Playoff Atmosphere Extends to Forum Parking Lot

Given the choice between a poolside lounge in Hawaii or a courtside seat at the Forum, Lauren Wing of Culver City didn’t need much time to make up her mind.

She had gotten two tickets for Tuesday’s Laker-Golden State Warrior game for Christmas, and when Magic Johnson’s long-rumored comeback became reality, the present became more valuable than she could ever have imagined.

“As I walked through the parking lot, I had some offers,” she said. “I was thinking, ‘Basketball game, Hawaii. Basketball game, Hawaii.’ I decided to go for the basketball game. I’m a lifelong Laker fan. I wasn’t going to miss this.”

John Borovicka of Pasadena, who bought his ticket Monday, was also deluged with offers for his seat. He didn’t bother to find out how much he could have profited by parting with it.

“It didn’t even get to that stage,” he said. “I wasn’t going to sell it, no matter what. It’s been a long wait, 4 1/2 years.”

Borovicka knows something about long waits. He was wearing a Northwestern sweatshirt.

Outside the Forum before the Lakers’ 128-118 victory over the Warriors, anticipation over Johnson’s return created an air of excitement that had been missing in recent years.

Fans gathered outside the doors hours before the game, letting out whoops when they were allowed into the building.

Longtime Laker fan Jack Nicholson couldn’t make it--he was in Miami filming a movie--but the celebrity roster included former baseball great Frank Robinson and actor Rob Lowe. Jon Lovitz, Arsenio Hall and Michael Damian also placed last-minute ticket requests with the Lakers’ office.

Gary Schertz of Tarzana hadn’t been to any games this season before Tuesday. He got his ticket through Ticketmaster before Johnson signed his contract and announced he would play Tuesday.

“I bought it on a rumor,” Schertz said, “and I’m glad I did.”

His father, however, had other thoughts. “We were just debating whether to sell the tickets and go out for pizza,” Art Schertz said. “A scalper offered us $100.”

His son looked horrified. “We’re not selling,” he said.

To a couple who identified themselves as Roy and Diana of Westminster, the chance to witness Johnson’s comeback was worth any price. They went through a broker and paid $280 for two tickets with a face value of $62.50 each. They considered it a bargain.

“It puts me three rows behind the basket,” Roy said. “I just really wanted to be here. Since I didn’t go to the Super Bowl, this is my Super Bowl. I told my friends, ‘You’re going to see me waving behind the basket.’ ”

Two Inglewood police officers who declined to give their names said the crowd was orderly and they did not have to make any arrests.

That didn’t mean there wasn’t any commerce taking place in the parking lots and along the concourse. To their dismay, would-be scalpers were discovering that tickets to Tuesday’s game generally had a greater sentimental value than financial value.

A plaid-shirted man who identified himself only as Mike said he and a friend were disappointed by the low demand.

“We came with two tickets [worth $25 each] and we thought for sure we’d get $100 apiece,” Mike said. “We’ll be lucky if we get $50. Everybody who wants to be here has tickets. It’s not working.”

But the evening wasn’t a total loss. “I’m pumped he’s coming back,” Mike said.

So were the 17,505 fans inside the Forum. They cheered Johnson’s every move during the warmups, roared when he entered the game 2:21 into the first quarter and gave Johnson a thunderous ovation when he made a no-look pass to Anthony Peeler for a three-point shot with 7:01 to play in the quarter.

“He looks fantastic. He’s back,” said Lloyd Jones of West Los Angeles. “He hasn’t lost a step, and he really helped the team. When he was in the game, the [Lakers’ lead] went up, and when he went out, it came down.”

Said Frank Faye of Los Angeles: “He looks like the old Magic. Showtime is back.”

Larry Evans of Reseda was a bit critical of Johnson’s 19-point, 10-assist, eight-rebound performance. “It was pretty good. It was real good for a guy that hasn’t played for a while and has put on a few pounds,” Evans said. “It looked like he was getting a little tired when they took him out [after a six-minute appearance in the first quarter], but if they get him in there playing some minutes, I’m sure he’ll get back in shape.

“You can’t take the skills away. Even if he’s a step slower than most guys, he still has those skills and his smarts.”