Magic Worries Gilliam

The prospect of Magic Johnson’s return to the NBA has stirred great excitement, but also some concern.

Word that the superstar--who retired in November 1991 after contracting the virus that causes AIDS--may be back in a Laker uniform this week has fired up his prospective teammates, but worried at least one player.

“I have some reservations about it because I do have concerns about the well-being of the guys who he’s going to be competing against,” Net forward Armon Gilliam said before Saturday’s game against the Lakers.

“How safe is it? Who can really answer that?,” asked Gilliam. “There is contact, there is scratches, bleeding is a part of basketball. I don’t know if that is fair to expose other guys to that type of thing.

“I have scratches all over my body,” the 6-foot-9 Gilliam, an eight-year NBA veteran, said, looking at his arms. “How safe is it? Who knows? Just the chance of something happening. You never know exactly how safe it is.”

Johnson, 36, who led the Lakers to five NBA titles in the 1980s, has been practicing with Los Angeles and the groundwork has been laid for his return.

Laker spokesman John Black said: “We’ve had discussions with him about coming back and we’ve had discussions with the league office about what is necessary for him to return.”

Black said the Lakers were ready to satisfy all the league requirements, including a firm condition that Johnson give up his 5% ownership interest in the team.

A comeback attempt by Johnson during the 1992 preseason was aborted when other players, notably Utah all-star Karl Malone, a 1992 Olympic teammate of Johnson’s, voiced health safety concerns.

“It’s not my decision,” said Gilliam about whether Johnson is allowed to return. “But I do have reservations about it.”

A New Jersey teammate of Gilliam’s felt differently.

“No, I’m not worried. I had two sisters who died of AIDS and I don’t worry about stuff like that,” said forward Jayson Williams. “It’s a very minute possibility.

“You’ve got about as much chance as Ed McMahon coming to your door.”

“It can only be a positive when a guy of his caliber comes back into the game,” Laker forward Cedric Ceballos said of Johnson, a nine time all-star and three-time league MVP.

“His personality, his style of play, his happiness on the court and the way the fans treat and really appreciate him.”

Laker Coach Del Harris is emphatically positive. “I’m on record, coast to coast, saying that I’ve always been in favor of it and our team is in favor of it as well.”