MAGIC RETIRES AGAIN : Peer Pressure Might Have Had Effect : Reaction: Some in NBA stunned, some relieved by Johnson’s decision to quit playing in the league again.

There were elements to Magic Johnson’s second retirement that weren’t there for the first.

Surprise, disappointment and sadness remained, but relief was evident, too.

“I really think when you come right down to it, the controversy and talk coming from within the league and his growing concern for the concerns and fears of his peers led to this decision,” New York Coach Pat Riley, who coached Johnson with the Lakers, told the Associated Press.

Johnson cited those controversies as among the reasons he decided to retire, this time, he said in a statement, for good.

The latest example was a story in Sunday’s New York Times on the climate around the NBA that included some of the boldest comments yet.

“Just because he’s coming back doesn’t mean nothing to me,” Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz said in the article. “I’m no fan, no cheerleader. It may be good for basketball, but you have to look far beyond that. You have a lot of young men who have a long life ahead of them. The Dream Team was a concept everybody loved. But now we’re back to reality.”

Jerry Colangelo, the president and chief executive officer of the Phoenix Suns, added that, “Risk is risk.”

One general manager, requesting anonymity, suggested Johnson step aside to avoid any controversy.

“I thought it was very important to raise the questions,” Colangelo told the Arizona Republic on Monday, not long after Johnson’s decision had been made public. “The situation necessitated raising the questions. Any risk regardless of how small it may be, still creates a risk.

“And the whole area of concern for your players, concerns of liability, concerns of getting right down to protecting the integrity of the game, were all questions being asked behind closed doors but not publicly. Somebody had to ask those questions publicly. And I felt at the time of his decision that it certainly left questions unanswered about the risks.

“With the announcement that he is retiring for good, it is obvious he has had time to consider and reconsider. There have been a lot of stories, speculation and comment. There’s been a lot of concern and quite a few people were unwilling to go public with that concern. That includes players. I’m certain (the reports) had something to do with his decision. But only Magic can really answer that question.”

Additional reaction came Monday to Johnson’s retirement and to the controversy that apparently led to the decision.

“As has been clearly suggested, there is a concern, but I don’t recall anybody saying they would not play,” Charles Grantham, the executive director of the National Basketball Players Assn., said from New York. “I think the reason for that is the players’ educational program. That’s why we instituted it and why it continues, by and large, to do a good job of eliminating misperceptions.

“The majority of the players in the league would still have continued to play without concern and would not have seen that (illness) as a deterrent.

“With Jerry Colangelo making the statements he made, it’s clear there are several people concerned who don’t believe the issues with HIV and how, in fact, it is contracted. I think there’s a comfort level everyone must reach. With 325-odd people, the number of players we have, we have that comfort level.”

The concern remained prominent Monday, even as it became a moot point.

“Everyone is trying to watch out for themselves with the virus around,” New Jersey’s Chris Morris told AP. “In basketball, you can get a lot of open cuts, get hit in the jaw, get hit in the mouth and lose teeth, be cut every way.

“They are just being cautious how it might affect their playing. With (Johnson) in the game, there is a lot of distraction. It was a hard thing to deal with for an athlete. It’s a sad thing to see.”

Other reactions:

--Larry Bird, Johnson’s former rival and friend: “I’ve said before, I support whatever Magic feels is best for him and his family. I wish him all the luck in the world.”

--New Jersey Coach Chuck Daly, who also coached Johnson in the Olympics: “I am absolutely shocked. I’m shocked because I know what he did to get back in shape. He looked marvelous. Evidently he had a setback.

“Obviously I thought he was tremendous for the game. If that’s what he wants to do, I’m happy for him.”

--NBA Commissioner David Stern: “We know this is a difficult and complex decision that only Magic could make. We certainly respect his choice and Magic knows that he has the NBA’s continued support.”

--Michael Jordan: “I guess he looked at it and said he’d rather be remembered as a guy who enjoyed the game but not a guy who stirred problems amongst his peers.”

--Doc Rivers: “He looked great this summer and was as happy as he’s been in the past year. He was starting to get competitive. Negative comments probably played with him, but I hope that’s not the reason he gave it up.

“When all is said and done, though, you would accept that as the reason rather than his health. Also, if he was questioning himself about making it through the season, this was the right time to do it. If that’s the reason, it’s just like him. He’d rather help the team than not.”

--And more from Riley: “Magic had one of those roller-coaster years with the announcement on Nov. 7 of his retirement, the All-Star game, the Olympic Dream Team, his comeback bid and subsequently the end.

“Magic had a great career. He showed great courage. Courage is not the absence of fear, but simply moving on with dignity despite that fear.”