Magic Johnson's visit in doubt

Magic Johnson's visit in doubt

JAKARTA (JP): A plan to bring National Basketball Association living legend Ervin "Magic" Johnson to Indonesia has received another blow: Johnson has another engagement.

Promoter Ary Sudarsono said yesterday that the date he had proposed did not suit Magic, who is obliged to accompany his team, the LA Lakers, in this season's NBA play-off games which begin early next month. Magic was scheduled to join fellow NBA great Kareem Abdul Jabbar on a basketball tour here in early June.

"Magic is a big shareholder in the LA Lakers. I don't think Magic will come here at the expense of his team," Ary said.

The government stopped the first plan to invite HIV-infected Magic last year, saying that the superstar carried a dangerous disease. (amd)