From: dwarner@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (David J.)
Subject: Re: Magic un-retires
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 19:09:02 GMT

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...)

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                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.
   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.
   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.
   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?
   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.
   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.

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