Thursday thoughts: Scottie likes Lakers' chances

In Scottie Pippen's view, the Los Angeles Lakers could win 72. Along with Michael Jordan, Pippen was part of the 1995-96 Bulls team that won a record 72 games. Only three teams (including the 1996-97 Bulls with 69 victories) have reached 67 since the Bulls' superlative season. ''The Lakers have a chance,'' Pippen told SI.com of the team led by superstar Kobe Bryant. ''They have the luxury of a young center like [Andrew] Bynum, a young power like [Pau] Gasol and even Josh Powell is a guy who deserves minutes. ... If anybody can challenge [the record], it's them.''

• Despite the Bears' 3-3 record, quarterback Jay Cutler's numbers are approaching mind-numbing proportions. If Quick Hits is calculating correctly (always a big ''if''), Cutler is on pace to set the team record for yards per game (248.7 with Erik Kramer's 239.9 in 1995 being the best) and completion percentage (136-for-209, 65.1 percent to Jim Harbaugh's 61.5 in 1993).

• Kerry Wood and wife Sarah are combining with Children's Memorial Hospital to present the first Champions for Children's event Nov. 19 at the Palmer House Hilton. It will feature a lifetime achievement award to Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and highlight teams and sports figures who have given back to the community. There also will be interactive entertainment, silent auction, reception, dinner and awards presentation, live auction and a dessert reception. The event is to be from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets are $250 and may be purchased at http://www.heroesforlife.org/site/ PageServer?pagename= champions_home. Information is available from Jamie Arquilla at (773) 880-6936 or by e-mail at jarquilla@childrensmemorial.org.

• Comcast SportsNet will telecast the Cubs/Ricketts family news conference live from Wrigley Field on Friday at 11 a.m. Even though the Ricketts family owns 25 percent of Comcast SportsNet, the cable channel will show 100 percent of the event and more.

• Speaking of electronic media, Bulls radio broadcaster Chuck Swirsky sends this message on Twitter: ''Pres. Obama declared 'Cash for Clunkers' is returning and plans to have the government purchase the Redskins from Daniel Snyder.'' Obviously, Chuck is short for ''Chuckles.''

The McCourts are going to court.

As in the noun that means a place where legal cases are heard. Not to be confused with the verb that means to woo.

Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt had papers filed Wednesday in a Los Angeles court to oppose wife Jamie's divorce filing Tuesday that seeks to regain her job as the team's chief executive.

He cited insubordination and her alleged improper relationship with her bodyguard.

The Los Angeles Times reports she is seeking ''$487,634 in monthly spousal support if she does not return to her job and $320,967 if she does.''

Documents filed by the Dodgers accuse Jamie of taking a business trip with her bodyguard in July to Israel but then went to France for 2½ weeks and billed the team for the trip.

Based on the couple's spending habits, it must have been some bill.

The L.A. Business Journal reports she ''claims she ate lunch at expensive restaurants six times a week and the couple ate dinner four or five evenings a week at such places as Wolfgang Puck's Cut and Spago, Nobu and the Bel Air Hotel.''

Gee, where's a Dodger Dog when you need one?

It's not every day that you have the chance to meet a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover model. Quick Hits met Marisa Miller (the 2008 cover girl) after Bulls practice on Oct. 22. So she has been featured (along with -- surprise! -- photos of her) every day in this week's columns. Here's the last of the items on Miller, who was in town as part of a Victoria's Secret store opening and to present Bulls guard Derrick Rose with his ''What's Sexy Now Chicago'' sexiest athlete nomination (voting at VSChicago.com):

Marisa Miller's body of work is impressive.

Certainly based on her effort at the Berto Center in Deerfield.

She went one-on-one with Derrick Rose last week and the supermodel impressed observers -- for her basketball ability.

''She's good,'' Rose told Quick Hits. ''She lied to me a little bit, talking about how she hadn't played in a while. But you could tell that she played when she was a young girl, when she was in high school, something like that.''

Miller, 31, demonstrated dribbling technique that included bouncing the ball deftly between her legs.

''She can play,'' Rose said.

Miller even drove to the basket a couple of times.

''I could have blocked it, but too many people. I didn't want to embarrass her like that,'' Rose said.

Well, it probably wouldn't have done much for him if he had.

Miller also made a free-throw attempt. Don't tell Shaquille O'Neal, but Quick Hits would take Miller over the big guy any day. Or night. Or whenever.

''Yeah, she can shoot,'' Rose said. ''She surprised me. I thought she wouldn't be able to get the ball up to the net, but she did.''

All right, if Miller can play basketball, what's the chances Rose can stroll down a runway in a fashion show?

''Never, never.''

So no Victoria's Secret Angel Wings in Rose's future?

''Not at all.''

Well, that's probably a relief to a lot of people.

''I know,'' he said. ''I don't want to mess up your eyes or anything.''

Much appreciated. Almost as appreciated as the time Quick Hits spent with Miller.