From: jdt29225@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Jazzy J )
Subject: My reply to a "different" opinion
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 05:00:30 GMT


	For some reason I can't follow up on the following article, so
	here's a repost:



hopkins@sparc1.ist.ucf.edu (Sean Hopkins) writes:

>    When I first heard Magic retired, I thought 'Good, finally
>other players can take the limelight in the NBA.'  Well, this past
>week, Mr. Ego decided that he couldn't live without basketball and
>that basketball meant so much to him.  He ahs a wife and a new child
>but has determined his life incomplete without basketball.  Sure Magic,
>I believe you.  Personally, his ego wouldnt allow him to retire without
>breaking 10,000 assists and trying to put it out of reach of Isiah Thomas
>and John Stockton(eventual record holder.)  I also believe that Magic
>wanted to prove that he could still play ball because he wasnt too  
>impressive at the Olympics. (A lot of people say that no one looked
>good though.  Well this is true but there was no competition for them.
>Who's gonna play all out against Angola except the Quote Machine 
>Barkley.)  Magic is letting his ego get into the way. 

	I really can't believe you're saying this.  Magic has never really
	displayed an ego his entire life.  Yes, he wins a lot, but does he
	go and get arrogant about it?  I've never seen/heard it.  As far
	as his wife and child are concerned -- I do believe he consulted
	w/ Cookie 1st before even considering coming back.  And, obviously,
	his wife supported him and told him to go back.  

	I don't buy this breaking 10,000 assists stuff.  Magic has always
	been a selfless player -- heck, if he really had an ego, he'd be
	shooting all the time (he could have averaged over 25 ppg if he
	had wanted to) instead of passing.  What Magic wants to do is win.
	And, with the current cast in LA, it's certainly capable of 
	happening.

>    Another reason Mr Ego should stay home is that he is endangering
>every other player in the NBA.  I'll admit that the probability of    
>anything so extreme that causes a major loss of blood but it is still
>a possibility.  Some people have mentioned the rule about stopping play
>when a player or players have suffered an open cut or wound to allow
>the player(s) to leave the court to patch up the wound until it stops
>bleeding, but this rule doesnt do a whole lot.  When two players 
>collide and create open wounds, the refs have to see the blood to stop
>play.  This allows the players to have their blood mix and could
>create another problem such as transfer of a disease.  However,
>the NBA should have mandatory AIDS testing so that the players know
>who carries the disease.  Most educated people know that AIDS is not
>a homosexual disease therefore Magic really wont make a difference
>in what people believe.  Back to my point, if one player on any team
>Magic plays against objects to him playing then Magic shouldnt play.

	Hey -- how do we know that Magic's the ONLY person in the NBA w/
	AIDS?  He's the only one who's publicly admitted to it.  I wouldn't
	doubt it if there was some others out there being quiet about it.
	And about this colliding stuff -- what's the odds on this happening?
	Sure, there may be blood -- but if Magic's involved, I'm sure he'll
	stop himself before anything happens.  He's not stupid -- and he's
	not out to spread what he has.  And U have to realize also is that
	Magic doesn't have AIDS -- he has HIV.  It's dormant.  While the
	disease is possible, it hasn't developed yet.  

>    People also talk about people not giving the hard foul to Magic.
>Who cares, everyone will hit because they are going to see if he can
>handle the hits and pressure.  I don't know if he will want to take
>a hit from Charles Oakley and Shaquille O'Neal.  

	So -- if they were to hit Magic -- wouldn't they endanger themselves
	by possibly creating a wound on Magic, and therefore "mix their
	blood"?  According to your logic, nobody would want to even get
	close to Magic, much less hit him.

>    I also noticed that Magic signed a new contract.  Yes, one player
>in his mid thirties and six years past his prime should make $14.6
>million a year or 73 times what the president makes.  No player
>is worth that much money in any sport at any level.  Also, he will
>only play 50-60 games in a sport where is only an above-average
>player.  (Realistically, any point guard above 6'5" should be a 
>fantastic point guard, let alone one that is 6'9")  Maybe in twenty
>years when people make an average of $75K a year then maybe and that
>is a big maybe.

