WHEN CHEERS BECAME TEARS MAGIC'S HIV-FORCED RETIREMENT FROM NBA AFFECTED ENTIRE WORLD.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Magic Johnson would be dead within a year. That's what was going through the heads of many people when Earvin Johnson announced he had contracted HIV and was retiring from basketball.

Nobody could have foreseen on Nov. 7, 1991 that Johnson's best was yet to come.

A three-time Most Valuable Player in the NBA, Johnson has been even more valuable by educating the world about HIV and AIDS.

``Ten years ago, it was seen as particularly a gay disease,'' said Hattie Babbitt, executive director of AIDS Action in Washington D.C. ``Magic having been so forthcoming (that he) helped the rest of society come to grips with it as a disease that affects every community.''

When Johnson announced his contraction of HIV and retirement from basketball, people everywhere mourned the loss of one of the NBA's best and best-liked players.

It wasn't just sadness at not being able to see another no-look pass. It was actual mourning. People were looking six months ahead, nine months or maybe a year. That's when it was feared the images of Magic's winning smile and champagne celebrations would be replaced by visions of a pale and sickly Earvin Johnson addressing the nation one last time from his hospital bed.

Ten years to the day of Johnson's stunning announcement, people have given up on waiting. Although Johnson declined to speak to the Daily News, he did grant an interview to the Associated Press.

``I feel wonderful,'' Johnson said. ``Everything is great, wonderful. I celebrate life and I live every day. Every day is a holiday for me. ... Nov. 7 won't be any different.''

Magic appeared recently on ``The Tonight Show'' to autograph Jay Leno's Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was being auctioned for charity. Johnson's smile was intact, he looked as strong as ever. It's easy to forget he is HIV positive.

``So much time has passed,'' former Lakers teammate Kurt Rambis said. ``When you look at him and he's so healthy, it's not even a thought that comes into your head.''

Forever changed 

Prominent celebrities who had contracted HIV in the past such as actor Rock Hudson and tennis great Arthur Ashe kept it quiet until they were visibly ill because of AIDS.

Johnson didn't need to disclose his situation. He found out Oct. 25, 1991 after being called back from a exhibition-season trip to Utah. A blood test taken for a life-insurance policy had turned up HIV positive. His agent, Lon Rosen, and Lakers team doctor Michael Mellman kept the news quiet while further tests were done.

As the results were being confirmed, Rosen did lie to the media that Magic had the flu, to explain why he was missing games. But as soon as there was no doubt he was HIV positive, Johnson had a 3 p.m. press conference at the Forum.

``It was a very emotional time for everybody,'' Rosen said. ``Back in 1991, not many of us knew much about this disease. I think one of the things Earvin was able to do was humanize this thing. This disease is out there and can happen to people of color, gay people, straight people, anyone.''

In his speech announcing the contraction of HIV and his retirement, Magic smiled, joked, preached safe sex and concluded: ``Here I am, saying it can happen to everybody. Even me, Magic Johnson.''

He seemed more optimistic and content than everyone hearing the news.

``It was the first time I ever cried on television,'' Lakers announcer Chick Hearn said. ``He made a marvelous speech. He told it like it was and said that he was leaving. It was one of the saddest days of my life, not because we lost one of the greatest players to ever play the game but because of the kind of man I know him to be.''

Johnson was immediately thrust into the position of being a role model for people with HIV and AIDS. Few were educated about HIV. With his crossover celebrity, Johnson was able to debunk misconceptions of how the virus could be obtained, have his voice heard by the federal legislature and show others infected with the virus that it wasn't a death sentence.

Johnson was open about his previous promiscuity and urged people to practice safer sex.

``He brought me the ability to speak to much wider audiences than before, and especially with young people,'' said Dr. Alexandra Levine, a longtime AIDS researcher at the University of Southern California. ``It was always a concern to me that without education, (HIV/AIDS) would take control. The announcement from Magic Johnson allowed us greater credibility as we tried to get into the schools in the LAUSD. Educators were more accepting of discussing sexual things and so forth.''

Johnson retired at the recommendation of doctors. Then 32, he was at the tail end of his career but had some good years left. Doctors weren't sure how playing a rigorous NBA schedule would affect his immune system.

To some in the AIDS community, his retirement was a disappointment. Others with HIV or AIDS were trying to go on living their lives and Johnson's retirement briefly seemed as though he was quitting on his life.

``I was disappointed when he first dropped off the team,'' said Steve Pieters, a public relations specialist at Playboy Magazine who has been living with AIDS since 1982. ``I was always one who said it was about living to the fullest with whatever time we had. I thought he was sort of hitting the panic button when he dropped out.''

During the time off, President George Bush asked Johnson to fill a vacancy on the 12-member National Commission on AIDS. Johnson did so and urged Bush to take a more active role in the fight against AIDS.

