It Was a Good Time to Have Showtime Just One More Time

The Forum, where Showtime first hit the stage, was a home away from home for some of the NBA’s brightest stars Sunday night.

Together on the same court, they proved that at least one thing is certain. They’re all shooting stars.

Isiah Thomas made two free throws with one second left to lead to Blue team to a 180-178 victory over the White team before a sellout crowd of 17,505 in the Forum.

Thomas sank his free throws despite something of a distraction beneath the basket--Magic Johnson on his knees, grabbing his throat in a choke hold.

It was all in good fun and also for a good cause. A Midsummer Night’s Magic II benefitted the United Negro College Fund.

“It was a success even if we didn’t win,” Johnson said. “It didn’t matter. I had a good time and everybody else did, too.”

While Johnson lent his name to the game, now in its second year, 19 other NBA players donated their own private basketball skills to put on an All-Star show worthy of just about any galaxy.

Is there anything left to see? Singer Dionne Warwick going one-on-one against Magic. She won the right to do just that at Saturday night’s auction.

A Midsummer Night’s Magic II 1/2?

The teams combined for 358 points, which averages out to slightly more than 8 points a minute. There were a lot of high points.

Spud Webb, the only player named after a potato, was the smallest guy on the court but he was the crowd’s biggest favorite, if you don’t count Magic.

“There was great individual talent out there,” Webb said. “You can go right on down the list. You can show it in this kind of game. I know the fans liked it.”

Magic’s team took an early 2-0 lead. Very early. During the player introductions in fact.

Both Johnson and Michael Cooper got standing ovations when they were introduced to the sellout crowd, some of them having paid $500 to sit courtside.

From there, they saw the All-Stars put on quite a show. And some of them were clearly in off-season form.

Best pass--Webb bounced a drop pass between his legs to Ron Harper, who trailed behind Webb, and scored on a layup.

Best new look--Akeem Olajuwon’s mustache.

Most embarrassing moment--Harper, attempting to bounce the ball off the backboard for an all-alone dunk, bounced the ball too low and watched it go out of bounds instead.

Second most embarrassing moment--Cooper tries a three-pointer and shoots an airball.

Maddest Person--Chuck Person, complaining about an offensive foul.

Best matchups, nickname division--The Human Highlight Film (Dominique Wilkins) vs. The X Man (Xavier McDaniel). The Glide vs. (Clyde Drexler) vs. The Dream (Olajuwon).

Biggest upset--The rim still connected to the backboard after Charles Barkley’s dunks.

Smallest upset--The length of time it took Mike McGee to shoot after he came into the game. Four seconds.

Best 3-point shooter--Kiki Vandeweghe. He won the halftime contest.

Worst defense--A 20-way tie.

Best offense--A 20-way tie.

A lot of players scored a lot of points, but Rolando Blackman, who had 31 for the winners, and McDaniel, who had 27 for the losing team, finished with the most.

All-Star Notes

Magic Johnson, who said last week that he was underpaid, is making some changes in his representation. Chicago attorney George Andrews is no longer Johnson’s agent. California Sports executive Lon Rosen has resigned as director of promotions to take over marketing duties for Johnson. Also, Pat Harris of California Sports has assumed an increasing role as an adviser for Johnson. . . . The UNCF announced during the game that it had cleared $500,000 from the All-Star banquet and game. . . . The first pass was in the locker room before the game when 9-week-old Sean Patrick O’Brien, son of CBS-TV’s Pat O’Brien, was passed from Charles Barkley to Johnson to Mark Aguirre. . . . Trade rumors are circulating in Boston where Danny Ainge is reportedly being shopped. The Celtics are looking for some help on the front line.