Notes on a Scorecard - May 4, 1993

On the morning after, Jerry West was not among the disbelieving. . . .

“To be honest, nothing ever surprises me,” the general manager said after the Lakers had doubled the Phoenix Suns’ displeasure. “Sometimes a team can get overconfident. Then, in the second game, I thought Phoenix looked a little nervous. There’s so much pressure in the playoffs, particularly in a five-game series.” . . .

However, the players, coaches and management of the juggernaut that will bring a two-game lead into Game 3 tonight at the Forum seem neither overconfident nor nervous. . . .

“The Suns are a great team,” West said. “They didn’t win 62 games for nothing. These two games--hopefully, one--we’ll have to play better than we did in Phoenix to win.” . . .

How was the playoff team with the worst regular-season record able to handle the one with the best record twice in three days on the road? . . .

“I’ve always felt that a team that doesn’t have one major star needs contributions from everyone in different areas of the game,” West said. “That’s what we’ve gotten. We’ve had consistent performances from a lot of people.” . . .

West qualifies as an expert on postseason basketball, having played in 153 NBA playoff games and coached in 22. . . .

“The nature of the game changes,” he said. “You don’t see 120 points scored very often. The coaches have more time to prepare, and the players are much more disciplined. We can’t afford to give up more than 100 points against the Suns.” . . .

And, oh yes, what about Randy Pfund’s job security? . . .

“I can’t understand why there has there been so much focus on that,” West said. “The radio talk shows have done a lot to perpetuate myths and rumors. I realize it’s their job to create interest and excitement, but it’s not fair to the parties involved. The Laker staff and players always are reviewed at the end of the season. It won’t be any different this year.” . . .

No, Jack Nicholson hasn’t changed allegiances. He was courtside at the Knick-Indiana Pacer game Sunday at Madison Square Garden, but only because he has spent the last few weeks in New York, acting in a motion picture, “Wolf.” He hopes to be back in his usual Forum seat in time for Game 4 of the Phoenix series. Oops, sorry, make that Game 1 of the series against the San Antonio-Portland winner. . . . Before Game 1 against the Suns, the Lakers were 27-1 underdogs to win the series at the Mirage sports book in Las Vegas. Now, it’s 6-5, take your pick. . . .

One commercial for the pay-per-view telecast of the Mirage’s Saturday show doesn’t even mention the Lennox Lewis-Tony Tucker fight. Featured, instead, is Julio Cesar Chavez, who will try to improve his record in title bouts to 25-0 against Terrence Alli. . . .

Look-alikes: Tomas Sandstrom and Woody Harrelson. . . .

In 1967, Pittsburgh resident Tom Singer won a contest, naming that city’s NHL expansion franchise the Penguins. He won two season tickets for the first year. But Singer moved to Los Angeles, where he eventually covered the Angels for the old Herald Examiner, and never attended a Penguin game in Pittsburgh. . . .

Quincy Watts showed that Butch Reynolds’ 400-meter world record of 43.28 seconds is in danger when the Olympic Games champion ran an eased-up 44.60 in his seasonal debut Saturday at Drake Stadium. . . .

Bob Golic has been signed for a regular role as a resident co-ed dorm director in the new NBC series, “Saved by the Bell: The College Years.” . . .

Congratulations to Jenine Sahadi, who received her trainer’s license Friday and made it one for one Sunday when La Sarcelle won the fifth race at Hollywood Park. Sahadi is the daughter of Fred Sahadi, Cardiff Stud Farm owner and former director of marketing at Hollywood Park. . . .

St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Omar Olivares is the only player in major league baseball whose number--OO--is also his initials. . . .

Barry Bonds began the week as the leader or co-leader in eight National League batting categories and second in two others. . . .

Former Dodger Chris Gwynn is batting .319 and making the most of his increased playing time for the Kansas City Royals. . . .

Robb Nen, who took Nolan Ryan’s spot in the Texas Rangers’ rotation and beat the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, is the son of Dick Nen, who hit a game-winning home run against the Cardinals at St. Louis during the Dodgers’ charge to the Dodgers’ 1963 National League pennant. . . .

Coach of the year candidate: Detroit Tiger batting coach Larry Herndon. . . .

Remember when basketball fans in Arizona thought there could be nothing more embarrassing than the University of Arizona’s being eliminated from the NCAA tournament in the first round?