Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 23, 1993

The more we see Doug Christie and the less we see Benoit Benjamin, the better the deal for the Lakers. . . .

Jerry West is hoping Christie’s suspect knee holds up as well as Sean Elliott’s has. . . .

The Seattle SuperSonics gave up two people who were nonexistent in their plans for a solid player, Sam Perkins, who could keep them ahead of Portland in the Pacific Division standings and Utah in the Western Conference playoff seedings. . . .

Those who believe the Lakers made the trade to secure a berth in the next NBA draft lottery might not be aware that they are five games ahead of Chris Mullin-less Golden State, the team with the ninth-best record in the conference. The first eight make the playoffs and miss the lottery. . . .

The Dream Team 1A vs. Dream Team 1B, a.k.a. the All-Star game Sunday at Salt Lake City was far more entertaining and competitive than any Dream Team game during the Olympics at Barcelona. . . .

The most dreaded words in college basketball: NIT-bound. . . .

Georgetown, 13-9 overall and 6-8 in the Big East Conference, is going to have to finish strong to reach the NCAA tournament for the 15th consecutive time. . . .

Indiana redshirt freshman forward Brian Evans scored a season-high 20 points against Purdue on Sunday, but was grabbed at the shoulders and shoved into a seat by Coach Bobby Knight after shooting a three-pointer late in the game. . . .

“If I would have been coaching at Army or the University of California when I grabbed Evans, I would have been fired on the spot,” Knight said. . . .

The day after Oregon State shot no free throws against Washington at Corvallis, Greg Graham made 26 of 28 for Indiana against Purdue at Bloomington. . . .

Don’t count out Duke, which has been missing Grant Hill. . . .

Chutzpah-of-the-year award goes to Boston Red Sox first baseman Carlos Quintana, who asked for a raise from $340,000 to $850,000 after being sidelined the entire 1992 season because of an injury. The arbitrator ruled in favor of the Red Sox and kept his salary at $340,000. . . I wish I had Eric Davis’ problem and needed to increase the percentage of fat in my body. . . .

Just before leaving for spring training, Bob Boone, now a manager in the Oakland Athletics’ farm system, gave some batting tips to his son Aaron. The next day, Aaron, a sophomore third baseman at USC, went five for five during the first game of a doubleheader against Arizona. . . .

There could be two Worrells pitching for Southern California teams this season--Dodger reliever Todd and younger brother Tim, who is trying to make the San Diego Padres’ starting rotation. . . .

Florida Marlin broadcaster Gary Carter is doubling as a catchers’ instructor during spring training. . . .

Speaking of instructors, that is quite a collection the San Francisco Giants have in Arizona: Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Vida Blue and Mike McCormick. . . .

Naturally, the Chicago Cubs are among those major league teams opposing revenue sharing. . . .

Hubie Brooks is trying to earn a job in the Kansas City Royals’ camp. . . .

Look-alikes: Derrick Coleman, with his shaven head, and George Foreman. . . .

CBS has added former UCLA coach and forward Larry Farmer to its roster of NCAA basketball playoff analysts. . . .

For the record: Former USC flanker Travis Hannah, not Curtis Conway, was clocked in 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. . . .

Despite their miserable record, the Sharks have sold all 64 luxury suites for their first season at the new San Jose arena. . . .

The way Don King is talking, Julio Cesar Chavez will probably fight the Pernell Whitaker-Buddy McGirt winner, rather than Terry Norris. . . .

Gabriel Ruelas barely lost his bid to win the World Boxing Council junior-lightweight title from Azumah Nelson, but brother Rafael Ruelas is a prohibitive favorite to successfully defend his North American Boxing Federation lightweight championship against Roberto Rivera tonight at the Country Club in Reseda. . . .

Heavyweight contender Michael Moorer will get some much-needed exposure--and what should be little competition--Saturday when he faces James (Bonecrusher) Smith on ABC. . . .

The wave marred the card at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. . . .

There must be some significance to the fact that wealthy young Americans worked overtime for no additional pay during the Pro Bowl and NBA All-Star game.