Magic Has the Power to Make Us Notice

Downey’s California:

--So, naturally, a reader wrote to complain that Magic Johnson is getting too much attention.

Yeah, why would we want to give much attention to somebody who:

Is averaging 19.1 points, nine assists and eight rebounds a game . . . after sitting out 4 1/2 years . . . while playing with a deadly illness . . . who is one of the five most famous athletes on Earth . . . whose team is 6-1 since his return . . . which cost the Lakers nothing and didn’t even change their starting lineup?

Happens every day.

But OK, for the record, Nick Van Exel’s game is as good as ever, Cedric Ceballos is scoring better than ever, Vlade Divac looks reinvigorated, Elden Campbell is having his best season, and George Lynch’s defense saved a recent victory.

The only guy adversely affected, and that’s arguable, by Earvin Johnson’s return is the other E.J., Eddie Jones, although it’s nothing serious. He is no longer on the floor at game’s end, usually, but if Eddie’s a team player, he will put winning ahead of playing. And he still gets decent minutes.

One disappointment:

The Lakers still do not sell out every home game. What do they have to do, sign Julius Erving?

I am worried about Magic, though. Back two full weeks and not one 40-point, 30-rebound, 20-assist game.

--Former University of Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth stars in a new movie on HBO, former Raider lineman Howie Long appears in the new film “Broken Arrow” and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George of Ohio State is featured in a new episode of TV’s “Coach.” (Gosh, if only I had studied football so that I could be an actor.)

--Streep, Cage, Stone and Penn aren’t the only Oscar nominees. Also up for an Academy Award is producer-director Mike Tollin, a Valley resident, for his “Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream,” one of the five finalists in the Documentary Feature category. (Counting Tom, this could mean three Academy Awards in a row for Hanks.)

--Ironic, ain’t it? Hank Aaron and “Babe” being nominated the same year.

--Sylvester Stallone managed the beginning of Tommy Morrison’s boxing career in real life, as well as in the film “Rocky V,” so I hope he will be in Morrison’s corner now, with the stakes much higher. The ad campaign for the original Rocky Balboa saga was: “His Whole Life Was a Million-to-One Shot.” Those odds become Tommy’s now.

--The joke around UCLA after the Arizona game was that Jim Harrick just wanted to test his new 3-1-2 offense.

--Penalize me two minutes for meddling, but if the Kings really do intend to trade Wayne Gretzky, and if Jeremy Roenick really is on the outs with management of the Chicago Blackhawks, then wouldn’t this be a nice place to start discussion? Coach Larry Robinson said after a recent King loss that he wished his players would watch Roenick to see what hustle is. Might be nice if they could watch him nightly.

--Every L.A. hockey lover who is truly fond of Luc Robitaille should do Luc a big favor and quit hoping that the New York Rangers will trade him so that he could come back and be a King. Listen, do you people want Luc to finally win a Stanley Cup or don’t you?

--Tony Granato, get well soon. We miss ya, man.

--I see where the Angels parted company with pitcher Brian Anderson. The club is obviously looking to do something radical this season, like pitch somebody right-handed.

--Chipper Jones got big money from Atlanta. Good news for Hideo Nomo, who nosed out Jones for rookie of the year. As soon as the Dodgers give him bigger money, he will be so happy, you can start calling him Chipper Nomo.

--I would like to be the one who introduces the Dodger pitcher to the newest Mighty Duck: “Nomo, Teemu. Teemu, Nomo.”

--Knowing Dale Earnhardt, he probably will win the Daytona 500 today, then run second in the victory lap.

--Shaquille O’Neal finally sank a three-point shot. I had no idea Shaq could dunk from 25 feet.

--NBA pop quiz: Was Shaq more surly before the All-Star game or after not being voted its most valuable player? You make the call!

--I just heard Marcia Brady got the Baltimore coaching job. Why always her? Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!

--Oh, Marchibroda. Sorry.

--Good to see Jennifer Capriati with a racket in her hand again. I hope she paid for it.