Allegation of Womanizing by Magic Is Decried by Friend in Michigan

The best man from Magic Johnson’s wedding took exception Monday to a published characterization of the former Laker basketball star as a “womanizer” whose lifestyle led to Johnson’s contraction of a life-threatening virus.

Appearing on a radio talk show in Owosso, Mich., Dale Beard said he objected to allegations by former USC and Olympic basketball player Pamela McGee that the probable reason Johnson revealed his condition publicly was “to warn the thousands of women he has slept with.”

“I don’t know why she said that, because she’s not on the road with the Lakers,” said Beard, a friend of Johnson’s from Lansing, Mich., who served as best man at his Sept. 14 marriage to Earletha (Cookie) Kelly. Beard said he was speaking without Johnson’s knowledge.

“I don’t know how she could possibly make that kind of statement. It’s like someone making a statement about something they can’t see.”

McGee, who lives in Flint, Mich., and also considers herself a good friend of Johnson’s, said in a letter to The Times published Nov. 9 that she was not surprised that Johnson had become infected with the immunodeficiency virus known as HIV.

“Knowing his flamboyant lifestyle, it was bound to happen sooner or later,” McGee wrote. “Magic’s closest friends always knew him as a major player and womanizer.”

Also Monday, Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers said that he wants to wear Johnson’s uniform number--32--for the rest of the season in tribute to Johnson.