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MAGIC JOHNSON GIVES ASSIST TO ROBI REED: Philanthropist says getting tested and treated is too critical to pass up on; He also speaks on Kobe.

(September 7, 2007)

*Since 1979, when Magic Johnson wowed the country during the NCAA championship basketball while at Michigan State, the man has seemingly lived a charmed life. That would be NBA championships, millions of dollars in salary and now a business empire worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

If you wondering why we would consider a man with HIV to be living a charmed life then you really don't know what Magic is truly all about. Since contracting the disease 16 years ago Johnson has been one of the nation's top fundraising celebrities to the cause.

Our Lee Bailey, ever on the go, happened upon Johnson at a recent BBQ thrown by Hollywood power broker/casting director/producer Robi Reed. The event, Reed's birthday party, was designed to raise awareness and funds for the prevention, treatment and eventual cure of HIV/AIDS.

"Robi Reed putting on an event like this benefits people who have HIV and AIDS it's really wonderful," said Magic while flashing his signature smile. "Especially because of the fact that a lot of times we don't really feel that it's fashionable to talk about it. So, today we make it fashionable to talk about it. We can openly talk about it now. We know that over 50 to 60 percent of the cases are now through African American men and women. This is really great that we're able to do it like this."

Magic Johnson has always been an optimist, and that optimism is certainly contagious. But knowing the truth, and practicing it are two completely separate things. Especially when it comes to individuals taking the test.

"A lot of times we go get the test, but we don't go back for the results because they don't want to know," Magic explained. "With all the early detection now and all the medicine it'll be wonderful now to go get tested and to know that you can live for a long time with all the medicines that are out there. So, it's not a death sentence like it was before. Look at me, it's been 16 years now. So, you can live for a long, long time."

Magic Johnson appears to be a picture of health. In fact, he appears to have more muscle packed onto his frame now than he did while he was playing. Even with the advances in treatment for the ailment, even since Johnson's initial diagnosis, that only the rich and well off can afford to get treated.

"That's the wrong kind of thinking because there's a lot of foundations and companies out there that will supply those that really can't afford the drugs," reasoned the former LA Lakers great. "So, we have to get into the thinking of 'Hey, I wanna know my status and I want to live for a long time. If I find out I know I can live for a long time."

Since Johnson retired from basketball getting the word out about AIDS has been a full time job, but this is a man that appears to work a 40 hour work day. He's still a part owner of the LA Lakers. Speaking of which, we asked him how things are shaping up this season.

"We're OK. I think that you can see we're only going to get better. If we can make one or two moves before the seasons starts we're gonna be OK."

And of course he would think things are OK, optimism appears to be his middle name. And how, we asked, is Kobe handling the fact that his team still has not landed another premier name to play alongside him?

"I think he understands we're trying to make things better," said Johnson. "We had Kevin Garnett on a trade situation, but they changed their minds and traded him to Boston. So, we had him. We're working hard, but we can't make the guys come to us though."

Which is kind of amazing. There once was a time when all the Lakers had to do was pick up the phone and any free agent on the planet would make a beeline for LA.

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