NBA Trivia That Fits Any Occasion

Harvey Pollack, longtime director of public relations for the Philadelphia Warriors and 76ers, has some obscure statistical gems in his annual yearbook. For example:

* Michael Jordan got called for traveling only 18 times last season.

* Shawn Kemp led the NBA by getting called for three-second violations 38 times, including twice in one game seven times.

* Shareef Abdur-Rahim led the league by having his shot rejected 161 times.

Trivia time: Who led the NBA in three-point-play attempts last season?

Fuzzy thinking: Fox studio host Terry Bradshaw, when asked to identify the dominant teams in the NFL this year, replied, “Denver and New England.”

New England? The Patriots have an 8-5 record. Bradshaw ignored San Francisco (11-2) and NFL champion Green Bay (10-3).

Elder respect: Seattle Seahawk rookie cornerback Shawn Springs, on his veteran teammate, 41-year-old quarterback Warren Moon:

“I was a little boy going to football camps and I knew all about Warren Moon. Now, I look at him and think, ‘Man, you’re older than my father!’ ”

Icarus syndrome: Calgary defenseman Tommy Albelin, borrowing from Greek mythology to explain his team’s troubles:

“We tend to get too high and fly too close to the sun and the wings melt and we fall down in the ocean.”

Obsessed: Navy, which plays Army today, has lost five consecutive games to the Cadets, but it’s not for lack of trying.

Said Navy defensive tackle David Viger, “From the first day you arrive and they shave your head as a freshman, everyone talks about beating Army. They beat it into you: ‘Beat Army! Beat Army! Beat Army!’ ”

Next project: Michael Ventre of MSNBC, on San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds having his marriage annulled:

“Now that he has succeeded with that attempt, he is then expected to ask major league baseball to erase all his postseason stats.”

Looking back: On this day in 1930, Notre Dame routed USC at the Coliseum, 27-0. It was the last game Knute Rockne coached. He died in a plane crash March 31, 1931.

Trivia answer: Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, with 87, converting 64.

And finally: Dave Kindred in the Sporting News, on NFL quarterbacks:

“If you doubt mediocrity’s arrival, let’s do a little test. Everyone please raise your hand if you’ve heard of Bobby Hoying, Craig Whelihan, Paul Justin, Glenn Foley, Billy Joe Hobert and Doug Nussmeier.

“Don’t feel bad. No one with a life knows these guys. They’re among the 64 anonymities, incompetents, cheap hires and other warm bodies, who have started NFL games at quarterback this season.”