Magic is Back

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA: Magic Johnson came out of retirement today, signing a contract to return Tuesday to the Los Angeles Lakers, the team he left more than four years ago after testing positive for the AIDS virus. "The Lakers are sorely in need of leadership and Magic Johnson certainly qualifies," says sportswriter Steve Wulf. "But whether he can lead them to a championship is another question. They will make the playoffs, but they do not have enough talent around him to beat the better teams in the conference. But it is great for the league to have him back." Johnson, 36, has bulked up considerably since he left the game. He is expected to play power forward, after revolutionizing the point guard position before his retirement The 3-time league Most Valuable Player, who led the Lakers to five championships, is scheduled to rejoin the 24-18 Lakers on Tuesday when they play the Golden State Warriors at the Forum in Inglewood.