Clyde Drexler denies making disparaging comments about Magic Johnson – NBA Update
After comments from former NBA star Clyde Drexler regarding Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson surfaced last week, the former has distanced himself from them.
Clyde’s remarks about Johnson regarding his selection in the 1992 Olympics Dream Team and AIDS were seen by many as disparaging. Drexler, who is a Hall of Famer himself and was part of the Dream Team that won gold in 1992, however has moved to say in no unclear terms, that he has the utmost respect for Magic Johnson, whom he considers a friend.
“I was one of Magic’s biggest supporters during that difficult period in his life and I take great exception to having such comments attributed to me. Magic and I have a friendship that goes back more than 28 years and I would never say such hurtful things.” Drexler said.
The comments came out in Deadspin through excerpts from a book about the Dream Team that is set for release soon. In the said excerpts, Drexler is reported to have said that the players feared for Johnson’s life when he was on the court, because of his ongoing battle with AIDS, and many expected the Lakers playmaker to not live as long as he eventually has.
He also allegedly said that Magic Johnson wasn’t at his best afterwards.
However now Drexler has moved away from what’s been reported in the book. He revealed that he has already gotten in touch with Magic Johnson and apologized to him for any hurt feelings.
“I have reached out to Magic to assure him that I did not say those things and to apologize to him and his family for even having to respond to something as baseless as this.”
Magic Johnson retired after being diagnosed with AIDS in 1991 but was still made part of the 1992 NBA All Star game by Commissioner David Stern. He also made it in the 1992 Olympic team and continues today as a basketball analyst on TV.
The author of the book meanwhile has not backed down and has suggested that perhaps the comments attributed to Drexler were taken out of context, causing all the confusion.
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