MAGIC JOHNSON HANGS UP HIS SNEAKERS, AGAIN

     MAGIC JOHNSON's decision to retire a third time came without
warning Tuesday, even to Lakers management, according to the L.A.
TIMES.  Johnson:  "I am going out on my own terms, something I
couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992" (Scott Howard-
Cooper, L.A. TIMES, 5/15).  MICHAEL JORDAN:  "He came back to a
whole new generation, and I don't think he could make up the
generation gap" (L.A. TIMES, 5/15).  ESPN's David Aldridge, on
the possibility of Magic coming back with another team next year:
"It would require a three-quarters vote of the NBA's Board of
Governors to reinstate Magic if he does decide to return within a
year of his retirement.  It's going to be very difficult to get
DAVE CHECKETTS in New York, PAT WILLIAMS in Orlando and WES
UNSELD in Washington to okay a return of Magic Johnson to, say
Miami, in the Atlantic Division next year.  I don't see that
happening" ("SportsCenter," 5/14).