Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 16, 1994 TAG: 9404160070
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: INGLEWOOD, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium
Magic Johnson won't return as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers next season, a decision he hinted at but declined to announce before Friday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Johnson told reporters he had made a decision, but would not announce it until today.
That changed about an hour later, when early in the second quarter a news release was distributed confirming that Johnson would not return to the bench.
Johnson's comments before the game served as a thinly disguised hint about his plans.
"It's been a tough decision," he said. "I've enjoyed it. This has been great for me working with 12 guys and trying to get them to understand the Laker tradition."
Initially, Johnson said he didn't want to steal Friday's spotlight from former teammate Kareen Abdul-Jabbar, who was honored on the 10th anniversary of becoming the NBA's career scoring leader.
Johnson said he had not informed the players of his decision before the game, keeping it among himself, his wife, Cookie, Lakers owner Jerry Buss and general manager Jerry West.
"Coaching requires a tremendous commitment of time and energy, so with all that Earvin is trying to accomplish in his life, I readily understand his decision," Buss said.
Buss and West said they were glad Johnson had agreed to coach the final 16 games of the season after Randy Pfund was fired.
"I am even more convinced now that he would have been a great coach, and I'm sure our younger players benefitted from his tutelage," Buss said.
Johnson said he made up his mind Thursday after talking things over with his wife.
"Whatever happens, life is good," he said, smiling. "One way or another, I'm going to be happy."
Johnson denied his wife was unhappy he was coaching, although the job takes time he previously spent with her and their young son.
The Lakers were 33-43 going into the Portland game and trailed Denver by five games for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.
Los Angeles had lost four in a row, including a 117-88 rout Wednesday against Phoenix that prompted Johnson to criticize his players as quitters.
But the Lakers' recent poor play since going 5-1 in their first six games under Johnson wasn't a factor in his decision.
"The losing I still can't stand, but I've come to adjust to that," he said. "I knew it would come as a player, but then you could do something about it, and now you can't."
Johnson, 34, led the Lakers to five NBA championships in 12 seasons. He retired in November 1991 after learning he had the HIV virus that causes AIDS.
by CNB