Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 6, 1996

Now that Gail Goodrich has been voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, maybe UCLA will retire his jersey. . . .

The rule that limits the honor to those Bruins who were selected as NCAA players of the year is absurd. . . .

So was the voting for the outstanding player of the 1965 NCAA tournament. . . .

Goodrich scored 42 points, then a championship-game record, in the Bruins’ upset of Michigan. . . .

But the award went to Bill Bradley, who scored 58 points in Princeton’s consolation game victory over Wichita State. . . .

Brothers Tracy and Cameron Murray and their cousin, Lamond Murray, all played basketball at the Sports Arena on Saturday. . . .

Only Tracy was successful. . . .

He scored 17 points in the Toronto Raptors’ overtime victory over the Clippers. Lamond scored two for the Clippers, one fewer than Cameron scored for USC in its defeat by Oregon. . . .

Del Harris believes Magic Johnson’s defense is underrated. . . .

“He’s a good team defensive player like Larry Bird was,” the Laker coach said. “He is not what you would call a stopper, but he’s a drifter and a floater who has a great feel for what he has to do.” . . .

Among other things, Johnson’s return has sharpened the Lakers’ home-court advantage. Capacity crowds are the norm again at the Forum, and the fans no longer sit on their hands. . . .

NBC commentator Bill Walton said there was too much substituting during the San Antonio-Orlando game on Sunday. . . .

Walton’s mentor, John Wooden, often used only seven players during UCLA games. . . .

Jason Kidd, the Dallas Maverick guard who was co-NBA rookie of the year last season, is improving. . . .

*

As part of his HBO contract, Oscar De La Hoya will be paid $1.5 million for fighting Darryl Tyson on Friday night at Caesars Palace in a tuneup for De La Hoya’s bout June 7 against Julio Cesar Chavez. . . .

Chavez will be paid $650,000 for fighting Scott Walker. . . .

However, Chavez-Walker will be recognized as the main event at the suggestion of De La Hoya. . . .

“Chavez is a great champion and I think it’s appropriate for me to fight on the undercard Friday,” De La Hoya said. . . .

The possibility exists that De La Hoya, who turned 23 on Sunday, might be giving Chavez, 33, too much respect. . . .

That happened to Sugar Ray Leonard the first time against Roberto Duran. . . .

The wording on Johnny Tapia’s trunks, “Mi Vida Loca,” means “My Crazy Life.” . . .

Marco Antonio Barrera’s trunks say “Tapia,” which is his mother’s maiden name. . . .

The crowd of 7,912 at the Forum on Saturday was enthusiastic but very well behaved. . . .

Former promoter Don Fraser, referee Lou Filippo and trainer Robert Alcazar will be honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club at its 29th annual dinner March 16 at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City. . . .

Marla Runyan, who will run the 880 at the L.A. Invitational Feb. 24 at the Sports Arena, is legally blind. . . .

No horse that ran over the weekend in Arcadia should keep Cigar awake nights, worrying about the Santa Anita Handicap on March 2. . . .

Helmsman, winner of the Strub Stakes, has become a picture of consistency, but his figures don’t compare favorably with Cigar’s. . . .

Cigar will race for the first time this season in Saturday’s Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park, the race he won last year after Holy Bull broke down. . . .

Despite a late start, new UCLA football Coach Bob Toledo is working hard at recruiting. . . .

Toledo’s opening assignment against Tennessee at the Rose Bowl on Sept. 7 will be taxing, but he can seek advice from offensive line coach Steve Marshall and defensive backfield coach Larry Marmie. . . .

Marshall was hired away from Tennessee last month and Marmie last year. . . .

Kevin Williams, the former USC wide receiver who died in a train accident last week, was the first player signed by the Los Angeles Express of the old USFL in 1983. He was also a member of the great San Fernando High teams that featured Charles White. . . .

Does anyone remember who won the Pro Bowl? . . .

I don’t know which was more surprising, the Chicago Bulls rallying from 31 points down to take the lead against Denver on Sunday or the Nuggets rallying from three points down to win.