Notes on a Scorecard - June 9, 1994

This is one NBA finals when the crowds should be pleading, “Off-ense, Off-ense. . . .”

A million excuses were given for the lousy marksmanship in the last quarter Wednesday night, but we’ve been seeing this kind of thing in the NBA all season. . . .

It figures to be a history-making night at Madison Square Garden. . . .

If the heavily favored New York Rangers beat the Vancouver Canucks and win their first Stanley Cup since 1940, the first American winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy will be named. . . .

Ranger defenseman Brian Leetch is the runaway leading candidate for the award that goes to the most valuable player in the NHL playoffs. . . .

Second choice might be Leetch’s teammate on the 1988 U.S. Olympic team, Ranger goaltender Mike Richter. . . .

Despite the presence of Leetch and Richter, the United States didn’t win a medal at Calgary. . . .

Thumbs up to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for tabling further expansion. . . .

The Coliseum press box might have to be demolished because of the earthquake damage. . . .

Makeshift accommodations in the stands will be used by sportswriters if football is played at the Coliseum this season. . . .

The working stiffs sat outside during the 1984 Olympic Games while VIPs watched from the press box, and the same thing will happen at World Cup venues, including the Rose Bowl. . . .

Sigi Schmid, U.S. World Cup team assistant coach, says: “If I had to pay to watch any player, it would be Carlos Valderrama of Colombia. He could dribble through and around six guys in a telephone booth.” . . .

Schmid, who has coached UCLA to two national titles, points out: “Soccer is a game of turnovers, and the teams that make the quickest transitions from offense to defense and vice versa are the most successful.” . . .

Among the differences between soccer and hockey is that a penalty shot is practically a gimme in the World Cup, but none has ever been made in a Stanley Cup finals game. During his attempt Tuesday night at Vancouver, Pavel Bure made a neat move on Richter but was stopped. . . .

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I wonder how big a lead the Dodgers would have in the National League West if they hadn’t traded Pedro Martinez to the Montreal Expos for Delino DeShields. . . .

Martinez was the best middle-inning relief pitcher in the league last year. . . .

DeShields, the second baseman who replaced Jody Reed, has been the victim of rotten luck and was just starting to contribute when he was put on the disabled list again because of a finger injury. . . .

The Dodgers might get 10 years of good service out of DeShields, who is only 25. . . .

But today they are in dire need of instant relief. . . .

Dept. of souped-up baseballs: Joey Jakubiak and David Sollami are approaching the Claremont Little League single-season home run record of 13 set by Mark McGwire two decades ago. . . .

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Look for Brocco to get out of the gate in good order, unlike in the Kentucky Derby, and win the Belmont Stakes. . . .

Saturday will be a bettor’s bonanza at Hollywood Park, where wagering will be offered on the Belmont, which kicks off the Best Seven, three additional stakes from Belmont and nine live races. . . .

Billy Casper will conduct a clinic before the first Jackie Robinson Foundation Invitational golf tournament July 18 at the Riviera Country Club. The foundation gives support to 124 Jackie Robinson scholars at 52 colleges and universities. . . .

Both of USC’s first-round NFL draft choices, Willie McGinest and Johnnie Morton, have graduated. McGinest got his degree in public administration, Morton in communications. . . .

Michael Moorer and George Foreman have signed for a Nov. 5 match, sanctioned as a title bout by the International Boxing Federation. The site will be either Las Vegas or New Orleans. . . .

Zachary Padilla of Azusa will be featured on a Sunday afternoon show at the Olympic Auditorium that will be televised by CBS on July 24. . . .

Promoter Bob Arum says he is close to signing a deal to have two Olympic cards a month televised after the Friday night David Letterman show on CBS. . . .

The USA Network made a big deal about Orlando Canizales tying Manuel Ortiz’s record of 15 successful bantamweight championship defenses Tuesday night. The difference is that Canizales holds only the IBF title and Ortiz, one of the greatest 118-pound fighters ever, was undisputed champion in 1942-46. . . .

Boris Becker isn’t winning many more tennis matches than Jennifer Capriati or Monica Seles these days. . . .

XTRA radio’s Rick Schwartz says the Dodgers are taking the “c” out of closer.