Magic’s Re-Retirement: Was It Caused by Fear, Rumors or Mailman?

It was fear, they said--fear of contact, fear of infection . . . fear of yet another Laker championship season?

I find it ironic that the loudest critics of Magic--Karl Malone, Jerry Colangelo--have the most to gain from his retirement.

They played their trump card callously--playing to Magic’s sensitivity about his disease--and spread rumors that forced the greatest player of all time into another premature departure.

Let’s be honest about their intentions. To these perennial losers, the issue was never really about AIDS as much as it was about their fear of losing.

CLYDE HARKINS

Santa Ana