Has He Told Payton, Kemp This Theory?

Seattle SuperSonic Coach George Karl has an interesting outlook on superstardom in the NBA.

“I don’t know about watered-down talent, but I have noticed watered-down superstars,” Karl said. “They aren’t superstars. The quote-unquote superstars who are supposed to carry their teams, aren’t.

“They’re not special. They think they’re special, they act like they’re special, they get special accolades. [But] they’re selfish and statistically oriented.”

Karl wouldn’t supply names, so make your own judgments.

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Trivia time: Who was the last Heisman Trophy winner to be taken first in the NFL draft?

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Wake ‘em up: Coach Terry Crisp of the Tampa Bay Lightning, after his team lost to Montreal on Monday night, 4-2: “Six of the last eight games we’ve played well enough to win, but different players fell asleep every time.”

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Like watching TV: Goaltender Jocelyn Thibault of the Canadiens, screened on Paul Coffey’s winning goal in a recent Hartford Whaler victory: “I didn’t see it at all. I just learned he scored when they made the announcement.”

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Say it, Charles: Houston Rocket forward Charles Barkley is apparently not convinced that the Lakers are NBA championship contenders.

“We’re playing for the championship,” Barkley said. “Only three or four teams are playing for the championship.”

When asked if the Lakers are one of those three or four, Barkley smiled and said, “I don’t want to voice my opinion.”

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The Golden Koala? Greg Norman, after winning the Australian Open, said of Tiger Woods: “I think he got the flavor of what Australian golf courses are all about and will understand why Australian golfers are so successful.”

Somebody remind the Shark that the course was designed by that renowned Australian, Jack Nicklaus.

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Lick ‘em: The U.S. Postal Service will issue four stamps honoring legendary football coaches next year. The faces of Bear Bryant, Vince Lombardi, George Halas and Pop Warner will be immortalized.

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Zap: David Letterman on boxing’s recent heavyweight championship fight: “Evander Holyfield was the underdog [against Mike Tyson], 11-1 underdog, and as a matter of fact not too many people bet on Holyfield. It was just his family and a few football players from Boston College.”

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The kid is tough: After being elbowed by the New Jersey Nets’ Jayson Williams, Utah’s Karl Malone dismissed it as, “nothing to me. I mean Junior [Malone’s son] hits harder than that.”

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Trivia answer: Vinny Testaverde, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987.

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And finally: Owner Wellington Mara was in a jovial mood after his New York Giants upset the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and he couldn’t resist a jab at Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ flamboyant owner.

“It’s always nice to see arrogance humbled,” Mara said. “I enjoy it very much. I wouldn’t mind if you used that quote.”