Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 3, 1992

Once again, I will miss the competitive spirit, leadership, no-look passes, junior hook shots, smarts, and smile of Magic Johnson on the basketball court. . . .

However, he made a decision Monday that is best for him and the game he loves. . . .

He can continue to prove that someone infected with HIV can lead a normal, productive life, but it is unnecessary for him to prove it by playing a contact sport professionally on nearly a full-time basis. . . .

I wish doctors were 100% certain about all the ways HIV is contracted, but they are not. It is only natural for Laker opponents, such as Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, to have expressed concern about playing against Johnson. . . .

The integrity of the sport might have been endangered by those unwilling to engage in hard, physical contact with Johnson. . . .

After Magic’s decision, the Lakers must now be downgraded from a legitimate Western Conference title contender. . . .

Just the other day, former Clipper guard Doc Rivers said the Lakers were the team to beat in the Pacific Division. . . .

Now the race would seem to be between the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns. . . .

This is an especially difficult time for Laker first-year Coach Randy Pfund, who went through the entire training camp expecting to have Magic available for three-quarters of the games, including opening night against the Clippers Friday at the Sports Arena. . . .

This year’s batch of free agents would make a pretty fair version of an All-Star baseball team: 1B, Mark McGwire; 2B, Harold Reynolds; SS, Greg Gagne; 3B, Wade Boggs; C, Terry Steinbach; OF, Barry Bonds, Kirby Puckett and Ruben Sierra; DH, Joe Carter; RHP, Greg Maddux; LHP, Greg Swindell; reliever, Tom Henke. . . .

Biggest cinch on election day is that Dodger first baseman Eric Karros will be voted National League rookie of the year. . . .

Wayne Gretzky must be wondering why King teammate Jari Kurri didn’t play like this last season. . . .

Rita Coolidge will be the featured performer at the California Special Olympics Spirit of Friendship awards banquet Saturday at the Beverly Hilton. . . .

If I were a Raider defensive lineman, I’d much rather face Jim McMahon than Randall Cunningham. . . .

That gleaming new dome in Atlanta lost some of its appeal to the home team Sunday when quarterback Chris Miller injured his knee on the artificial turf. He will be out for the season. . . .

The 5-3 Denver Broncos have been outscored by 33 points this season. The 2-6 Detroit Lions have been outscored by two points. . . .

NFL man-of-the-year nominees include Henry Ellard, Jim Everett and Tony Zendejas from the Rams and Howie Long, Anthony Smith and Greg Townsend from the Raiders. . . .

The Washington Redskins miss Jim Lachey. . . .

Assistant coach of the year might be Bill Arnsparger, the San Diego Chargers’ defensive coordinator. . . .

Rarely does a team get the kind of linebacker play USC did from Willie McGinest and Brian Williams against Arizona State. . . .

Speed is the name of the game in the Pacific 10 Conference, where Beano Bryant and Napoleon Kaufman of Washington and Curtis Conway of USC are former California state high school sprint champions. . . .

The Pac-10 and SEC are the only two conferences with five teams each in the top 25 polls. . . .

Washington’s performance Saturday at Arizona, an 8-7 loser at Miami, will sway a lot of voters one way or the other. . . .

Baylor, Wake Forest and Eastern Michigan, looking for football coaches after this season, placed advertisements in the current issue of the NCAA News. Care to recommend anyone? . . .

Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe, who will meet in the ring Nov. 13, will compete in a bowling match Nov. 8 at the Gold Coast Bowling Center in Las Vegas, proceeds going to Cities in Schools, Inc. . . .

Lennox Lewis, who weighed 227 1/2 pounds when he knocked out Razor Ruddock Saturday night, is trying to become the first English-born heavyweight champion since Bob Fitzsimmons, who weighed 167 when he won the title from James J. Corbett in 1897. . . .

A lack of promotion hurt the Breeders’ Cup Pick Seven pool, which was nearly $3 million less than last year’s disappointing

$8 million. . . .

Charmonnier, who upset Best Pal last year, will defend his title Saturday in the California Cup Classic at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meeting. . . .

Eddie Delahoussaye is overdue for an Eclipse Award. . . .

Grete Waitz, who ran the entire New York Marathon Sunday with cancer-stricken meet director Fred Lebow, is my idea of sportswoman of the year.