Friday on a pay-per-view show at the Riviera, may not be remembered as one of the great light-heavyweight champions but he collected a division-record purse of $5.2 million when he was knocked out by Sugar Ray Leonard in 1988. . . .

There is turmoil in the World Wrestling Federation, now that many of its stars are missing. . . .

Thumbs up to UCLA for opening the gates to Drake Stadium free of charge for the track meet with USC and Cal State Northridge on Saturday. . . .

Brigham Young, which was going to compete against the Bruins and Trojans last Saturday before the postponement caused by the riots, has scratched, but special events featuring Andre Cason and Calvin Smith in the sprints, Willie Gault, Kevin Young and Al Joyner in the 110-meter hurdles and Young and Nat Page in the 400-meter hurdles have been added. . . .

News item: World-class sprinter Devlon Dunn wins men’s 100-meter dash in 10.47 seconds in a meet in Japan. Reaction: Florence Griffith Joyner’s women’s world record is only two ticks slower at 10.49. . . .

Corey Williams, the Oklahoma State guard who was among the best defensive players in college basketball last season, was drafted as a defensive back in the 12th round by the Kansas City Chiefs. . . .

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn is better known, but Milwaukee Brewer outfielder Greg Vaughn may be the best Vaughn in the major leagues. . . .

George Bell apparently has not forgotten how to hit American League pitching. . . .

Tom Lasorda should give Eric Karros a chance to start at first base for the Dodgers every night, no matter if the pitcher is right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous.