NBA CHAMPIONSHIP : LAKERS VS. CELTICS : Notebook : Eavesdropping on Strom’s X-Rated Chatter

Mike LoPresti, a reporter for the Gannett news service, couldn’t pick up the audio transmission of CBS’ telecast of Game 4.

Instead, he found himself eavesdropping on the conversation of referee Earl Strom.

Strom was equipped with a wireless microphone for a future program for NBA Entertainment. By some quirk, LoPresti picked up the signal and got to listen to some lively exchanges, like this one between Strom and Boston’s Larry Bird.

Strom to Bird: “You better get off your butt.”

Bird said something in reply.

Strom: “You heard me.”

Bird replied.

Strom: “Bleep you.”

Bird said something again.

Strom: “You’re full of bleep.”

Later, Strom summoned a security guard and pointed out a fan who had been harassing him.

“Do me a favor,” Strom said. “Get that SOB back in my locker room. I want to kick the bleep out of him.”

With four minutes to play, Strom said to no one in particular: “I should have been a priest.”

Why Red Auerbach decided Strom must have been neutered before officiating Tuesday’s game:

The Lakers shot 20 free throws in the second half, the Celtics four.

The Lakers were called for just five fouls in the second half.

How many of these guys will be playing for the Charlotte Hornets?: On Sports Illustrated cover this week are Greg Kite, Fred Roberts, Byron Scott and Kurt Rambis.

The Lakers are asking that fans do not come out to the airport to meet the team when it returns today, citing safety reasons for both fans and players.

James Anderson, bodyguard for boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, escorted the Lakers from their hotel to the team bus before Thursday night’s game.

“We didn’t request it,” said Lon Rosen, Laker promotions director. “He’s just a big fan of the Lakers.”

Byron Scott, on playing Game 6 in Los Angeles: “Everything changes. Now we’re in an environment we’re used to.”

Reporter: “The Celtics don’t want to go out there for nothing.”

Scott: “They should have lost tonight then.”

James Worthy, who made just one of his first nine shots Thursday, wound up 6 of 19 and scored just 12 points.

“After I missed my first three or four shots, I felt obligated to get the ball in the hole,” Worthy said. “I got a little too anxious. I said I really have to put it in the cup this time.”

Laker Coach Pat Riley said Worthy was placing a lot of pressure on himself when he faced up on Kevin McHale one-on-one. Worthy agreed.

Said Riley: “He’s going to have to make an adjustment by not being so determined that the ball come to him. Instead, some of his offense is going to have to come off what he can get off the offensive boards.”

In the last 14 playoff games in which the Celtics have played, the home team has one 13 times. The lone exception was the Lakers’ 107-106 win in Game 4 Tuesday.

Staff writers Chris Baker and Mark Heisler also contributed to this story.