Philly Fans Going to the Head of the Classless

Stephen A. Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer, commenting on Kobe Bryant’s ordeal at the NBA All-Star game: “The same city that once booed Santa Claus, that cheered when Dallas Cowboy receiver Michael Irvin suffered a neck injury on the turf of Veterans Stadium, that former Phillie standout Pete Rose once labeled a town that would ‘boo a crack in the Liberty Bell,’ continues to amaze with one pathetic display after another.

“No wonder the NBA celebrated the Lakers’ championship last year inside the visiting team’s locker room at First Union Center.

“Officials were fearful of how the crowd would react and we see why.”

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Trivia time: Who holds the NBA record for most blocked shots in a game?

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Welcome aboard: Tom FitzGerald in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Congratulations to Tim McCarver, the new member of the Giants’ TV crew. Fortunately, he didn’t let little things keep him from taking his new job, like winning this column’s ‘Most Annoying TV Sportscaster’ poll last fall.

“Maybe he can win over viewers like Jim Greene of San Francisco, who says of the newcomer, ‘Wouldn’t a chalkboard and fingernails be a lot less expensive?’”

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More FitzGerald: “You’ll never guess who wants to be a head coach in the NBA when his playing career is over. It’s Latrell ‘The Choker Is Wild’ Sprewell. ‘I think I could get something out of some guys,’ he says.

“Mostly blood, depending on how hard he squeezed.”

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Expanding allegiance: An NBC promo for the Saturday night Olympic pairs program of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada said the pair would “try to bring home a medal for North America.”

Said Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “So, hey, if you get tired of rooting for the U.S., take up the cause for your continent.”

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One and the same: Charles Austin, the high-jump gold medalist at the 1996 Olympics, will compete in the 42nd L.A. Invitational indoor track meet at the Sports Arena on Feb. 23. He’s flying here from Austin, Texas--his hometown.

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Something missing: Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel admits he doesn’t understand the appeal of the Winter Olympics: “In fact, I don’t see how it can be a true American athletic endeavor if there is no ball, basket or recruiting scandal.”

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Slow excitement: From comedy writer Jerry Perisho: “The American men’s curling team upset world champion Sweden, 10-5, at the Olympic Games on Monday. You could almost hear Al Michaels call the last few seconds: ‘Do you believe in lethargy? Yes!’”

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Trivia answer: Elmore Smith of the Lakers, 17, against Portland on Oct. 28, 1973.

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And finally: Jerry Colangelo may be running out of patience with being an NBA owner. When it was mentioned that he seems to enjoy the company of baseball players more than basketball players, Colangelo, who owns the Suns and Diamondbacks, told the Arizona Republic: “I’m not going to argue with your observation. Getting into baseball was refreshing. So many players have paid their dues and are appreciative of what they have. Baseball is a breath of fresh air. It’s a different culture.”

Mal Florence