ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 30, 1996 TAG: 9601300094
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES
SOURCE: Associated Press
Saying ``it's now or never,'' Magic Johnson ended a retirement of more than four years Monday to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team he led to five NBA championships during the 1980s.
Johnson, 36, left the game Nov.7, 1991, just before the start of the 1991-92 season after learning he had tested positive for the HIV virus, which causes AIDS.
He returned the following year, only to retire again after a handful of exhibition games. That comeback was cut short when several players and others connected with the NBA complained about competing against someone who had the HIV virus.
There have been several aborted Johnson comebacks since then, and several other speculated comebacks, although Johnson said during the past summer he never would return.
But Johnson changed his mind again, and displaying his characteristic smile, said he was so excited about returning to the game that he ``couldn't sleep for the last two or three nights.''
``Last night, I was just going crazy,'' Johnson said.
``I want my [3-year-old] son to see me play, right here in the NBA.''
Johnson signed a contract for the remainder of the season and will play against the Golden State Warriors tonight at the Forum in Inglewood (10:30, TNT cable).
Johnson, who said he is 27 pounds heavier than when he played his last game June 12, 1991, has been practicing with the Lakers on and off for about two weeks and will play mostly at forward.
He also acknowledged he is much slower than when he retired.
``I know it's going to take me some time; I'm not in NBA shape. It's going to take me a month or two,'' Johnson said. ``This team has other people. It's not like I have to come in and dominate.''
Lakers spokesman Bob Steiner said tonight's contest will be the Lakers' second sellout in 22 home games this season. The third sellout will be Friday night in Johnson's second game back, when the Lakers face Michael Jordan and the rampaging Chicago Bulls.
``It's now or never,'' Johnson said. ``I'm 36. If this is the last hurrah, so be it. If it's next year, we'll see.''
Johnson said he was ``not worried'' about experiencing the kind of negative reaction he received during his abortive 1992-93 comeback.
``I'm calm. I'm not worried if there's criticism or not,'' he said. ``I'm at peace with myself.''
Two years ago, the Lakers had a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in 20 years. Johnson was their coach in the final 16 games after succeeding Randy Pfund. The Lakers went 5-11, losing their final 10 games, and Johnson opted not to return as coach. Instead, he became a part-owner of the team. He sold his share back to majority owner Jerry Buss on Monday.
Del Harris succeeded Johnson as coach and guided the team to a 48-34 record last season. Harris was selected the NBA's coach of the year, and the Lakers reached the second round of the playoffs.
The Lakers are 24-18 and have won six of their past seven games.
``Now, we're adding a wonderful piece, a wonderful element,'' Harris said. But ``this has nothing to do with saving some team or helping attendance. It has nothing to do with [negative] attitudes.
``Some people will say this guy is too old. There are others who will say, `Wow, they should win the championship.' It's probably somewhere in between. We'll just have to see.''
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Magic Johnson shoots a hook shot during practiceby CNBMonday in Los Angeles. color. KEYWORDS: BASKETBALL