Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off

Magic Johnson on Friday called off plans for his latest comeback, saying he will instead return to his other former role, that of minority owner and Laker vice president.

“I’m concentrating on that,� he said. “I’m not trying to come back. I’m concentrating on working with Dr. [Jerry] Buss and with Jerry West to see how we can take the franchise and the team to the next level.

“It [playing again] is done. It’s out of me. Let’s just go ahead and concentrate on this stuff.�

This marks the third time in a little more than 12 months Johnson has said in no uncertain terms he was permanently retired. One came last July 18, about six months before he returned to the Lakers. One came in May after the first-round playoff elimination, about two months before he went to Atlanta for the Olympics, appeared on national television and said he planned to return in January, the soonest possible because the Lakers had renounced his rights.

Finally, one came Friday.

“No more,� he said. “That’s it. I’m going to go ahead and do this.

“Let’s just pull back. Let’s get the ownership and help the team win. Either way, I’ll get a ring.�

And the talk earlier this week of another comeback?

“It was an emotional thing.�

Born from the excitement of the Lakers signing Shaquille O’Neal and trading for a bright prospect, Kobe Bryant. Once he thought about it, though, Johnson decided he would be better served trying to make an impact from the front office, where he could be available should Coach Del Harris ask him to speak with players or be a mentor to Bryant.

As if to solidify the decision, Johnson has booked his touring team to play in Australia sometime in January or February. Before that come trips to South Korea, Canada and South Africa.

Meanwhile, negotiations for him to buy back the 5% he sold to Buss in January to clear the way for that return began Thursday and may be completed as soon as next week.

“I’m happy that we’re working it out and I’m about to get back to being an owner,� said Johnson, who praised West for the off-season moves that delivered O’Neal and Bryant. “I can help the team from that side, still try to talk to the players and get them to understand how to win in the NBA and continue to do the other things as far as meet with the bankers and ticket-holders, just like before. Whatever Dr. Buss sees fit for me to do.