Uploaded August 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Magic Johnson: "I am happy to be back."

Nearly three years after retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers when learning he was infected with the virus that causes AIDS, Magic Johnson returns to coach the team. Critics say the move is a publicity stunt designed to fill the thousands of empty seats at Lakers home games but Johnson says that's not why he was hired.

Johnson: "I'm here to do a job. Obviously they think that I can do a good job or they wouldn't have asked me to do it."

Fans do line up to buy tickets and the Lakers win their first game under Johnson's guidance, but, after 11 games, Johnson announces he will not return as coach of the Lakers for the 1994-95 season.

Narrator: Bobbie Battista, CNN

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NBA Los Angeles Lakers, est. 1948