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

LOS ANGELES – Magic Johnson says if the NBA does resume this season it will be without fans and the players shouldn't have any trouble adjusting on the fly to playing in empty stadiums.

The former NBA legend and part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team sees a glimmer of hope and said all it will take is one game for the players to adapt to not having spectators in the building.

"Let's say the NBA comes back without fans. Once you play one game without fans you will adjust to not having fans there," Johnson told American broadcaster CNN on Thursday night (Friday, Manila time). 

"We've all played our whole life on the playgrounds and pickup games without fans being there. So basketball players will adjust, trust me."

Johnson, who is also the former president of the Los Angeles Lakers, said when professional sports returns it will help the country heal amid the 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 the fans first."

The 60-year-old Johnson made sports health news himself in 1991, when he revealed he has HIV. 

He said the NBA is not going to return until the COVID-19 outbreak in the US has stabilized and the players can be properly tested.

"There will be a right time," he said. "Commissioner Adam Silver has done wonderful job with the NBA. 

"He wants to make sure the players are safe before they come back. I think sports will come back. It is just a matter of when will we make sure this virus is level, and not affecting the whole country anymore. When those numbers drop and stabilize sports will come back."

Johnson says he does not know exactly when that will be. He said Major League Baseball is now 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 the health crisis.

LeBron James said in early March that he cannot 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 the world champion. Listen, if they have a chance to go back and they are all healthy, and they all get tested, they will go back to crown a champion. 

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