It Can’t Hurt to Have a Wizard on Your Side

Considering the timing of his announcement Tuesday, it’s possible Pete Dalis looked into the stands at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, saw UCLA’s basketball past, John Wooden, and possibly its future, Baron Davis, and decided Steve Lavin was the man for the present.

I’m not sure of all the factors involved in the UCLA athletic director’s decision to delete the interim from Lavin’s title as head coach, but I do know Wooden’s endorsement was a plus for him.

It wouldn’t be accurate to say Wooden is Lavin’s mentor. Wooden, however, has taken an almost paternal interest in Lavin that wasn’t evident in his relationship with most other UCLA coaches since his retirement 22 years ago.

Before the victory over Arizona at Pauley Pavilion last month, Wooden even made a rare appearance in the locker room to address the team.

He is too much the gentleman to have asserted himself into the process. He wouldn’t even comment Tuesday on whether he felt he had any influence.

But it’s clear he and Dalis were of the same mind. Wooden has told anyone who sought his counsel, including Dalis, that Lavin has restored discipline to the program. Wooden also has said that UCLA, whether the decision went for or against Lavin, had to move quickly in order to move ahead with recruiting.

That is where Davis enters the equation. It has been reported in recent days that the Santa Monica Crossroads point guard, considered one of the nation’s best, has expanded his list to eight colleges. It also has been reported in recent days that he would sign with UCLA if Lavin were named head coach.

That’s a decision for another day. But if he does go elsewhere, it won’t be because he didn’t know who would be coaching him.

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A recent survey by America Sports Data, Inc. revealed that the athlete least capable of exerting a positive influence on consumers is Tonya Harding. She ranked one place lower than O.J. Simpson. . . .

Despite drinking four or five Long Island ice teas before flipping her Mercedes, Oksana Baiul told Oprah Winfrey she wasn’t drunk. “I am Russian,” she said. Tell that one to the judge. . . .

Representing Los Angeles’ potential bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics at U.S. Olympic Committee meetings this weekend in Philadelphia will be Harry Usher, second in command to Peter Ueberroth in 1984. . . .

Reports have resurfaced that Donald Sterling is considering moving the Clippers to the Pond of Anaheim, but a more likely scenario is that he would take his team to a proposed new arena in Inglewood if the Lakers go downtown. . . .

Even if the Coliseum is rebuilt in Exposition Park for an NFL team, refurbishing the Sports Arena isn’t part of the project. . . .

Latest to commit to the Nissan L.A. Open Feb. 27-March 2 at Riviera are Nick Faldo and Mark O’Meara. . . .

Replacing Mike Keenan with Joel Quenneville as coach was a great move for the St. Louis Blues but not for the Kings. They have the Blues’ first-round draft choice, which becomes less valuable with each St. Louis victory. . . .

Lothar Osiander hasn’t signed a contract to coach the Galaxy this season, but a sign that negotiations are going well is that he signed a new lease last week on his Pasadena apartment. . . .

If I could be anywhere in the sports world tonight, it would be at London’s Wembley Stadium for a World Cup soccer qualifying match between England and Italy. England is favored to beat the Italians for the first time in 20 years. . . .

How about those reports Shawn Kemp had seven drinks the night before Seattle played an afternoon game against the Chicago Bulls? But I’m sure he wasn’t drunk. He’s Russian.

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Major league baseball and the players’ association are formulating a plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s major league debut on April 15 at a game in Shea Stadium between the Dodgers and New York Mets.

Although he isn’t confirmed, President Clinton has been invited to make a presentation to Robinson’s widow, Rachel, during a fifth-inning break at second base. That undoubtedly would be the most star power the Dodgers would have at second base all season.

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While wondering if “Secrets and Lies” is about Bill Parcells, I was thinking: the Academy will pay for not nominating Michael Jordan for best actor in “Space Jam,” the Denver Nuggets should hire Mitch Kupchak as general manager, the Angels fortunately didn’t have the same designer as the Denver Broncos.