The Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to bring back Johnson, their most popular player ever, as coach was a true stunner. Since Magic retired after testing HIV-positive in 1991, the team’s fabled “Showtime” has shut down, a fact reflected in sagging attendance and the dearth of Hollywood superstars on Jack Nicholson row. L.A. appears destined to miss the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. Johnson, 34, declared his virus a nonfactor along with his lack of coaching experience. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you tomorrow I’m going to be a great coach,” said Johnson, who led the Lakers to five National Basketball Association titles. “But I know what it takes to win.” Of course, so did many other NBA superstars, who later discovered that the game was far easier in short pants than long. Boston Celtics great Bill Russell was an exception, winning championships in his first two seasons as coach. But he was lucky enough to be coaching himself. That’s a temptation Magic says he will try to resist.
Los Angeles Kings center Wayne Gretzky, a.k.a. “The Great One,” can now officially change his nickname to “The Greatest One.” He scored his 802d career goal, eclipsing the legendary Gordie Howe as the National Hockey League’s most prolific goal-scorer. Even more remarkable, Gretzky accomplished the feat in 650 fewer games than Howe played. In typical understatement, he termed the milestone “a relief” There won’t be much of that for his opponents. Gretzky, 33, might play six more seasons, which would ensure that his NHL records-62 to date-will be far beyond the reach of mere mortals.
The NHL wasn’t the only league preoccupied with more scoring last week. Concerned about declining TV ratings and journalists’ rants about their soporific product, NFL owners made the most drastic rule changes in two decades, all in an effort to add more scoring-at least of the touchdown variety-and excitement to the NFL. They instituted a two-point conversion to abet the come-from-behind, moved kickoffs back to the 30-yard line for returns and fiddled-turning the ball over to the other team seven yards farther downfield after a miss-with the field goal to discourage long attempts. Most veteran coaches decried the tinkering, but for the first time in a long time the owners appeared to be listening to somebody else namely the fans.
breaks the NHL record for the most career goals scored, with 802 in regular season play, after just 15 years in the league.
held the record for the most career goals scored in NHL regular season play, with 801 over a 26-year period.
