Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 12, 1993

If Danny Manning didn’t talk so much about how he wants to leave Los Angeles sooner or later, maybe the Clippers would be a more cohesive unit, win more games and get the fan support that Manning says they deserve. . . .

You try to figure out the Lakers. I can’t. Not when they sweep their two-game season series from the Chicago Bulls and get swept by the Miami Heat. . . .

How strong is the Pacific Division? When the Seattle SuperSonics (22-8) play host to the Phoenix Suns (23-5) tonight, it will be a matchup of the teams with the two best records in the league. The third-place team, Portland, has the sixth-best record. . . .

It is no coincidence that each division leader has a superstar--Phoenix’s Charles Barkley, Utah’s Karl Malone, New York’s Patrick Ewing and Chicago’s Michael Jordan. . . .

While he still has the job, Heat Coach Kevin Loughery ought to decide that Harold Miner rates more playing time. . . .

It is hard to rap the Minnesota Timberwolves, who should be better than 6-23, for firing Coach Jimmy Rodgers. . . .

Rookie Coach Dan Issel virtually has taken Dikembe Mutombo out of the Denver Nuggets’ offense, much to the relief of defenders who no longer have to pay much attention to the 7-foot-2 center. . . .

Three seconds in the key is ignored as much as traveling in the NBA. . . .

UCLA’s game against Oregon on Thursday at Eugene will be the Bruins’ first in an opponent’s campus gymnasium this season. . . .

Thumbs up to Bruin sophomore forward Ed O’Bannon, who showed uncommon determination and scored 53 points in two games against the Arizonas despite a broken nose, which forced him to wear a protective mask. . . .

California freshman guard Jason Kidd couldn’t possibly live up to his preseason hype. He needs work on his shooting. . . .

Katie Haller, an outside hitter for the volleyball team, has become USC’s first female first-team academic All-American. . . .

The Kings couldn’t blame their 10-game winless streak on bad luck. They were outscored, 57-27, during the stretch of eight losses and two ties. . . .

If you saw the pass Wayne Gretzky delivered to Tony Granato for the breakaway, winning goal Sunday at Chicago Stadium, you know that the Great One already is in peak form. . . .

By benching Jari Kurri and Charlie Huddy, King Coach Barry Melrose showed who is in charge of his team. . . .

George Foreman blew out 44 candles on his birthday cake Sunday in Reno and then treated himself to a generous portion. . . .

If Foreman beats Pierre Coetzer and Tommy Morrison defeats Carl (The Truth) Williams as expected Saturday, a Foreman-Morrison bout probably will be held April 16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. . . .

World Boxing Council welterweight champion Buddy McGirt will risk a $1-million payday against Pernell Whitaker on March 6 when he defends his title against Genaro Leon tonight on the USA network. However, Leon’s skills never have been confused with those of fellow Culican, Mexico, resident Julio Cesar Chavez. . . .

It is beginning to sound like a recording, but the Olympic Auditorium could be reopened for twice-a-month boxing shows as early as April. . . .

Santa Anita handicappers say the track has been “playing fair,” despite the rains that have meant only three fast tracks during the first 13 dates. The record rate for off-tracks is 72.5% during the 1941 meeting. . . .

Rain or shine, Breeders’ Cup Distaff champion Paseana will make her 1993 debut Sunday in the $100,000 San Gorgonio Handicap. Like most Argentine breds, she adores the mud. . . .

An old local favorite, Hall of Fame rider Sandy Hawley, is on his way to Arcadia from Toronto by automobile. . . .

Tom Lasorda, who has addressed the cadets at West Point and the Air Force Academy, will complete the hat trick Feb. 4 when he speaks at the Naval Academy football banquet. . . .

For the second consecutive time, someone named Derek Brown will be selected in the NFL draft. Last year, the Notre Dame tight end was taken on the first round by the New York Giants. This year, the Nebraska running back has entered the draft as an undergraduate. . . .

I’ve grown weary of the Al Davis-Marcus Allen feud. . . .

Dallas Cowboy Coach Jimmy Johnson’s hairdo will get the ultimate test Sunday at Candlestick Park. . . .

Just once, I’d like to hear an NFL sideline reporter say that the team losing at halftime came out of the dressing room demoralized and with little chance of making a comeback.