Notes on a Scorecard - May 16, 1995

The difference in the Laker-Spur series is that San Antonio has a superstar, David Robinson, and the Lakers don’t. . . .

Robinson is averaging 28 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots, and is 25 for 29 from the free-throw line. . . .

How important are superstars in the playoffs? The last NBA team to win a title without such a player was the 1978-79 Seattle SuperSonics. . . .

Since then, the championships have been won by teams with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Isiah Thomas, Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon. . . .

Of the eight remaining teams in the playoffs this season, only the Lakers and the Indiana Pacers are without superstars. . . .

You can fight the freeway traffic and still get home in time to see the tipoff between the Lakers and Spurs tonight at San Antonio. The game is starting at 6:30 our time, an hour later than usual. . . .

Chick Hearn was back in form Sunday after missing the second half Friday because of bronchitis. . . .

Jelani McCoy, the 6-11 center who could compete for a starting job at UCLA during his freshman year, was impressive in the Hoop Summit prep all-star game last week. McCoy is a shot blocker deluxe. . . .

Marcel Lachemann, who had no managerial experience before replacing Buck Rodgers with the Angels last May 17, may be the most improved manager in the major leagues. . . .

Baseball needs more fast workers such as Bob Gibson, the Hall of Fame pitcher who used to tell his St. Louis Cardinal teammates before a game, “An hour and 57 minutes, win, lose or draw, guys.” . . .

Pacific 10 Conference Southern Division baseball champion USC will play Northern Division champion Washington State Thursday night at Dedeaux Field in the opening game of the best-of-three series for the conference title. . . .

The UCLA men’s track and field team will be seeking its fourth consecutive Pac-10 title and the women their third starting Friday at Tucson. . . .

Tommy Prothro often was conservative, in the coaching mold of his mentor, Red Sanders, but wasn’t afraid to concoct surprises. Among those that usually worked were onside kicks. However, one that didn’t led to a wild and crazy 41-40 UCLA defeat by Oregon in 1970 at the Coliseum. . . .

Prothro was a terrific college coach, perhaps the best illustration being his 63-37-2 record at Oregon State. . . .

The Beavers had five consecutive losing seasons before Kip Taylor was replaced by Prothro in 1955. In his 10 years, they had only one losing season and made two New Year’s Day appearances in the Rose Bowl. . . .

Oregon State hasn’t been to any bowl since Prothro left. . . .

UCLA was coming off three consecutive losing seasons when he replaced Bill Barnes in 1965. . . .

Prothro coached the Bruins to an upset of top-ranked Michigan State in the 1966 Rose Bowl after the Spartans had beaten them in the opening game at East Lansing, and compiled a 41-18-3 record in six years. . . .

Some of his teams were undersized overachievers who became known as “the gutty little Bruins.” . . .

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The first 1995 Heisman Trophy campaign material I’ve received in the mail is from Minnesota. The Gophers are boosting running back Chris Darkins, who set a school single-season rushing record with 1,443 yards in 1994. . . .

Newport Beach sports enthusiast John Hamilton’s impressive collection of memorabilia will be on permanent display starting Thursday at the Northern Trust bank building in Newport Center. . . .

Voted into the second class of the USC Athletic Hall of Fame were Marcus Allen, Dean Cromwell, Morley Drury, John Ferraro, Mal Florence, Jess Hill, Julie Kohl, Ronnie Lott, Marlin McKeever, Mike McKeever, Cheryl Miller, Orv Mohler, Charlie Paddock, Mel Patton, Giles Pellerin, Erny Pinckert, Dennis Ralston, Roy Saari, Tom Seaver, Gus Shaver, Dave Stockton, Brice Taylor, Cotton Warburton and Charles White. . . .

They will be honored at a black-tie dinner at Heritage Hall on June 17. . . .

The discovery of Afternoon Deelites’ serious leg injury helps to explain his disappointing finish in the Kentucky Derby, in which he was in a contending position before fading to eighth place. . . .

Don’t expect to get 24-1 odds again on Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch. For the Preakness on Saturday, 2-1 will be more like it. . . .

A 2-year-old colt named Jimmy Hoofa finished out of the money in a race last week at Hollywood Park. . . .

Indy driver Scott Goodyear uses Firestone tires.