Johnson bears no grudge against Indonesian govt
JAKARTA (JP): NBA living legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson said on his arrival here yesterday that he bore no grudge against the Indonesian government.
"No it wasn't hard feelings. They told me how many fans really wanted me here, that really wanted to see me play. That's the reason why I'm here now," said Johnson, a former member of the LA Lakers.
The immigration office banned Johnson from visiting the country in January 1994 due to him being HIV positive. But in a policy U-turn the office issued a visa to Johnson on Dec. 3, 1996, on the condition that he was accompanied by a medical team.
"The government was only doing its part in warning the public and I'm only doing my part on the basketball court," he commented on the government's warning about the disease.
"Two years ago was in the past. I'm here to play basketball, that's the main thing, it's a great step for this country, it's a great step for me," said Johnson, who is to play against IM- Texmaco tonight and Satria Muda tomorrow.
He stressed that "nothing can distract my enthusiasm to play here," adding that the people can start educating themselves about the potentially lethal disease.
The 37-year-old basketballer urged HIV positive sufferers to cope with their stress in dealing with the illness.
"Be happy. Just be yourself and keep a smile on your face," he said, "You can also live a productive life even if you have HIV. Remember that life is not over."
LA Lakers
Johnson said that he did not have any plans to return to the LA Lakers, the team he won five NBA titles with.
"I don't have any plans to return to the Lakers. Now I enjoy my job traveling around the world with my team and I'm happy to be retired," he said.
"I was with the NBA for 12 years. Of course I miss my games with (Michael) Jordan and (Larry) Bird. And I realize that people still want me to come back to the Lakers but it's my time to retire now," he added.
The Magic Johnson All Stars team - comprising Jason Martin, Larry Spriggs, Demone Van Webster, John Williams, Lester Conner, Eric Cooper, Jim Farmer, Marchell Henry and Jesse Drain - is to perform at the Senayan Indoor Stadium at 7:00 p.m. tonight and tomorrow.
Johnson, who loves softball, football and boxing, said that he still has no idea what to expect from the Indonesian teams.
"I don't know what to expect from the Indonesian teams but I hope you're gonna see an amazing performance," he said.
Johnson said that the NBA players of the 1980s were better than those of the 1990s.
"The 1990s basketball matches are in a big transition. They're still exciting but miss the likes of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Larry Bird and Karl Malone," he said.
"Jordan has carried the new basketball play in the 1990s and there are new stars including Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway," he added.
Johnson, who was wearing a white T-shirt and blue pants, arrived yesterday at 10.20 a.m. at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport from Honolulu, where he had watched a Michael Jackson concert.
He received a jasmine wreath from a little girl and waved his hands to a small gathering of fans. Although only a few people welcomed him, Johnson smiled and said "thanks .... thanks" many times.
The team, which comprises eight players and four technicians, is staying at the Sari Pan Pacific hotel, which is providing special sized beds for the visiting giants.
An ambulance was seen at the airport and trailed Johnson's bus. Marcel Maulana of PT Trimuda Jantra Paramitra said that 14 doctors are included in the medical team.
He said that the tickets for the two shows cost between Rp 50,000 (US$21) and Rp 225,000. As of today 60 percent of the 23,000 tickets have been sold. Most of the VVIP and first class tickets are sold.
SCTV is to air today's match at 10.00 p.m., and on Saturday at 10.00 a.m. Tomorrow's match is to be aired on Jan. 18, at 10.00 a.m. (yan)