He’s Crying Magic Much Too Often : Basketball: Johnson’s on-again, off-again talk of extending his career is beginning to wear.

That master of illusion pulled another fast one Sunday, saying something that his adoring public desperately wants to hear but can no longer believe.

Magic Johnson’s seemingly offhand comments about returning to the the Lakers have fooled so many people so often, his statements ought to be lumped with a name and status similar to other great moves in his career.

Call it the no-look retirement.

For seemingly the 9,921st time, he made headlines and set talk-show agendas when he said that, after his European tour with former NBA players was finished, he could join the Lakers for the second half of next season.

“Whatever happens, happens,” he said.

That’s the problem. In Johnson’s post-playing days, whatever has happened rarely actually happens.

Confused? Get in line--somewhere behind Jerry West.

Since retiring on Nov. 7, 1991, after acquiring the HIV virus that causes AIDS, Johnson has not actually played in a regular-season NBA game with the Lakers.

But he has still managed to throw a few fakes.

He’s playing. He’s not. He’s thinking about it. He’s thinking about thinking about it.

He is thinking about it, but with somebody besides the Lakers.

He’s coaching. He’s not. He’s working for NBC (OK, so one rumor proved out).

“At this point, it’s kind of funny,” said West, Laker general manager.

Funny, but it didn’t begin that way.

*

“I’m retiring.”--Magic Johnson, Nov. 7, 1991 .

The country was shocked about the revelation that one of its brightest sports stars had the HIV virus and he was applauded for his courage to go public with his illness. The continuation of his career was never even a consideration.

“We have advised him to avoid those activities which can further impair his immune system, which is playing professional basketball,” said Dr. Michael Mellman, Laker physician, after the announcement.

Thirty-five days later, everything changed.

“I haven’t ruled anything out. You know me. If I was sick, then you rule out everything. But I’m not. . . . Now my mind is open to everything,”--Magic Johnson, Dec. 12, 1991.

Dr. Michael Gottlieb, an HIV specialist at UCLA, agreed to speak generally about the emotional effects of the disease.

“People diagnosed with HIV often vacillate between having hope and feeling hopeless,” Gottlieb said. “Quite often I see patients who are indecisive about going forward with their life’s goals.”

Johnson’s comments about unretiring soon began to elicit responses around the league, beginning in his former locker room.

“I would like him to channel his energies in other directions . . . because basketball in a sense is over for him,”--Byron Scott, Jan. 29, 1992.

Johnson not only began to look in other directions, he started looking at other teams.

“Yeah, I’m leaning toward (coming back) . . . but I don’t know if it’s going to be with the Lakers.”--Magic Johnson, July 22, 1992.

So no matter where he plays, he is coming back for certain, right? Not so fast.

Two months later, after watching Larry Bird retire, Johnson mixed in another curve.

“Here comes Larry, he’s not playing. You say, ‘Well, do I want to do this?’ He kind of threw a monkey wrench into the whole thing. I said, ‘Oh man, I don’t need this now.’ “-- Magic Johnson, Sept. 19, 1992 .

Gottlieb said that confusion among HIV patients is understandable.

“With HIV, a person’s emotional life is thrown into chaos,” he said.

Ten days later, Johnson apparently ended the furor by deciding to return to the court. For good.

“God put me here to do my thing on the court, that’s where I’m going to do my thing,”--Magic Johnson, Sept. 29, 1992.

There was huge, glowing news conference that felt more like a celebration.

The news of Johnson’s return sent reporters running for Claire Rothman, general manager of the Forum, asking what would be done with his No. 32 jersey that had been retired and was hanging on the wall.

She said she would do whatever Johnson wanted.

He never told her, because he never needed the jersey.

Thirty-four days later, he decided he would retire again.

Faced with reports that other players were worried about the risk of infection, he decided it wasn’t worth it.

Another news conference was held at the Forum. Only this time, he didn’t show.

“After much thought and talking it over with Cookie and my family, I’ve decide that I will retire--for good--from the Lakers,” Magic Johnson, Nov. 2, 1992.

So just why would he open his mouth Sunday and start this circus again?

“I wonder if this isn’t a person who has a fear of losing the limelight,” said Dr. Eric Denson, athletic consultant at University of Delaware. “But retiring and unretiring is not the way to stay in the limelight.

“He becomes like one of those boxers. Coming back, not coming back. People start to lose interest.”

Magic Johnson being compared to Tony Tubbs? Has it come to that?

“I really don’t believe he is coming back,” said Lon Rosen, his agent. “Right now his quotes are being taken out of context. His problems now are semantics.”

And Jerry West, as you diligently attempt to rebuild a team without these intrusions, what do you think? Is Magic really going to attempt end another retirement?

West sighed.

“I’m not even sure what my comment should be,” he said.

How about, I hope not.