Notes on a Scorecard - May 11, 1993

Randy Pfund deserves a contract extension. . . .

Improvement is what you want most from a rookie, and the Lakers got that from their first-year coach at the most important time of the season. . . .

The preparation by Pfund and his staff should not be overlooked among the reasons for the Lakers’ surprising showing against the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs. . . .

While he is at it, Jerry Buss also ought to sign potential free agent A.C. Green, the heart and soul of the team, to a new contract. . . .

I’m still campaigning for the Lakers to make a trade, move up a couple of notches in the draft, and select the point guard they badly need, Bobby Hurley of Duke. . . .

If Hurley had been running the Laker offense Sunday in Phoenix, do you think they would have wound up taking a three-point shot just before the end of regulation time with the score tied? . . .

Doug Christie, who has a terrific attitude and good tools, is going to be a solid pro, but his future would seem to be at big guard, small forward or both. . . .

Let’s hope that Paul Westphal’s speech after Game 2 has been replayed on TV for the last time. . . .

The Boston Celtics would like to acquire Danny Manning a year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, but the problem is that they have little to offer the Clippers. . . .

The biggest worry of rival general managers is that the Orlando Magic will get lucky in the lottery and be able to pick high enough to land Chris Webber. . . .

If Vlade Divac and Elden Campbell did it, shouldn’t San Antonio aircraft carrier David Robinson be able to exploit the hole in the middle of the Phoenix defense? . . .

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The Colorado Rockies exceeded the 1-million mark in home attendance on their 17th date. The 1974 World Series champion Oakland Athletics drew 845,693 in 81 regular-season home games. . . .

What were the chances that at the start of the sixth week of the season, Kirk Gibson would be leading the American League in hitting and Andres Galarraga the National League in runs batted in? . . .

Damon Buford--the son of former Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Oriole, USC and Dorsey High outfielder Don Buford--is playing center field for the Orioles. . . .

David Cone of Kansas City, who lost a two-hitter Sunday, and Jim Abbott of the the New York Yankees, who couldn’t hold a six-run lead Saturday, are a combined 1-10. . . .

The Toronto Blue Jays didn’t use a pinch-hitter until their 31st game. . . .

Surest cure for the Atlanta Braves’ hitting slump was a weekend at Mile High Stadium in Denver. . . .

If they truly have pennant aspirations, the Angels should acquire a relief pitcher. . . .

By the way, the Florida Marlins’ Bryan Harvey has 10 saves. . . .

I still can’t get used to talking about the game at Wrigley Field “last night.” . . .

Hitting for the cycle, such as the Cubs’ Mark Grace did Sunday against San Diego, is less common than a no-hitter in major league baseball. . . .

*

USC is seeded No. 1 and UCLA No. 2 for the NCAA men’s tennis tournament beginning Friday at the University of Georgia. . . .

Personal Hope, who led the Kentucky Derby much of the way before fading to fourth, may be able to keep his speed going for the entire Preakness distance of 1 3/16 miles Saturday in Baltimore. . . .

Thousands of inner-city children are participating in organized sports for the first time at Compton College during the Learn and Play Olympic Sports Program, sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles. . . .

Julio Cesar Chavez says he will weigh no more than 143 pounds, four under the limit, for his welterweight title bout against Pernell Whitaker in September. . . .

Bob Arum is making all the right promotional moves with Oscar De La Hoya. . . .

Unlike the Lakers against Phoenix, a speed-up game would favor the Kings against the Canucks tonight in Vancouver. . . .

The next time the Montreal Canadiens play the Buffalo Sabres, I’m picking the Canadiens to win, 4-3, in overtime. . . .

I like James Lofton, but should a wide receiver who is going to be 37 this season have been among the Raiders’ top priorities?