Magic Johnson has always been my favorite basketball player. When he announced his retirement in 1992, I was shocked and deeply saddened. He retired because he was infected with the HIV Virus and made it clear that he would never suit up for another basketball game. I remember calling my best friend. We talked about Magic for hours, until my mom called to the kitchen for dinner. The day that Magic Johnson retired was one of the saddest days in my adolescent life, but, things would change over the next few months.

There were rumors that Magic was going to play in the All-Star game that season and I was really excited. Magic hadn’t played since announcing his retirement, so the anticipation grew everyday. When the All-Star selections were made and Magic was named as a starter, I went wild with excitement.

When All-Star balloting was complete, Magic received more All-star votes than any other player in the Western Conference. Never one to disappoint the public, Johnson chose to play.

Despite what Magic’s fans wanted, the biggest hurtle was to convince the other All-star players that he should be allowed to play. This was a big hurtle because the HIV virus was still relatively new and people weren’t exactly sure how it was transmitted (blood? sweat?) Utah Jazz’s Karl Malone was the most publicly vocal, but he was not alone, and the idea of Magic playing basketball again was not universally accepted.

The All-star game was played in Orlando and what transpired on the court was magical. The East All-Stars were: Isaiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Larry Bird, who didn’t play because of an injury. The West All-Stars were:Clyde Drexler, John Stockton, James Worthy, Tim Hardaway and Karl Malone. Magic Johnson was announced last. When Magic was introduced, the crowd went wild. The players from both teams walked up to Magic and greeted him with warm smiles and hugs.

The West dominated the game from start to finish. At halftime, the West had a 79-55 lead. With the “W” firmly secured, it was time to have some fun. In its final two possessions, the East ran clear-outs, allowing Magic to go mano-a-mano defensively with Isaiah Thomas then Michael Jordan, a confrontation that brought the crowd to its feet and even had players on the floor watching and applauding. Johnson forced Thomas into throwing up an air ball from 15 feet out. Jordan saw his right-side baseline jumper rim out. Finally, Magic brought the ball up court, then, after sliding away from Michael, who exaggerated his attempt to deny him the ball, received a return pass from Drexler and swished one final three over Isaiah Thomas. Fourteen seconds remained on the shot clock, but the game ended with Magic’s swish over Isaiah Thomas. Emotion swept over the floor and players from both squads hugged Johnson. Thomas handed Johnson the game ball, gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek.

Magic finished the night playing 29 minutes (only Jordan played more) and had game-highs of 25 points, nine assists and three three-pointers. Drexler added 22 points and Robinson 19. Jordan’s 18 points was the highest on the East team. The Western Conference All-Stars left the floor that day with a 40-point victory, the largest margin in All-Star Game history and tied for the most points in a regulation All-Star Game.

The 1992 All-Star Game was the only game that Magic played that season, and that last three-pointer was the final All-Star basket for the 12-time All-Star. But it was far from the end of the road for Magic Johnson.

He returned to the court to take part in the original Dream Team, which won the gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, coached the Los Angeles Lakers for the final 16 games of the ‘93-94 season then concluded his playing career as a power forward for the final 32 of the ‘95-96 season. But Magic’s greatest works were still to come. After leaving his NBA career, Magic lead a worldwide fight against HIV and still continues his efforts in getting young people to understand that safe sex is the only sex.

- John A. Roberts

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