From: ism1@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (IAN SETH MILLER)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Subject: Re: Magic un-retires
Date: 3 Oct 92 20:51:06 GMT
Organization: Lehigh University

In article <BvID73.MHw@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu>, dwarner@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (
David J.) writes:
>I wrote this column for the Indiana Daily Student the day Magic announced his
>return. It ran in Wednesday's issue, next to a big story about Magic's return.
>All comments via e-mail are more than welcome. (I'm here to serve...)
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>                Magic is making a mistake<
>
>   I'm worried about Magic.
>   I probably should be happy that he is returning to the
>Lakers for the upcoming season. After all, the doctors
>declared him healthy enough to return to the NBA, despite
>being infected with HIV.
>   He is certainly still capable of making highlight films, as
>he did during the Dream Team's glorious Olympic run.
>   Besides, he *is* Magic Johnson. He helped to change the
>face of basketball forever, and he has a right to do things
>his own way.
>   Still I worry.
>   Nobody deserves HIV or AIDS, no matter what their
>sexual preference. Still, this is not something with which
>you can play around and expect to win.

It's not a matter of beating the virus, but making the most of life with it.
Magic has chosen that he wants to do what he loves.

>   This is why I worry. Magic said he would play mostly
>home games, with some trips to nearby teams, like the
>Clippers or the Suns, to reduce some of the pressure of
>being a professional athlete.
>   Still, 60 games creates a lot of stress on a body. Playing
>pickup games with friends or organized charity games,
>physical though they may be, does not compare in any way
>to the level of the NBA.

No it doesn't compare to a 60 - game N.B.A season which is why Magic will play
what he feels he can.  Right now he says he's in the best physical shape of
his life and if for some reason he feals like he can't maintain this condition
he will officially retire.


>   And what of the Lakers when they go to Chicago or
>New York or Charlotte? How would they survive without
>Magic? How fair would it be to them to play so many
>games already knowing in advance their best player won't
>be joining them? That has to be a huge psychological
>disadvantage for the rest of the team.

Magic has said he will not miss the big games in New York or Chicago.  As for
the psychological disadvantage it will be present, but this will be a time for
the Laker experience of Worthy, Green and Scott  will come in as they know
they still have a job to get done.

>   Then what if the Lakers make the playoffs, where tradi"
>tionally things get even more physical? How long can
>Magic's body withstand that type of pressure?

Only time will tell, unfortunately, but like I said he will only do what he
can.

>   Besides, Magic went out in style. He won a gold medal
>in Barcelona and awed billions of spectators in the process.
>It seems a shame that he and Bird cannot walk together
>into the sunset.
>   Yes, I include Bird, because without Bird, there is no
>Magic, and vice versa. The two were made for each other -
>urban vs. rural, big school vs. little school, east coast vs.
>west coast, even black vs. white, though it should not have
>to be like that.
>   Yet the two were united by their style of play - a
>horizontal, fast-breaking, behind-the-back passing style that
>many have tried to imitate over the years. Their battles
>were epic, and their rivalry made them legend.
>   Maybe one could have made it without the other, but I
>doubt it. Basketball was reborn when they first played each
>other, and thanks to them, it may never die.
>   The man himself is mortal, though, and he hears that
>voice, telling him to hold on the glory, the brass ring, the
>victory. Maybe there will be another chance. There is
>nothing quite like getting that big win.
>   Earl Campbell listened to that voice as he washed him"
>self up in New Orleans. Jim Palmer heard the call, and he
>showed everyone why he made the right choice by retiring
>early.
>   Some athletes still hear it. Ask Ralph Sampson. He found
>a playground in Spain once his knees buckled in America.
>   Ask Larry Holmes. He said his return was not about just
>making money, but he was paid an awfully large amount to
>look like a clown in the ring.
>   Ask Joe Montana. He even said he would be happy to
>play somewhere else if Steve Young is going to start for
>San Francisco.
>
The major difference between Larry Holmes, Jim Palmer and Magic is that Magic
did not retire because his skill in the game had in any way deteriorated.
Palmer was too old and Holmes really just wanted the money.  As for Larry, he
has a physical injury to his back which does not allow him to compete in the
way he wants to.  Magic's HIV has not so far taken anything away from his game.

   That voice makes you say and do anything, and I have a
>feeling Magic is listening, and he should not be listening so
>closely.
>   We all have memories of Magic and Bird: the baby sky
>hook in the Garden, the inbound steal from Isiah Thomas,
>the no-look assists, the endless three-point shots. We should
>praise them all, but we should also move on.
>   You and Larry went out on top, Magic. Please reconsider
>your decision. Let the era end.

Magic has had a great carrer and ending it with the Olympics would have been a
historical ending to a great career.  But know he thinks he has to prove
another challenge by saying his career is not over because of a virus.  He is
still a great player and this will be a new challenge for his career.  Magic
is doing what he wants so I back him on the decission that he made and would
have done so either way.



        Ian


>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>--
>- David J. ---- BLUE RIDDLE PRODUCTIONS ---- dwarner@silver.ucs.indiana.edu -
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>
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