Notes on a Scorecard - March 4, 1993

Danny Manning or Larry Brown? . . .

Owner Donald Sterling might have to decide whom he would rather keep, the best player in the history of the Los Angeles Clippers or the best coach. . . .

The chances of Manning, whose contract expires after next season, re-signing with the Clippers are zilch as long as Brown remains. . . .

Manning’s dislike of Brown, which began at Kansas, although they wound up winning a national championship together, is the primary reason that the forward who played in the All-Star game last month has expressed a desire to leave. . . .

The combination of a new coach and a lucrative, long-term contract might persuade Manning to stay with the Clippers in a city where he enjoys living. . . .

The honeymoon between Brown and the Clippers appears to be over, which is not a shock, considering their track records. . . .

Brown recently said he was frustrated by the team’s inability to trade Manning or re-sign forward Ken Norman, who can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. . . .

Brown also has questioned the decision-making process of the front office, which includes Sterling, General Manager Elgin Baylor and vice presidents Harley Frankel and Andy Roeser. . . .

The Clippers have had seven coaches since Sterling became owner in 1981 in San Diego. Brown has had seven coaching jobs in 21 years. . . .

There are those who believe UCLA will take the decision out of Sterling’s hands by hiring Brown after this season. . . .

However, that is unlikely. Chancellor Charles Young and Athletic Director Peter Dalis were burned by Brown in 1988 when he changed his mind at the last minute about returning to UCLA. Besides, the Bruins have a coach, Jim Harrick, who has another year remaining on his contract. . . .

After a fan berated him during the Clipper-Houston game Tuesday at the Sports Arena, official Darell Garretson looked into the stands and said calmly, “I’m glad that meets with your approval.” . . .

Charlotte Hornet rookie center Alonzo Mourning might be the best shot-blocker to come into the NBA since Bill Russell. . . .

My first-team All-Americans: Calbert Cheaney (Indiana), Chris Webber (Michigan), Jamal Mashburn (Kentucky), Bobby Hurley (Duke), J.R. Rider (Nevada Las Vegas). . . .

Second team: Anfernee Hardaway (Memphis State), Glenn Robinson (Purdue), Eric Montross (North Carolina), Rodney Rogers (Wake Forest), Chris Mills (Arizona). . . .

Hardaway will go much higher than Rider in the next NBA draft if he skips his senior season as expected, but Rider is having the more productive year. . . .

Thumbs up to North Carolina Coach Dean Smith and his wife, Dr. Linnea Smith, for donating $100,000 to various non-athletic programs at the university. . . .

Reggie Perry will be converted from quarterback to safety when USC opens spring practice March 12. . . .

Based purely on box-office receipts, the hockey team should be called the Aladdins of Anaheim. . . .

Reign Road, who will have to come from far off the pace, has been impressing clockers during workouts for the Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday. . . .

Trainer Mel Stute, on why Portoferraio, who was beaten 17 1/2 lengths in an allowance race, will run Saturday in the Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita: “The owner (Fernando Jorge Vallejo) just bought a new jet and wants to fly up from Buenos Aires to see the horse run on Saturday.” . . .

Jerry Dunn, a massage therapist from Indianapolis, plans to run a record 93 marathons in 1993. He will compete in the L.A. Marathon on Sunday and run the same course Saturday. Dunn will turn 47 this year and says he wants to honor the memory of his father, who died at that age. . . .

USC track and field Coach Jim Bush, who used to complain about foreign athletes being able to compete for U.S. schools, has a good one in Balazas Kiss of Hungary, who broke the Trojan hammer throw record by 15 feet last week. . . .

Muhammad Ali spent hours signing autographs in China, where he was part of the promotional team for the fight show at Beijing last week. . . .

Newly painted on the side of the building at 18th and Grand: “Grand Olympic Auditorium.” . . .

At last, the exhibition baseball season opens Friday--the Dodgers against the New York Yankees at Vero Beach and the Mighty Angels against San Diego at Yuma. . . .

I’m tired of George Steinbrenner already.