COLUMN: Is the Magic back?

From Jamil Smith's, "Invisible Man," Fall '96 From Jamil Smith's, "Invisible Man," Fall '96Fans and owners may be applauding EarvinFrom Jamil Smith's, "Invisible Man," Fall '96Fans and owners may be applauding Earvin'Magic' Johnson's return to the NBA, butFrom Jamil Smith's, "Invisible Man," Fall '96Fans and owners may be applauding Earvin'Magic' Johnson's return to the NBA, buthis comeback was the wrong choice. From Jamil Smith's, "Invisible Man," Fall '96Fans and owners may be applauding Earvin'Magic' Johnson's return to the NBA, buthis comeback was the wrong choice.There really isn't such a thing as a "magician" anymore. Nowadays, they are commonly called "illusionists," a term that not only somewhat belies their capabilities, but also reflects the skeptical nature of the society in which we live. Truly, the word "illusionist" suggests a gimmick, while "magician" implies that the person referred to possesses a unique and supernatural ability, whether inherent or learned. Earvin "Magic" Johnson was arguably the best player of his time. His friendly rivalry with Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics was the earmark of the NBA in the 1980s. However, with the end of the decade came the forced, abrupt conclusion of Johnson's career -- or so we thought. In the age in which Magic's ability made him practically invincible to opponents, a disease proved that he is indeed very human. On November 7, 1991, Johnson announced his retirement from basketball because he had contracted the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was believed that he had done so in one of reportedly several sexual encounters on road trips during his long career. Johnson's retirement marked the end of an era in basketball in which the team player was valued more than he now is. Currently, though, the term that characterizes basketball (and pro sports as a whole) is the Comeback. Michael Jordan did it. Boxer George Foreman did it. Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh has recently done it. Why not Magic? Before Johnson's successful return against the Golden State Warriors early last week, the only Magic in the league had been in Orlando. Now here was Magic back again, messing around and (nearly) getting a triple-double with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Lakers' 10-point win. Although he was not as dominant in his matchup a week ago with the Chicago Bulls, he did come up with 15 points. Nearly all superficial signs would point to a rejuvenated Magic Johnson who has returned to the NBA for the love of the game, and who is equipped to help the Lakers return to their former glory. Not so fast. What are the reasons (that's reasons, plural) Magic Johnson returned to play in the NBA? Anyone who has ever competed in athletics at any level can surely understand Johnson's desire to return to an activity at which he excelled -- especially since he did not leave the game the way he would have liked to. One can certainly sympathize with Johnson's wishes to have his children see him play for the first time. Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to ignore his love for the spotlight. Playing in a town where stars are everywhere, it is not inconceivable to think that Johnson may have been wondering where his name was amongst those like Jordan in the sports headlines. He may have seen Jordan's return to the league, after a short flirt with retirement, and begun wondering if he was capable of doing that, too. However, the main differences between the two comebacks are the facts that Jordan is a younger, better athlete and that Jordan made his return after 17 months off the court. Magic had been gone for 51. This, of course, is ignoring the fact that Johnson has HIV and Jordan does not. In returning to the NBA, Johnson showed us how the person who had been widely regarded as one of the most unselfish players in basketball could be still be egocentric. In holding on to the past, he is forgetting about the future. Although the risks of speeding up the progress of the HIV in his body are not clearly defined, the mere fact that it is a possibility is reason enough to stay out of the game and spend as much time as he can with his young children and make sure that they are able to remember as much of their father as possible. It is his life and he may do with it as he pleases, but to sacrifice himself in this way is simply self-centered. The fear of his transmitting the disease to other players during play is probably infinitesimal as many have estimated, but Johnson is possibly sacrificing time in his life for a game he has proven himself in already. It is also possible that Johnson is being used by the NBA and the Lakers as a boost for relations with the fans. In a league in which most teams do not have winning records due to a expansion-filtered talent base, Johnson's return is a (superficial) sign of increased competitiveness. Jerry Buss, owner of the Lakers, can't be complaining, considering the Lakers were ranked near the bottom of the league in home attendance this year. Johnson could always draw the fans and he has not shown any signs that he will do differently thus far. The three networks that televise the NBA -- NBC, TNT and TBS -- probably don't mind seeing Magic back in the league, either, regardless of the personal risks that he takes. Also, the networks don't seem to mind that Johnson simply cannot be the same player as the man who served as the dominating American sports icon of my and many other childhoods. The fact that Johnson, at 27 pounds over his former playing weight, is settling for something less than the best is perhaps the most grievous thing of all. During his game against the Bulls last Friday night, he appeared out of breath and sluggish. However, the camera never left him. And for good reason. This was Magic the magician, back again -- or so we thought. He had the same winning smile, the patented short hook shot that he made more than a few times. Magic's reclamation of the game that he once mastered will not come without its outside rewards and penalties, though. He has ensured he will get the spotlight that, honestly, he no longer merits. And perhaps he has also ensured that he will have a shorter time on this earth. On the inevitable, fateful day that all of us, along with his wife and children, are only able to see Earvin Johnson on a videotape, perhaps we will only be able to think of the Magic we see today, a mere illusion of the one we all knew and loved so.