When word broke out that Earvin 'Magic' Johnson had HIV, the sports world was left in shock. At the time, there were only a select few who contracted the disease. Hence, the fear of spreading the illness was a huge concern.
In all, Johnson was the center of attention in 1991. After learning he had the virus, the Michigan State product retired abruptly as he faced a new battle. However, Magic remained a favorite among the fans. He was voted into the 1992 All-Star Game, which drew mixed reactions.
Barkley wanted to talk to Magic
Players in that era had varying opinions on whether Johnson should play or not. Personalities like Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers felt it was a bad idea since all the attention would be on the Los Angeles Lakers guard. 'The Round Mound' explained that he considered talking to Magic and suggesting that maybe he should not play at the annual event.
"I have thought about picking up the phone, calling Magic, and telling him maybe he shouldn't play in the All-Star Game," Barkley said to reporters via the Associated Press. "It's his decision, but the All-Star Game is a reward for players who've had a great first half of the season."
Given that Earvin was already getting much hype, Charles may have had a point, stressing that it deprived the top performers of that season of their due. However, others were more concerned about getting infected.
Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz were among the players who worried about that aspect. Stock did not hide the fact that it bothered him , aware that the probability of acquiring the disease was possible, especially if Johnson sustained an open wound.
Related: The Lakers' team bus would always leave Kobe Bryant behind because he waited to talk to MJ after every game: "We were always one head short with Kobe"
Taken out of context
Johnson's camp was pretty much aware of the concerns surrounding his HIV issue. However, it did not deter the 6-foot-9 guard's participation. They feel that the public knows little about the disease, a reason why fear was resonating.
"The only thing that has bothered Earvin is the talk that people should be afraid of him. Those comments just show that there needs to be more education about the disease," Magic's agent, Lon Rosen, said via the New York Times .
When asked to react to Barkley's comments, Rosen shared that he and Johnson had yet to talk to the Sixers star, although they still considered him a friend. They hadn't seen the actual interview with Chuck, as they felt his words might have been taken out of context.
Johnson would go on to play in the 1992 ASG, helping the West rout the East All-Stars 153-113. Magic scored 25 points, along with nine assists and five rebounds, earning him the ASG Most Valuable Player award.
The top pick of the 1979 Draft would go on to play for the 1992 Summer Olympics Dream Team that went on to win a gold medal. He would go on hiatus before returning to the basketball scene in 1995. He gave it a shot in the 1995-96 season, a run that would end up being his last as an active NBA player.
Related: “It’s not like we’re going out to have unprotected sex with Magic” - Charles Barkley on playing against Magic Johnson after he was diagnosed with HIV
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