NBA Rewind, November 7, 1991: The Day The Magic Died in Los Angeles

On November 7, 1991, Erving "Magic" Johnson announced to the world that he was retiring from professional basketball due to HIV.



For many, the news that Johnson was carrying the virus seemed like the end of not only an era, but of a man whom so many came to love for his charismatic attitude, infectious smile, and stellar moves on the basketball court.

It was a sad day for many of his fans because many believed that Johnson would die soon after his admission, after all, that was what happened to people with HIV/AIDS back then—they died.

On the flip side, the fact that Johnson did come forward was also a subtle sign of the progress and education that was yet to come. His admission that he caught the virus by being promiscuous with the opposite sex changed the thought processes of the many who believed that "straight" people were immune to HIV.

However, it wouldn't be long before the world knew that Johnson had no intention of disappearing into a corner to live out what little life he was perceived to have left. He planned to live as freely and normally as the everyday person and, unbeknown to many at the time, he would play the game he loved again.

On October 2, 1992, he signed a one-year contract extension with the L.A. Lakers for a record $14.6 million for the 1994-95 basketball season—the sum was payable in full whether he played or not.

The gesture was one that seemed a bit much at the time but, Jerry Buss, the Lakers owner, was more than willing to pay it to Johnson for "all that he'd done" for the franchise. 

Johnson would later make a brief return to his former team, but quickly retired again once it became clear that the NBA players weren't as ready for him as he had hoped.

Although he remained strong, the impact of his disease proved the bigger setback as stars like Karl Malone openly expressed their concerns about his being on the court with them. They felt the risk was just too great.

Magic accepted his fate and decided his interests were best served off the court, away from the game, using the platform his name and face afforded him to spread the word about what HIV really means for those who are carriers.

He became the virus' biggest picture of success and gave many who were already silently living with it a reason to believe they too would be okay.

Nearly 20-years later, Magic Johnson is still fighting the fight, and living the life that he always thought he could—against all odds.

Magic Johnson—Today

Charles Barkley Calling Out LeBron James????—Pot...Meet Kettle

Charles Barkley didn't much care for LeBron James "Decision" to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami to form, what some people feel, could be the most talented trio in the NBA next season. Barkley also didn't like James' one-hour ESPN special to announce his decision to the world (join the club). Barkley feels the special was a "punk" move on James' part and doesn't agree with his choice to leave Cleveland in favor of Miami.

Everyone knows that LeBron is probably on a lot of hate lists right now. No one likes what he did or how he did it—he's being criticized from all angles by people who are well-respected in the NBA community. James has already voiced his displeasure of the vitriol, and has made it a point to let people know that he's taking "mental notes" of everybody who has had something negative to say.

Well, while I found that last point (posted via Twitter) to be immature and unnecessary, I can definitely understand the place it's coming from. I mean, seriously,  aside from the ridiculously over-the-top television special, what has LeBron done wrong?

He left Cleveland...okay, sucks to be a Cleveland fan, but he had the right to leave Cleveland. Should he have said he was doing so sooner than he did? Yes, but that doesn't change the fact that he had the right to leave. He wasn't obligated to remain there just so he could say he stuck it out.

It would have been nice for him to say that he helped lead his team to a title, but was he supposed to just stay there so he could, maybe, say that—someday? I don't care what Charles Barkley or Michael Jordan have to say about their wanting the glory of saying "I won this", the end game is a championship—every player wants a ring.

An NBA legend can have all that stats and accolades he wants but, in the end, they all want a ring. Their career is empty without it—just ask Allen Iverson...hell, ask Charles Barkley.

That's why Gary Payton and Karl Malone signed with the Lakers in 2003.

Payton could have remained in Seattle to give it one more try but he didn't. He wanted a ring. Karl Malone was still putting up nice numbers in Utah in 2002, and might have continued to languish there in pursuit of his first title, but he accepted the Lakers overtures and decided to go where his chances of a championship were most favorable.

I don't recall anyone skewering either of them for leaving their respective teams.
Was that because LeBron didn't put in enough time in Cleveland? I mean, he was there for seven seasons, was he supposed to stay for seven more before he bolted—wait until he's near the end of his career before he goes to a hot team to chase a ring?

Please. 

Charles, of all people, should understand the mentality of a man looking for a good situation. As I recall, he made a big stink in Philadelphia once he realized they weren't headed in a championship direction—he wanted out. He wanted to go somewhere that he could be a perennial playoff staple and contend for a title.

Remember that, Charles? You actually likened Philly to...what was the word..."purgatory"? Yeah, that was it—purgatory.

Why didn't you stay in purgatory, Charles? Why didn't you stick it out there and lead your franchise to a title? Hmmmm?  Not only that, what do you call that forced trade to Houston in 1996? Didn't you go there for your one last shot at a title? Didn't you join Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler's team—relinquishing your mantle as "the man"?

Did that make you a "punk"?...just a question.

Listen, I do not condone the actions of LeBron James. I think he did a silly thing turning a simple matter of changing locations into a major press extravaganza. He alienated a lot of people by doing the special and he showed a total lack of respect to his fans and the Cleveland Cavaliers organization.

That said, he still had the right to leave. His reasons may not satisfy his NBA peers or the lot of us who think that his move was classless, but it was still his decision to make. So, Charles Barkley needs to sit down, shut-up, and look at himself before he starts calling LeBron to the carpet because, on the real, he sounds a bit like a hypocrite.

Pot...meet Kettle—indeed.

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• Charles Barkley: LeBron James A 'Punk' (huffingtonpost.com)