Friends, Old Foes Honor Magic

The joy of watching Magic Johnson play basketball was always the way he involved his teammates. So it was fitting that a highlight of a night in Johnson’s honor presented by American Express at the Shrine Auditorium Thursday night was a reunion of the Showtime era Lakers.

Longtime Laker announcer Lawrence Tanter introduced Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Norm Nixon, Jamaal Wilkes, Michael Cooper, Byron Scott and A.C. Green, then Johnson joined them onstage. They had already taken advantage of some time to reminisce and clown around backstage and during the red carpet arrivals, telling stories from the days when the Lakers won five championships in nine years, taking advantage of their time together.

“It becomes more special, because it doesn’t happen as often the older we get,” Wilkes said.

Their onetime rivals from the Detroit Pistons, Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman, were on hand. So were NBA legends Bill Russell, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and George Gervin. Laker owner Jerry Buss and General Manager Mitch Kupchak attended, as did Johnson’s Michigan State teammate Greg Kelser.

“I’ve been to a lot of these that somebody else was being honored,” Johnson said. “And now to come to one and they’re honoring me, I don’t know how to act. It’s a different role for me. It’s a rewarding feeling. It’s just letting you know that you’re doing the right thing.”

-- J.A. Adande

*

The jam session, the NBA’s interactive fan festival, opened to the public Thursday afternoon at the Convention Center, looking very much like a basketball fanatic’s Chuck E Cheese. It’s noisy. It’s crowded with young people. It’s dizzying.

A $20 ticket for adults, $12 for kids and seniors, opens fans to a world in which they can practice free throws, three-point shots and dunks (on baskets that range from six feet to the regulation 10 feet). They also can line up to get autographs from NBA and WNBA players. And they can shop until they drop in the NBA Store, all under the watchful eye of a heavy presence of police and security personnel.

Lines stretched for yards at other courts, at which fans could see how many free throws they could sink in succession.

“It’s a little tiring on the feet, but it’s fun, and that makes it all worthwhile,” said Lynette Kimble of Los Angeles, a volunteer at the free-throw shooting venue.

In addition to the fun and games, there is an NBA store stocked with all manner of jerseys, sneakers, basketballs and other All-Star memorabilia. Prices range from $12 for a red, white and blue mini basketball with the All-Star logo to $4,500 for a gray lambskin and leather All-Star jacket.

-- Elliott Teaford

*

Based on the excitement on their faces and the energy in their legs, you would have thought four young boys had just discovered Christmas at the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, located within a 10-minute drive north of Staples Center on Pasadena Avenue.

But instead of looking for Santa Claus, the kids set their sights on the numerous current and former NBA and WNBA players gathered at the facility, which was chosen to be refurbished by the NBA’s Legacy Event.

With the help of several corporate sponsors, including Home Depot and Dell, the NBA renovated the facility. Not only were the walls painted and carpet installed in the recreational room, but books were donated, fresh furniture was put into place and additional educational materials were added to go along with 12 new Dell desktop computers.

-- Lonnie White

*

Nike USA and its Jordan Brand division broke ground on a basketball court refurbishment project at George Washington Carver Park near the Boys and Girls Club of Watts.

WNBA stars Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson joined former Laker and Clipper Norm Nixon, Eddie George of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans along with Nike and local political representatives for the ceremony, during which Nike announced it would contribute $100,000 for the project.

Nike also awarded grants worth $2,500 each to three teachers in the Watts area.

-- Peter Yoon