| | CLEVELAND -- Magic Johnson misses the old NBA.
He missed the rivalries like Lakers vs. Celtics and Pistons vs.
Cavaliers that made the league a nightly battle zone.
He no longer sees players like himself, Larry Bird and Michael
Jordan who cared more about winning than cashing paychecks.
Johnson, in town to open another movie theater complex in his
nationwide chain, attended Wednesday night's game between the
Chicago Bulls and Cavaliers at Gund Arena.
At halftime, Johnson held court with reporters on subjects
ranging from minority opportunities to Shawn Kemp's waistline.
But Johnson's strongest comments were reserved for the state of
today's NBA.
"The league has changed a lot," he said. "We've got to get
back to the team concept and less individual play. I hope it
happens. The talent is here. They have to talk about the
personality. When Larry (Bird) and I left off, Michael carried the
torch. Man, he carried it to the highest level. Now, that torch is
waiting to be grabbed."
Johnson, who says he still plays basketball nearly every morning
at UCLA, thinks some of the league's budding superstars like Vince
Carter, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant can help bring the league back
to the prominence it enjoyed while he played.
"There are some with the potential, Vince Carter, Kobe," he
said. "But they have to win championships to do it. Fans are
really attracted to winners.
"What disturbs me is guys that don't care about the game. We
all want the money. OK, you've got the money, now take care of
business. Guys like Larry and me went to the gym. We worked on our
game. Not just us. Lots of guys. You don't see that now." | |
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