Mayor Magic Johnson?

By Stephen M. Silverman

06/15/2001 at 11:00 AM EDT

Former Laker Erving "Magic" Johnson, 41, is considering entering a new arena: politics. After actively campaigning for the winner of last week's L.A. mayoral race, James Hahn, the basketball hero now says he may soon want to grab Hahn's seat -- in the mayor's office, that is. "I've been asked to run about two or three times," Johnson said in an interview broadcast Wednesday night on Southern California station KCAL-TV. "But it wasn't my time. I only want to do it when it's my time." Johnson said that if, after four years, Hahn has done a good job, in his estimation, then he will bide his time and let the incumbent run again. (L.A. mayors may only serve two terms.) If Hahn fails, says Johnson, then it'll be Johnson for mayor. "If I see candidates that are not for the people -- not going to do the right job for the city," said the 6'9" superstar, "then I'm going to jump in." As for the Lakers, Wednesday night they routed the Philadelphia 76ers, 100-86, to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.