Just Like Old Times--Almost : Lakers: Johnson gets back in swing of things in first practice.

The T-shirt was gold, the shorts purple. Even if they were only practice sweats, Magic Johnson was back in a Laker uniform.

The smile was incandescent, the press corps expanded.

When Friday’s opening drill ended, about 25 people with tape recorders and minicams formed a semicircle at the top of the key around Johnson, who dropped in eight consecutive three-pointers. Showtime was back, too.

“It was like old times--once we got started,” said Johnson, who sat out last season after learning he had tested positive for HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. “It was weird at the beginning.

“I was so nervous this morning. I must have woke up three times last night, just waiting. And it finally got here. It was just a great feeling because I was so nervous coming in, like I was a rookie again. It was great, sweating, hitting, people hitting me. That’s the fun.”

It was almost like old times, anyway. Johnson used to all but run Laker drills.

Friday he only warmed up with a few gentle reminders to his ward, Vlade Divac.

“I didn’t want to come in and just--boom, I’m back!” Johnson said. “You work your way into it gradually. I was talking a little bit to Vlade, keeping him going, but other than that, fitting right in.

“Right now, we just want to come in and let Randy (Pfund, the rookie coach) dominate the practices, not myself. This is not my time to dominate. Once the games start, then I’ll do that. Right now, the only dominating figure should be Randy. You can’t have two guys trying to holler at guys.”

Said Pfund: “There’s never been a problem with Earvin. He understands how he can help a coach. If you heard some of Chuck Daly’s comments this summer, you know how a coach appreciates a guy like Earvin (Magic) Johnson.

“I didn’t see any difference. About the second or third time down the floor, he threaded a pass through the whole crowd for a layup. That looked pretty familiar to me.”

Laker Notes

Magic Johnson will play in four of the team’s eight exhibitions: the opener here against Portland next Friday; against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 20 at the Forum; against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 23 in San Diego; and against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Oct. 30.

Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi held a welcoming news conference for the Lakers. Laker General Manager Jerry West announced that the Lakers would donate $1 for every ticket sold to next week’s two exhibitions against the Trail Blazers to the Red Cross hurricane relief fund. The Blaisdell Center, in which the games will be played, has a seating capacity of 7,700.