Magic Gets Back in NBA as Commentator for NBC

Forget about Magic Johnson making a comeback this season. He has decided to become an announcer for NBC instead.

He will work as a third announcer on three regular-season games, beginning March 8 with a Laker game against Detroit at the Forum. Then he will work a full schedule during the playoffs, including three games as the lone commentator.

Agent Lon Rosen said Johnson would re-evaluate his playing status after this summer’s Olympics.

Johnson and Rosen first had discussions with NBC from mid-November until nearly Christmastime, but a deal could not be worked out because of Johnson’s commitments at the time.

But after Johnson received good reviews for his work with Dick Enberg and Mike Fratello on the Laker-Chicago Bull game on Feb. 2, his interest was rekindled.

“When NBC asked me if I would be interested in being a commentator, I thought I would give it a try for one game, just to see if I liked it and to see how I would do,” Johnson said. “Well, I loved it.

“I’m happy that NBC thought I did well enough to have me come back. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Laker Coach Mike Dunleavy, before Wednesday night’s game against the Clippers, said: “As I’ve said all along, whatever decision he makes, I’m happy for him.

“It sounds like another way for him to channel his energies and be involved in the game of basketball. I know he’ll do a great job. Basically, I’m not counting on Earvin Johnson at all. (But) if there’s a point in time when he says that he would like to play, then I’m sure we could always fit him in.”

Talk of a possible comeback was fueled after Johnson was named most valuable player of the All-Star game.

“There was a lot of talk about coming back and the doctors not wanting him to come back,” Dunleavy said. “But the bottom line is, Earvin’s the only one who can make that decision.”

According to NBC spokesman Ed Markey, besides the March 8 Laker-Detroit game, Johnson will work a Chicago-Boston game on April 5 and a Utah-Laker game on April 11.