Laker Wives Make a Game of It

Magic Johnson held court in a different venue Saturday night when the Laker Wives threw their first big benefit, a Monte Carlo fund-raiser at the Armand Hammer Museum of Art in Westwood.

A chilling wind sweeping through the museum’s courtyard didn’t deter gamblers from waiting four-deep while Johnson dealt blackjack.

“I need two players because we’ve got two spaces. C’mon, c’mon,” hawked Johnson, as two people scrambled for empty stools.

Johnson may have had an ulterior motive for helping people spend their money. Part of the evening’s proceeds go to the Magic Johnson Foundation, formed late last year by the former basketball star to fund research, care and education programs for people with HIV virus and AIDS. Johnson announced last November that he had tested positive for HIV.

The remaining funds will be channeled into Laker Wives Charities, which include scholarships for Inglewood students and education and anti-drug rallies featuring Laker players at Inglewood schools.

Karen West, wife of Laker general manager Jerry West, chaired the event that also featured a silent and live auction, entertainment by singer Jeffrey Osborne and a buffet dinner held underneath tents.

About 700 guests roamed both floors of the museum’s courtyard, where other Lakers dealt various games. They bid on items such as an autographed photo of Arsenio Hall and VIP tickets to “American Gladiators.”

How did Johnson react when the Laker Wives pledged $100,000 to his cause?

“Any time anybody works as hard as they’ve been working, and they’ve put their heart and soul into it, it’s really special,” he said, finally torn away from the blackjack table.

On his participation in the Inglewood school rallies, Johnson added, “I get a lot of sense of them really wanting to know about HIV and AIDS. They want to know about education, they want to know that somebody cares enough about them to come and speak to them. . . .

“They ask great questions and they’re not shy, especially among their peers. It takes a lot for a young man or young woman to stand up and ask, ‘What kind of condoms should I use?’ But you have a natural bond with them. If I come out and tell them what happened and I’m truthful with them, then I get the same truth back from them.”

Also on hand for the benefit were Laker coach Mike Dunleavy (celebrating his birthday) and wife, Emily, players Vlade Divac, A. C. Green, Sam Perkins, Jack Haley, Elden Campbell, James Worthy and Sedale Threatt, plus Byron Allen, Louis Gossett Jr., Richard Moll and Magic Johnson Foundation president Vincent Bryson.