NBA legend Magic Johnson, who shocked the sports world when he revealed he had tested positive for HIV and abruptly retired from the game in 1991, spoke on NBC's "Today Show" on Monday about how he never would have believed back then he would not only still be alive today at age 60 but thriving.

Johnson said being HIV positive in the early 1990s was like having a death sentence. But he said he has taken his medicines and worked out as his doctors instructed him.

He added, attitude and mindset, which he said meant accepting your new status and feeling comfortable with it, are a major contributor to surviving.

Johnson, who helped to demystify the status of HIV positive when it was not talked openly in society, said many people over the years have come up to him to tell him their stories.

Asked about the NBA's current relationship with China after Beijing threatened to cancel lucrative contracts with the league after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressed his support for Hong Kong's protests in a tweet, Johnson acknowledged it is a difficult problem to balance global freedom with the business interests of the NBA.

Johnson, who said he is for freedom of speech and freedom for all people, stressed it is a tough situation, because there are billions of dollars at stake and everyone was caught off guard.

He said that now everyone has to come together – the players, owners, and commissioner – to come up with a solution that will be good for all.

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