Magic Johnson hopeful NBA can crown a champion despite Covid-19

Magic Johnson says if NBA does resume this season it will be without fans and players shouldn't have any trouble adjusting on fly to playing in empty stadiums. former NBA legend and part owner of Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team sees a glimmer of hope and said all it will take is one game for players to adapt to t having spectators in building. "Let's say NBA comes back without fans. Once you play one game without fans you will adjust to t having fans re," Johnson told American broadcaster CNN on Thursday night. "We've all played our whole life on playgrounds and pickup games without fans being re. So basketball players will adjust, trust me." 

Magic Johnson hopeful NBA can crown a champion

Johnson, who is also former president of Los Angeles Lakers, said when professional sports returns it will help country heal amid coronavirus epidemic, which has so far killed over 95,000 people worldwide, including 16,600 Americans  and just over 500 in Canada.

"We need sports, especially in a time like this. But only if everybody is safe," Johnson told CNN. 

"Sports will come back, probably without fans first." 

60-year-old Johnson made sports health news himself in 1991, when he revealed he has HIV. He said NBA is t going to return until COVID-19 outbreak in US has stabilized and players can be properly tested. "re will be a right time," he said. "Commissioner Adam Silver has done wonderful job with NBA. "He wants to make sure players are safe before y come back. I think sports will come back. It is just a matter of when will we make sure this virus is level, and t affecting whole country anymore. When those numbers drop and stabilize sports will come back." 

Johnson says he does t kw exactly when that will be. He said Major League Baseball is w talking about a May start. But some health experts have predicted that social distancing restrictions might remain in place for much longer for fear of worsening health crisis. LeBron James said in early March that he cant ever imagine playing games in empty arenas.

"LeBron is right, it is hard to play without fans," said Johnson.

"Those guys want to see who is world champion. Listen, if y have a chance to go back and y are all healthy, and y all get tested, y will go back to crown a champion.

"y want to see who is best team in NBA. I am looking forward to seeing if Lakers can win a championship." 

Im credits: AP