For two hours on Tuesday night, I felt 10 years old again.

I put on my Maui and Sons T-shirt, popped some Journey into the tape deck and sat cross-legged in front of my television.

Why was I so excited you ask?

Three words: Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

My dad has Stan Musial. I have Magic Johnson.

As a kid growing up in Los Angeles, Magic Johnson and the Lakers were like gods. I still have the old 1986-87 Lakers World Championship T-shirt that is now roughly the size of one of my socks.

When Magic's running jump-hook against the Celtics in the 86-87 championship series gave the Lakers a 3-0 lead, my mother - a Boston fan - sent me to my room for cheering obnoxiously loud. It was vintage Magic.

Nov. 7 1991, I was a sophomore at Royal High School. That day, ironically, I had worn a bright purple T-shirt with big No. 32 on the front. Just before football practice, I heard the news - Magic had HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, and he was retiring. It was almost unfair.

Basketball fans have waited four years to see Magic in a Laker uniform again. Tuesday night, he gave us a game to remember.

At 7:46 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, arguably the greatest player the game has ever known stepped onto the court at the Great Western Forum for an NBA game for the first time since June 12, 1991.

The wait proved to be worth it.

Lakers forward Elden Campbell picked up two quick fouls, so with just 2:21 gone from the first quarter, Magic was in the game. It's been four years, but his stats read like he never missed a minute - 19 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists.

He has gained 27 pounds and plays power forward now but he still displayed the grace with the basketball that helped the Lakers win five World Championships during the 1980s.

His first field goal of the game was just like old times. He grabbed the inbound pass, went coast-to-coast and skied over Golden State rookie Joe Smith for a lay-up that brought the crowd to its feet.

Vintage Magic.

Just a few minutes later, Laker center Vlade Divac grabbed a missed Magic three-pointer and fed the ball right back to Magic. He ball-faked Smith out of his shorts and drove for the score.

Vintage Magic.

The Lakers sealed the game when Magic passed his way out of a double team to guard Nick Van Exel, who promptly nailed a three. The NBA's consummate team player was back and there was no stopping him.

Magic's return means much more than a chance for guys like me to relive the Laker glory years. It means that a new generation of fans can have the chance to watch him play. Kids who think Shaquille O'Neal is the greatest thing since sliced bread can be taught otherwise. Kids can see that before there was an Anfernee Hardaway or a Jason Kidd, there was a Magic Johnson.

After the game Magic looked tired, but he was excited and flashing his trademark smile, too.

Vintage Magic.

Craig Degel is a journalism sophomore and a sports reporter for the Arizona Daily Wildcat.