Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 12, 1996

The most-improved team in the NBA might be the Eastern Conference All-Stars. . . .

It’s amazing what the addition of Michael Jordan can do for you. . . .

Dennis Rodman, who puts defense over offense, would have been out of place in San Antonio on Sunday. . . .

Upset of the day was the illegal defense violation called against the West in the third quarter. . . .

Next year, maybe somebody will be called for traveling while driving the lane. . . .

NBC commentator Julius Erving was joshing when he said he is 37. He will celebrate his 46th birthday on Feb. 22. . . .

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The dismissal of Charlie Parker was inevitable. . . .

Alumnus Paul Westphal is the coach Athletic Director Mike Garrett believes can build the USC program. . . .

But the timing of Parker’s firing was curious. . . .

Why not wait until the end of the season? . . .

If nothing else, rare national attention was given Trojan basketball. . . .

News item: Jim Harrick draws key technical foul during UCLA’s loss at Stanford. Reaction: Harrick was called for a technical during UCLA’s loss at Oregon last season and the Bruins went 25-1 the rest of the way. . . .

This is not to suggest that Harrick should lose his cool every game. . . .

One of the reasons for his improvement as a coach is his bench demeanor. . . .

Stanford’s victory was incorrectly called an upset in many television and radio reports. Playing in the friendly confines of Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal was favored. . . .

A consensus of rating services put USC fourth in the nation in college football recruiting. No. 1 was Ohio State. . . .

Among Trojan recruits was defensive back-wide receiver Nestor Garza of Notre Dame--Notre Dame High in the San Fernando Valley, that is. . . .

Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden on the plight of offensive linemen: “They’re not an exciting group. Those poor guys don’t have any stats.” . . .

Northwestern didn’t have a highly rated recruiting year, meaning the Wildcats probably will be back in the Rose Bowl in four years. . . .

Oscar De La Hoya faced a vastly inferior opponent in a tuneup fight on Friday, but showed another facet to his all-round game when devastating body punches quickly wore down Darryl Tyson, who fell in the second round. . . .

Tyson’s ribs must have felt like Genaro Hernandez’ nose did. . . .

De La Hoya opened as a 3-1 favorite over Julio Cesar Chavez for their June 7 bout at Caesars Palace. . . .

A fighter to watch tonight at the Forum is unbeaten super-bantamweight prospect Nestor Garza. . . .

Garza, 19, a stablemate of Marco Antonio Barrera, has knocked out 17 of his 18 opponents and fought a total of only 32 rounds. . . .

“At this stage of his career, Garza is better than Barrera was,” manager Ricardo Maldonado said. . . .

The Southern California Striders, who were the nation’s premier track and field club from 1955-80, are having a reunion luncheon April 27 at the Veterans Memorial Building in Culver City. Those interesting in attending should contact Syd Kronenthal at 310 253-6661. . . .

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If Serena’s Song wins the Santa Maria Handicap Saturday as expected, don’t be surprised if Wayne Lukas’ filly runs in the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap on March 2. She could get as much as a 14-pound weight break from Cigar. . . .

Of course, Heavenly Prize got a 13-pound break from Cigar in the Donn Handicap and it didn’t do her much good. . . .

Which former Colt is going to be the next Baltimore coach, Don Shula or Ted Marchibroda? . . .

The nerve of Marchibroda to ask Indianapolis for a two-year contract after losing to Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game. . . .

Thumbs up to the Mighty Ducks for the trade that brought Teemu Selanne to Anaheim. They sent Winnipeg two rookies who were first-round choices, Oleg Tverdovsky and Chad Kilger, but the high-scoring Selanne is only 25. . . .

Three days later, the Kings traded Pat Conacher to Calgary for Pat Ferguson. . . .

Now that the Kings have acquired Ferguson, I assume that Wayne Gretzky will stay.