Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 19, 1992

The only Los Angeles professional sports team with a winning record and a share of a division lead is the one that lost Wayne Gretzky but gained Barry Melrose. . . .

Credit their rookie coach and his skills as a motivator for the fact that the Kings, given up for finished when the Great One was disabled by a bad back two weeks before the opening game, are 12-6-2 and tied for first place with the Calgary Flames in the Smythe Division. . . .

“Others may be, but we’re not surprised by what’s happened,” Melrose said. “From the superstars to the kids, we’re working very hard. That’s why we’re where we are.” . . .

Among those whose productivity has improved markedly from a year ago is Jari Kurri, who has 42 points in 20 games after scoring 60 in 73. . . .

“Nobody has to make any excuses for Jari, but coming back after a season in Europe and playing for a new team was tough,” Melrose said. “I’m very blessed to be coaching him. He’s a joy to watch.” . . .

Of course, Melrose hopes he also will be able to watch Kurri’s old Los Angeles and Edmonton linemate, Gretzky, later this season. . . .

“Those who say we’re better without Wayne are crazy,” Melrose said. “One thing that really grabbed me about getting this job was the opportunity to coach him and find out what makes him tick. This is his kind of team. He fits our strengths to a tee. He’d love to be here. We’d love to have him.” . . .

Melrose, 36, debunks the theory that the Southern California climate and lifestyle is not conducive to winning hockey. . . .

“The weather is good most places at playoff time,” he explained. “We’re fortunate that it’s playoff weather here the whole season.” . . .

Jim Everett’s quarterback rating has improved every week of the season except the sixth, when the Rams played at New Orleans. He has gone from last place in the NFC--33.9--to fifth--85.4. . . .

The feet of tackle Jackie Slater, who will play in his 233rd game Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, are still among the quickest of any offensive lineman in the league. . . .

The Raiders will be trying to extend their Coliseum winning streak over the Denver Broncos to five. . . .

For the 50th time Saturday, the victory bell will be awarded to the winner of the UCLA-USC game. . . .

The 295-pound bell, which originally belonged to the Southern Pacific railroad, was given to UCLA in 1939 by the Alumni Assn. and was rung by cheerleaders after every Bruin score at the Coliseum. . . .

Six members of USC’s Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity stole it at the opening of the Bruins’ 1941 season. . . .

After a picture of the bell was printed in a Trojan campus magazine, pranksters from both schools got busy. UCLA students gave the Tommy Trojan statue a blue and gold paint job, USC initials were burned on UCLA lawns, and other property was defaced. . . .

USC President Rufus B. von KleinSmid threatened to cancel the series. . . .

However, on Nov. 12, 1942, the student body presidents of the two schools signed an agreement that the winner of the Trojan-Bruin game would get to keep the bell for a year. . . .

UCLA began this week’s festivities on a good note when the Bruin band defeated the Trojan band, 58-12. . . .

Those who believed the Clippers were left without a floor leader after all their wheeling and dealing were wrong. . . .

Their leader is Mark Jackson, who runs the show the way a point guard is supposed to. . . .

Jackson, who faces his former New York Knick teammates tonight at the Sports Arena, was everywhere Tuesday during the Clippers’ overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons, scoring 17 points, getting 12 assists, collecting seven rebounds, and winning an important jump ball from the much taller Olden Polynice. . . .

“We’re still learning how to play with each other,” Jackson said, “but down the road we’re going to be a very good team.” . . .

Don MacLean, the Washington Bullet and former UCLA forward, will appear in a “Bay Watch” episode, “Lifeguards Can’t Jump, “ Sunday at 8 p.m. on Channel 13. No, he doesn’t have one of the title roles. . . .

Pitcher Danny Jackson--who began the season with the Chicago Cubs, was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, drafted by the Florida Marlins, and traded to the Philadelphia Phillies--has belonged to four teams the same calendar year. . . .

A return to the National League and a spot in the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup that now has a lot of speed could be just what Kevin Mitchell needs. . . .

Just once, I’d like to see a football player signal that the opposing team has recovered a fumble.