Return to the game

Soon, Magic was back on the basketball court, first at the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, where he was voted a starter by fans despite not playing during the regular season. Then he played with the United States as part of the first ``Dream Team'' in the 1992 Olympics. He made a short-lived comeback attempt in the 1992-93 season, again retiring four days before the regular season after some players expressed concern over playing against him.

Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone said he didn't know if he could play as hard, banging bodies with someone he knew was HIV positive.

``I'm not going to say I was misquoted because I wasn't,'' Malone said.``I didn't know a lot about (HIV). A lot of people didn't know a lot about it. You know a lot more about it now. And if it was happening now, it might be different. But that was 10 years ago, so it's one of those things.''

Following a short coaching stint, Magic made another comeback in the 1995-96 season, playing a full year and leading the Lakers into the playoffs before again retiring from the NBA, this time for good.

But he wasn't done with basketball. Magic went around the world playing with his traveling all-star team and educating people about HIV and AIDS along the way.

``Every time he played basketball, it was showing that people with HIV could play,'' Rosen said. ``Just to show you could live and prosper was a good thing. And when he traveled the world, he would always have press conferences about HIV awareness.''

Johnson's success also has spread to business, where he has opened movie theaters and Starbucks coffee shops in the inner city and recently bought the Fatburger fast-food chain. The Magic Johnson Foundation has raised more than $20 million for charity, many AIDS related.

``I had no idea (he'd live long enough to have these business successes),'' friend and sometimes business adviser Michael Ovitz said. ``Who knew? I just think he fought the impossible fight. Like the way he played basketball, he could be down with two seconds on the clock and find a way to pull it out. He's done it again.''

Long life possible

After 10 years and with Johnson appearing as healthy as ever, the question arises as to how much longer he could live. With his wealth, Johnson has had the best medicine available.

``The medicine has done its thing; I think I've done my part,'' Johnson said. ``And God has done his part. It's mind over matter, too. I've never felt I would be sick or get sick. I thought I would be here.''

His muscle mass is another reason for his resistance, according to Dr. Fred Sattler, an AIDS researcher at USC. Between 1996 and 1998, the likelihood of developing full-blown AIDS decreased by 80 percent in the United States. Also, the death rate from AIDS went down by about 75-80 percent.

``I'm not really sure there is a limit at this moment,'' Levine said. ``I am extremely optimistic that people will be able to obtain close to a normal life span as with diabetes by being attentive and taking medication.''

Break out the champagne. Flash the smile. Magic Johnson always knew how to control a game.

``He's a winner,'' Rambis said. ``Emotionally, I don't know if I could have handled it as well as he has. Maybe God gave it to him for a reason. It brought awareness, education to the forefront and helped get our entire society more educated about HIV and AIDS.''

MAGIC MOMENTS

1978

--As a freshman, leads Michigan State to Big Ten title and a 25-8 record.

1979

--Helps Michigan State win NCAA title over Larry Bird and Indiana State as a sophomore. He is named MVP of the NCAA Tournament.

1980

--Has 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in Game 6 of the NBA Finals as the Lakers clinch their first of five titles in the 1980s.

1983

--Was selected to All-NBA first team for the first of nine straight seasons.

1991

--Announces his retirement on Nov. 7 because he has contracted the AIDS virus.

1992

--Helps U.S. to a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics.

--Announces he would return to the Lakers but retires again before the season starts after some NBA players say they are uncomfortable with him playing.

1996

--Again announces return to the NBA. Plays second half of the season. In his first game back he nearly has a triple-double with 19 points 10 assists and eight rebounds. Lakers are 29-11 with Magic but lose to Houston in first round of the playoffs. He finishes his playing career averaging 19.5 points, 11.2 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals.

1998

--Is part of partnership to acquire Founders National Bank in South Central and East Los Angeles. The bank later merges with Boston Bank of Commerce to form the third-largest African-American-owned bank in the nation.

2000

--Signs Avant under his Magic Johnson Music division. Artist's debut album, ``My Thoughts,'' went platinum.

2001

--Johnson Development Corporation, a division of Magic Johnson Enterprises, purchases Fatburger restaurant chain. JDC also has interests in Starbucks, T.G.I Fridays and Magic Johnson Theatres.

CAPTION(S):

6 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Ten years ago, Magic Johnson announced that he would retire from the NBA after testing positive for HIV.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

(2) no caption (Magic Johnson in a crowd} (3) no caption (Magic Johnson)

(4) no caption (Magic Johnson)

(5) no caption (Magic Johnson at Fatburger)

Daily News

(6) In 1991, two brothers watch in Simi Valley as Magic Johnson announces his retirement on TV.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

Box: MAGIC MOMENTS (see text)