Win or Lose, the Ties Stand Out

About four Gs of fashion pressure are bearing down on the Lakers new head coach, Earvin (Magic) Johnson, thanks to his onetime boss. Former Laker and now Knicks coach Pat Riley set a style precedent with hair that looked as if it were raked by International Harvester and Giorgio Armani suits that couldn’t ask for a better fit model.

Since his first press conference as coach--at which he wore an ivory jacket, white shirt and pink and black polka-dotted tie--Johnson clearly has had a style plan. His initial court-side appearances have been in dark suits with white shirts ( very conservative ) and eye-popping geometric-print ties ( not conservative ).

Highlights include:

Game 1. A gray chalk-stripe suit, black tie with polka dots and pink squares. Score: Los Angeles 110, Milwaukee 101.

Game 2. A blue-gray suit with shawl-collar lapel, black tie with pink circles and fat blue lightning bolts. Score: Los Angeles 91, Minnesota 89.

Game 3. A dark gray suit, black tie with large white polka dots (no pink). Score: Lakers lose to Seattle, 92 to 95.

If Johnson’s fashion style is rambunctious, so is his coaching. Watching him try to contain himself to the sidelines is almost as exciting as his old fast break. Although Johnson doesn’t have a wardrobe contract, a Laker representative says, he can expect an avalanche of offers--if he stays on the job.