	First of all -- did Magic ASK for this money?  I think that it's
	mostly management's idea to reward him for all the years he
	directed Showtime in LA.  And 6 years past his prime?  The man
	only won the NBA MVP over Michael Jordan 2 years ago.  I agree
	that no player is worth that much money -- but if any player
	meant as much to his team, the people would be Jordan and Magic.
	Only an above-average player?  Basketball experts are already
	moving the Lakers to 3rd or 4th place w/ Magic's return -- think
	they might know something?

	I don't buy this "all tall point guards are good" theory either.
	First of all -- how many point guards to U know of that are 6'5"
	or over?  Second -- not all of them are good.  How many lead the
	NBA in assists 5-6 years in a row?  How many set the all-time
	record in assists?

>    I have read all the arguments for and against Magic returning to
>the NBA and most seemed happy about it.  I could perhaps understand
>this if he was still in his prime with a strong supporting cast.
>However, he was on a team that won 5 titles with a strong team full
>all-stars and role-players.  I dont think he affect the Lakers much
>now and extend their downward spiral with old players. (Look at Boston) 
>Even Jordan couldnt win a title without 2 other all-stars and a
>strong supporting cast of role players.

	The Lakers can still be great.  Perkins is still relatively young,
	and with Magic back, people like Scott and Worthy should do a lot
	better than last season.  And their bench is deeper than it's ever
	been!  And what's this about Boston -- they just won the Atlantic
	Division last year -- with Bird out most of the time -- and played
	real tough in a 6 game series w/ Cleveland.  Boston was a good
	combination of veterans and youth.  LA is going to be the same
	this coming season.

	Jordan w/ 2 all-stars?  Pippen one -- but who else?  

>    All in all, I dont think Magics return will help the NBA at all.
>Attendance and interest is at an all-time high without Magic because
>new, bright young stars are entering the league such as Larry Johnson,
>Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, and of course Shaquille O'Neal.
>Magic, it is time to go on with your life.  Maybe buy and team and
>run it, but dont play anymore when you are a shell of what everyone
>thought you were.  (I always thought Magic was a overrated and a big
>crybaby and sissy on the court.)

	I don't understand this at all.  It's already been reported that
	upon annoucement of Magic's return -- season ticket sales had
	ALREADY gone up 10%!  And, on the road -- I'm sure many fans will
	pay just to see Magic play in their arena.  Magic has been a 
	league favorite and spokesman for years -- there's no way his
	return will hurt the league in any fashion.

	And all these bright young stars -- O'Neal and Mourning still
	have to prove themselves.  Each, at this point, have many 
	weaknesses.  And about this attendance and interest at an all-time
	high -- who started it all?  Magic (and Bird too)!

	Magic Johnson overrated?  The ledger:

		High School Champion
		McDonald's All-American
		NCAA Championship
		Unanimous NCAA All-American
		<<5>> NBA Titles
		<<3>> NBA MVP Awards
		NBA All-time Assist Leader
		Future Hall-of-Famer (unanimous)
		...
		...
	
		a winner.
		--------

	What this post sounded like was a former Celtics, Blazers, or
	Suns fan dishing out some frustration for all the years Magic came
	in and beat them at their own game.  Sorry fella, he's back.

	Just my $0.02 worth,

	Jazzy J

>-- Sean Hopkins
>- Watch out for the Orlando Magic at the Love Shaq!!
>- Orlando #1 in the Atlantic Division!!

	Please... Orlando will be lucky to beat out Washington for last
	place.  At this point, teams like New York, Boston are WAY ahead of
	the Magic.  And, teams like New Jersey and Miami are certainly on
	the rise.  If Brian Williams can't play, and Dennis Scott has
	problems coming back from injury -- you're in for a long season...


-- 
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|  "I am human and I need to be loved,            | Jazzy J                   |
|   just like everybody else does..." - The Smiths| jdt29225@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu | 
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