Lakers’ Foursome Leaves a Lasting Impression

First impressions of the Hall of Fame Four after their debut before a “Kobe”-shouting crowd in the Arrowhead Pond.

Devean George, the fifth player on the floor for the Lakers, is going to have the chance to break Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 100 points in a game because with the Fame Four on the floor, why would anyone bother covering George?

The Clippers were introduced at the start of this exhibition, which had

a first-round playoff feel because

of all the media attention. The fans booed, or maybe I misunderstood and they

were all chanting “Who?” when Olden Polynice was introduced as the Clipper starting center.

The Lakers got the spotlight treatment, Kobe Bryant drawing the largest roar, and Clipper Coach Mike Dunleavy went over to Polynice and whispered something into his ear. I’m guessing he said something like, “How many times do we have to play these guys this year?”

Bryant passed the ball to Shaq, so you know he’s off his game a little, and Shaq threw it to Gary Payton, who scored. The Clippers did something, but I wasn’t paying attention. The crowd began chanting, “Kobe,” so he scored.

The Fame Four continued to put on a show, Dunleavy was screaming at his Clippers (and he’s going to be doing that a lot), while Phil Jackson just sat there. Awake, I think.

He gets Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Then he gets Shaq, Kobe and Jeanie, and that’s not enough -- adding Malone and Payton.

“The guy made a deal with the devil,” Dunleavy said. So why didn’t he?

“It wasn’t offered to me,” Dunleavy said, and I guess he thinks he’ll win points and go to heaven coaching the Clippers.

I don’t know any other reason why someone would agree to coach the Clippers.

*

FUNNY AND ridiculous scene. Twice during the game Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife, went to the media room to use the restroom flanked by security guards. Like the President, she waited while they cleared the restroom.

I know the Lakers are no longer credentialing those who ask Bryant legal questions, but now I fear they might eject female reporters who use the restroom at the wrong time.

*

THE NATIONAL Thoroughbred Racing Assn. will add $1,000 to the charity that gets $500 from the loser of Saturday’s TVG/Page 2 picking contest, which is being staged to certify TVG broadcaster Frank Lyons as “Lyons the Loser.”

I’m picking for the benefit of the Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA, but if I lose, I will have to donate $500 to the charity of the Loser’s choice. Sports Editor Bill Dwyre said the money must come out of my pocket because The Times won’t cover it.

And here I thought all those USC fans who had canceled their subscriptions had renewed them after I had sworn allegiance. I presume this also means The Times won’t cover my Breeders’ Cup bets.

*

AND NOW the picks. A winner is worth 10 points, second place five and third three, the winner being the one with the most points. I had to explain this five times to the Loser before he understood.

DISTAFF: The Loser -- Sightseek. Trainer Bobby Frankel says take Sightseek, so Mrs. Frankel takes that as gospel. Page 2 -- Got Koko. Has beaten Sightseek and insiders say the horse doesn’t like the Loser. I guess Koko has seen his work on TV.

JUVENILE FILLIES: The Loser -- Class Above. Frankel doesn’t have a horse in the race; someone suggests Class Above without mentioning it’s trained by Bob Baffert -- a Frankel nemesis. Frankel will be mad at Mrs. Frankel. Page 2 -- Society Selection. Risky pick because the jockey isn’t much more than an exercise rider. Trainer is 0 for 5 in Breeders’ Cup races because he uses exercise riders.

MILE: The Loser -- Touch Of The Blues. Who knew he’d agree to be blindfolded for one pick? Page 2 -- Designed For Luck. Sidelined for 16 months after suffering a broken hock. I have no idea what a hock is but may go in hock by day’s end.

SPRINT: The Loser -- Aldebaran. Favorite and a Frankel horse, which shows you the depth of the Loser’s handicapping skills. Page 2 -- Shake You Down. It’ll be in front at the start, and at least that’s a thrill.

FILLY MARE & TURF: The Loser -- Islington. Tates Creek and Heat Haze must be real pigs because they’re trained by Frankel and he passes. Page 2 -- Musical Chimes. Gary Stevens gets a chance at a Seabiscuit sequel.

JUVENILE: The Loser -- Tiger Hunt. Hunt is owned by Team Valor, which includes horse racing handicapper Jeff Siegel; I presume the Loser got this pick out of the newspaper. Page 2 -- Minister Eric. Jockey Alex Solis says he’s going to win this one for the kids. I think he just wants the Loser to suffer.

TURF: The Loser -- Storming Home. The Loser’s best bet. A chimpanzee who has never seen a racing form could make the same pick. Page 2 -- High Chaparral. Lyon demanded the first pick in every race or he wouldn’t agree to come out and play. That left Falbrav and Chaparral. They tell me Falbrav can’t take the heat.

CLASSIC: The Loser -- Perfect Drift. TVG sidekick Todd Scrub, Scrump or whatever the goof’s name is probably gave him the pick. Page 2 -- Congaree. With all the TV cameras that are going to be focused on the winner, I can’t imagine Baffert passing up that opportunity.

They’re selling stuffed horses that look like donkeys for $20 in the Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup gift shop, and here’s hoping if the Loser takes the money from the kids and beats me, he at least has the heart to give each one of the youngsters a stuffed donkey -- you know, something that will remind the kids who gave it to them.

*

T.J. Simers can be reached at t.j.simers@latimes.com