Notes on a Scorecard - March 24, 1994

Magic Johnson was a great coach on the court. . . .

Now the question is what kind of a coach he will be on the bench. . . .

For sure, his fire will be a welcome change of pace from the laid-back approach of Randy Pfund. . . .

Johnson’s basketball smarts were second to none during his 12-year playing career. . . .

But being a star Laker player is no guarantee that someone will become a star Laker coach. . . .

George Mikan was 9-30 at the start of the 1957-58 season before Minneapolis rehired John Kundla. Jerry West’s Los Angeles teams were 145-101 from 1976-77 through 1978-79, but only 8-14 in the playoffs. . . .

In the book, “Nothing But Net,” written by Bill Walton with Gene Wojciechowski, Walton says West, Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor and even Wilt Chamberlain of San Diego Conquistador infamy arguably were among the worst coaches. . . .

“They couldn’t comprehend why every player wasn’t great, or why every player didn’t share their love of the game,” Walton said. . . .

The year after West was elevated from coach to general manager, the Lakers won the NBA championship. . . .

The drafting of Magic Johnson had something to do with it. . . .

These Lakers won’t be able to pick anyone resembling a potential franchise player unless they overcome enormous odds in the draft lottery. . . .

It is a shame that they probably don’t have enough trade bait to make a deal that would enable them to draft Jason Kidd. Just imagine, the ultimate point guard, Magic, tutoring the next great point guard. . . .

However, they are eligible to sign a quality free agent, such as Horace Grant or Danny Manning, who could help to turn a young team around quickly. . . .

The timing of the Johnson hiring seems curious, but wouldn’t the Dallas Mavericks be better off today if they had brought in Quinn Buckner late last season? . . .

Magic’s presence will boost season-ticket renewals and sell some seats the remainder of the season, particularly for his debut Sunday at the Forum against the Milwaukee Bucks and his last NBA coach, Mike Dunleavy. . . .

But, in the long run, coaches don’t sell tickets. . . .

Winning time does. . . .

It is safe to assume that Magic has a brighter future as a coach than as an interview show host. His special last week on the Fox Network, “One on One With Magic Johnson,” finished last among 94 shows in the national Nielsen ratings. . . .

This nearly became the first NBA season since 1970-71 not to have a coaching change. . . .

During the NCAA West Regional semifinals at the Sports Arena today, the focus will be on coaches with established ties. . . .

Norm Stewart has been at Missouri for 27 years, Denny Crum at Louisville for 23, Jim Boeheim at Syracuse for 18, and Lute Olson at Arizona for 11. . . .

Louisville, which won the Metro, is the only conference tournament champion among the Sweet 16. Missouri, Syracuse, Arkansas, Tulsa, Maryland, Boston College, Florida, Connecticut, Marquette, Duke and Kansas were also-rans. Arizona, Michigan, Indiana and Purdue didn’t play in conference tournaments. . . .

Missouri has a deeper bench than Syracuse, but Boeheim thinks it might not make a difference. . . .

“Substituting is something you almost don’t have to do anymore,” Boeheim said. “You used to have to give players some two-minute rests. Now they get them every five minutes because of the TV timeouts.” . . .

This could be the last time the Sports Arena, which is smaller and older than Anaheim Arena, is host of a postseason tournament. . . .

Regional final tickets always are easier to buy from brokers than semifinal tickets because the losers leave town. . . .

Syracuse forward Lucious Jackson, on why he doesn’t play one-on-one with his father, Luke, a member of the 1967 Philadelphia 76er title team that many consider the best ever: “He’s 6-9 and he weighs 330 pounds. He’s finished.” . . .

Three potential NCAA championship game rematches remain: Michigan vs. Indiana from 1976, Louisville vs. Duke from 1986, and Indiana vs. Syracuse from 1987. . . .

It is strange how many teams are so adept at the three-point shot and so lousy at the one-point shot. . . .

Above all, I hope that Magic’s health allows him to have a long, successful run as Laker coach.