Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 20, 1994

By ALLAN MALAMUD

Jan. 20, 1994 12 AM PT

Chick Hearn lives and dies with the Lakers, so I was concerned about his pulse as the NBA schedule approached the halfway mark. . . .

“This has been my most difficult season ever,” said Hearn, who will broadcast his 2,647th consecutive Laker game tonight. “What makes it so tough is that you have to report it as it is.” . . .

For sure, he has not sugarcoated the 25 losses that have more than doubled the 11 victories. . . .

“The chemistry doesn’t seem to be right,” he said. “There have been a minimum of seven games that they seemingly have had won, but let get away.” . . .

He has not been easy on the players or their coach. . . .

“Randy Pfund has made mistakes,” Hearn said. “He knows he has. But he’s in a tough position. He really doesn’t have the talent to achieve the kind of success he would like to. He’s pretty well groomed for the job and, remember, Pat Riley wanted to take him along when he went to New York.” . . .

Many NBA scientists believe the lottery draft, in which the Lakers figure to participate for the first time, is the surest fix for floundering teams. . . .

However, Hearn says free-agent signings are more important. . . .

“In the draft, you’re getting someone who is unproven,” he said. “It’s very difficult to step in and make a difference right away. The Magics, Birds and Shaquilles are the exceptions.” . . .

“I think this team needs a couple of veteran players who are class acts. They’re out there. Knowing Jerry West and Jerry Buss, I think they’ll get them.” . . .

Among potential free agents are forwards Horace Grant of the Chicago Bulls and Danny Manning of the Clippers. . . .

Either would make Hearn’s job easier next season. . . .

“Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “I still love the job. I love the league. They’ll have to fire me to get me out of the booth.” . . .

During his 34 seasons, some of the NBA’s most famous players have worn the purple--formerly known as Forum blue--and gold. . . .

Hearn’s all-time Laker team: Magic Johnson and Jerry West at guards, Elgin Baylor and Jamaal Wilkes at forwards and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain at center. . . .

“Sorry,” he said, “but I can’t separate Kareem and Wilt.” . . .

Pity Jack McDowell, the unappreciated Cy Young Award winner, who will receive only $5.3 million next season if he loses his arbitration with the Chicago White Sox. . . .

The Kansas City Royals are planning to invite former Houston and Baltimore first baseman Glenn Davis to spring training. . . .

Baseball America rates USC fifth, Cal State Fullerton sixth and Pepperdine seventh. Georgia Tech is No. 1. . . .

Marv Levy isn’t getting enough credit for coaching the Buffalo Bills to their fourth consecutive AFC championship game appearance. . . .

Kansas City might keep the Bills away from another Super Bowl, though, by blitzing and keeping the pressure on Jim Kelly, something the Raiders didn’t do. . . .

Raider band director Horace Heidt says that, along with “Hoss” in honor of Jeff Hostetler, his repertoire includes “Rocket Man” in honor of a certain wide receiver. . . .

How much will moving the Arizona State and Arizona games out of the Sports Arena this week hurt USC? The Trojans are 46-5 at the Arena since March of 1990. . . .

Z Boys: UCLA has received solid, aggressive center play from George Zidek and Rodney Zimmerman and will need more of the same against the Arizonas. . . .

America’s Team: Arizona starters hail from New York (Khalid Reeves), Oregon (Damon Stoudamire), Texas (Joseph Blair) and California (Ray Owes and Reggie Geary). . . .

Spots are still available for the American Red Cross celebrity golf tournament Monday morning at Cypress in Los Alamitos. . . .

San Fernando heavyweight Alex Garcia, trying to work himself back into contention after a disappointing 1993, opens the 10th year of boxing at the Irvine Marriott tonight against George O’Mara. . . .

Trainer Charlie Whittingham, 80, has two Kentucky Derby prospects in his barn. . . .

Strodes Creek was so impressive winning his debut Saturday at Santa Anita that Whittingham immediately nominated him for the Triple Crown races. . . .

Numerous, a $1.7-million yearling purchase, is expected to begin his 3-year-old campaign next week. . . .

Hunch bet in the fourth race today at Santa Anita: Functionindisaster. . . .

With every aftershock, I think of the old Roberto Duran line, “No mas.”