Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 21, 1994

Another record appears to be in jeopardy tonight at the Sports Arena when the Clippers entertain Shaquille O’Neal and the Orlando Magic. . . .

After all, O’Neal’s franchise single-game scoring record is only 53 points. . . .

Clipper General Manager Elgin Baylor was asked how opponents might be able to keep O’Neal in check. . . .

“Legally?” Baylor said. “Maybe triple-team him with big bodies. . . .”

O’Neal has succeeded Michael Jordan as the biggest drawing card in the NBA, but, surprise, plenty of good seats are available for his only Sports Arena appearance of the season. . . .

He won’t return to L.A. until April 2 against the Lakers at the Forum. . . .

The Chicago Bulls scored 63 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night. . . .

On March 28, 1990, Michael Jordan scored 69 against the Cavaliers. . . .

*

Emmitt Smith’s injury isn’t the Dallas Cowboys’ only worry. . . .

Troy Aikman still hasn’t returned to peak form after his concussion and didn’t complete a pass to Alvin Harper Monday night in New Orleans. . . .

Larry Allen, the 330-pound Dallas tackle who became an instant hero of Dan Dierdorf and other large people when he ran down linebacker Darion Conner after Conner had made an interception, played as a freshman at Compton’s Centennial High. . . .

But Allen attended three schools the next three years, finished at Vintage High in Napa, Calif., and became the first player drafted by the NFL from Sonoma State, a Division II school that doesn’t offer athletic scholarships. . . .

In the spring of 1987, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded Steve Young to the San Francisco 49ers for second- and fourth-round draft choices and cash. . . .

The Buccaneers took Miami linebacker Winston Moss, now with the Raiders, with the second-round pick and Arizona State wide receiver Bruce Hill with the fourth-round pick. . . . USC Coach John Robinson is delighted that the Trojans will be playing a 12th game this season. . . .

“We’re a young team and basically we’re getting an extra spring practice,” he said about the drills that began last week for the Cotton Bowl game against Texas Tech on Jan. 2. “We also have a new defensive line coach (Rod Marinelli) who’s able to see what we have.” . . .

Delon Washington, the freshman tailback who hasn’t played since the Penn State game because of eligibility questions, has been impressive in practice and, according to Robinson, will get more than 10 carries against the Red Raiders. . . .

“Everything about the Cotton Bowl is very positive,” Robinson said. “We’ll be staying at a fabulous hotel and practicing at Texas Stadium next week. These people do it big time. About the only negative could be the weather.” . . .

Robinson remembers his first Ram team playing the Cowboys in Irving, Tex., in a wild-card playoff game on Dec. 26, 1983, when the temperature was “about 15 degrees.” However, they still were able to win, 24-17. . . .

Thumbs up to Keyshawn Johnson, the Trojan wide receiver who spoke to young football players ranging from high school to Pop Warner League age Saturday at Jefferson High. A microphone wasn’t available and he put so much into his inspirational talk that he lost his voice and later was speechless for one of the rare times in his life. . . .

Former USC Coach Larry Smith believes the change from artificial turf to grass at Missouri next season will help recruiting. . . .

Ivan Lendl, who retired Tuesday, never sold tickets or won a Wimbledon singles championship, but should be remembered for his serve, forehand and durability and his success in the U.S. Open. . . .

North Carolina is ranked first in the nation in men’s basketball and fourth in women’s. No school has scored a double in the NCAA Division I tournaments. . . .

Are you ready for pro beach soccer? Teams from the United States, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Mexico will compete in the world championships in Rio de Janeiro in January, and an international tour is planned for next spring and summer. . . .

Texas Tech Coach Spike Dykes on the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ size: “They’re as big as Russia.”