Harlem Globetrotters Outlast Michigan State, 97-83

Nov. 2, 2003

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - After a new, 12-foot statue said Earvin "Magic" Johnson was "Always A Champion," the scoreboard inside Breslin Center said he was a winner one more time Sunday.

The Harlem Globetrotters, with brief contributions from the 44-year-old Johnson and 38 points from protege Darrick Martin, beat Michigan State 97-83 in an exhibition game and stretched their win streak to 283 games.

The victory was a payback for the Spartans' 72-68 triumph in November 2000 that snapped the Globetrotters' 1,270-game win string. And after a stunning 43-21 deficit in rebounds, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo promised some spirited practices this week.

But the spotlight for the Spartans and Coach Tom Izzo focused on the return of Johnson, one of the school's most famous former athletes, and a reunion of the 1979 NCAA Champions on their silver anniversary.

"It was unbelievable," Johnson said of the weekend. "I told everyone, `Let's do this every year, not every five or 10.' I love Michigan State. I can't thank everyone enough. And I look forward to an another season and another run at the Final Four."

With college and pro rival and close friend Larry Bird on hand as the Globetrotters' honorary coach, Johnson was 2-for-3 from the field and had five points and four assists in 16 minutes.

Johnson planned to play a few minutes more but was happy to sit and chat with Bird at the end of the bench as Martin, a former UCLA guard, had 18 points in the last 6:30.

"After watching him today, I might finally be able to take him," Bird said of Johnson, who broke out in laughter. "But it might take us two weeks to play up to 10."

Johnson said he might have pulled every muscle in his body if he had tried to return to the lineup in the second half without an extensive warm-up.

His halftime activity centered on a moving, mid-court celebration with former coach Jud Heathcote and the other players who beat Bird and Indiana State for the school's first national title in basketball.

"He's the greatest guard in the history of the game and one of the greatest winners," Heathcote said of Johnson. "He never stopped working. And he never stopped making everyone better. That's the mark of a champion."

Sunday, Johnson signed just the second lifetime contract in Globetrotters history, joining Bill Cosby as $1-for-life employees, and finalized plans to complete his degree in communications from Michigan State in 2005.

Johnson got the message of hard work and teamwork through to Martin, who spent a year working with him in Southern California. The results were obvious to everyone, not just to Johnson, who clapped along to the "MSU Fight Song" while cheering for each of Martin's five 3-pointers.

Sophomore forward Paul Davis led the Spartans with 19 points and six rebounds and drew praise from Johnson and Bird.