No Mere Passing Fancy : Lakers: Johnson breaks Oscar Robertson’s assist record of 9,887 in 112-106 victory over Mavericks.

Here’s the one for the archives:

The ball is lobbed into Terry Teagle, isolated on the right wing. Teagle makes a turnaround 17-footer.

Bingo!

Magic Johnson is officially the greatest playmaker in the history of the game.

They threw a party Monday night for the maestro of Showtime, who took only 14 minutes to ring up the nine assists that gave him 9,888, breaking Oscar Robertson’s all-time record. Johnson finished with 19 for 9,898, a mark he will break Wednesday at Golden State and every game for the rest of his career.

In a related development of less importance, the Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks, 112-106, before 17,505 in the Forum.

Overall, Johnson’s line read: seven points, nine rebounds, 19 assists--and 11 turnovers, thought to be his career high.

“I’ve never been so nervous before a game,” he said later. “Before the game. In the game.

“I don’t think I’ve been this nervous since I played my first game at San Diego and tripped over my warmups.”

If the actual basket wasn’t the perfect opportunity--he was hoping for something morememorable to long-time teammates James Worthy or Byron Scott--the night went the way he dreamed it.

The fans chanted his name.

The game was stopped for 11 minutes.

NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik congratulated him.

Jerry West, Laker general manager, presented a crystal trophy on behalf of owner Jerry Buss.

West said, “It’s been one of the great thrills of my life, watching a great player who has competed every night he stepped out on this court. I think the NBA does one thing well--every time a good player comes along, they call him a superstar. Earvin, there’ve only been a few superstars I’ve seen, and you’re one of them.”

Johnson took the microphone, thanked his teammates, coaches, Laker management and the “Magic makers”--his parents.

His voice breaking, he said, “I know they’re both sitting at home watching. I know my dad is in his favorite seat--the same seat where he told me how to really play the game. If you’re listening, Dad, I just want to tell you I love you so much.”

Said Johnson later: “You think of all the times you played shirts and skins, running around as a kid, hoping one day to get to the NBA, not knowing about this day. . . . I think I cried for all those times, maybe, when I was out there shoveling off the snow, shooting half-court set shots against my father, him beating me with that old set shot.”

Of course, the Mavericks started the night with a fool-proof plan to stop Johnson.

“We’re going to cover everybody else and let him score 90 points,” Coach Richie Adubato quipped.

Derek Harper, the Maverick assigned to guard Johnson Monday and for most of the ‘80s, was asked before the game if he was being caught up in the excitement.

“What’s going on?” Harper asked, innocently.

Oh yes, the assist record.

“I hope I’m on him when it happens,” Harper said, “so when they show the clip--yay! I can show my son and daughter.

“He has to do it against somebody, right? I’ll be the first one to congratulate him. He’s a great player and a great guy.”

And his chances of shutting Johnson down shy of nine assists?

“Slim and none,” Harper said.

Fighting uphill, Harper stole the ball from Johnson the second time he brought it up and took it in for a layup.

Johnson had committed two turnovers before getting his first assist, on Scott’s 17-footer. After that, they came in a torrent.

No. 9,884 was a three-quarter-court baseball pass to Worthy for a fast-break layup.,

No. 9,885 was a half-court bounce pass to A.C. Green for a fast-break layup.

No. 9,886 came on a fast-break lob to Vlade Divac for another layup.

No. 9,887 was a pass to Worthy for a 15-footer, tying Robertson.

No. 9,888 was the lob to Teagle and all the other playmakers in the game were officially looking up at Earvin Johnson Jr.

Teagle, of course, became a Laker only after Johnson kicked back $100,000 of his own salary to make room under the salary cap.

“He ran up,” Johnson said, “and told me, ‘We’re even.’ ”

Laker Notes

Oscar Robertson got his total in 1,040 games, averaging 9.5 assists. Magic Johnson got his in his 871st, averaging 11.4. . . . Robertson, who declined a Laker invitation to attend, sent a congratulatory telegram. “Really Magic, I was only holding it for you,” it said. . . . Dallas Coach Richie Adubato, the master of staving off defeat, called all his timeouts, had his team foul and delayed the end of the game until 10 p.m. Johnson left with 16 seconds remaining to a standing ovation--from the 4,000 or so left in the Forum.

CAREER ASSIST RECORD

Oscar Robertson’s career assist record stood since 1974 until Magic Johnson broke it Monday night. Magic Johnson*: 9,898 Oscar Robertson: 9,887 Isiah Thomas*: 7,401 Lenny Wilkens: 7,211 Maurice Cheeks*: 7,085 Bob Cousy: 6,955 Guy Rodgers: 6,917 Nate Archibald: 6,476 John Lucas: 6,454 Norm Nixon: 6,386 * Active players