Jordan Says Magic Couldn’t Bridge NBA Generation Gap

Magic Johnson’s retirement didn’t catch Michael Jordan by surprise, but, then, nothing would have.

“I think he came back and saw he had a whole new generation to deal with,” Jordan said before Tuesday night’s game against the New York Knicks.

“He and I are used to dealing with a different thing--diving on the floor for loose balls, or certain preparations that us veterans must go through.”

Since their returns--Jordan came back last spring, Johnson last winter--both players had been critical of young players’ attitudes. However, Jordan’s veteran-laden Bulls won a record 72 games this season and reached the Eastern Conference finals with a 94-81 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

Johnson’s Lakers were engulfed in turmoil for the last month of the season and unraveled in a first-round, four-game loss to the Houston Rockets.

“I was very fortunate to come back to an organization that was still pretty much similar to what I left,” said Jordan.

“He came back to a whole new generation, and I don’t think he could make up the generation gap. And he decided to leave. That’s my speculation. I haven’t talked to him.

“I’m not surprised.”

Does he think Johnson will come back yet again?

“I don’t know,” said Jordan, smiling, “but I wouldn’t be surprised.”