Isiah Thomas upset with Magic Johnson.

[Abraham Lincoln]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/10/22/isiah.magic/index.html



Magic Johnson in a soon-to-be-released book, Isiah Thomas said he'd had enough. And so he began to fight back.

"I'm really hurt, and I really feel taken advantage of for all these years,'' said Thomas, the Hall of Fame point guard and former NBA coach and executive, most recently with the Knicks. "I'm totally blindsided by this. Every time that I've seen Magic, he has been friendly with me. Whenever he came to a Knick game, he was standing in the tunnel [to the locker room] with me. He and [Knicks assistant coach] Herb[Williams] and I, we would go out to dinner in New York. I didn't know he felt this way.'

Much of their story involves Thomas, who as captain of the Detroit Pistons served as a primary threat to the championship ambitions of Bird's Celtics and Magic's Lakers. The book offers revelations that have stunned Thomas. Magic addresses years of rumors by finally accusing Thomas of questioning his sexuality after Johnson was diagnosed with HIV in 1991. Magic also admits that he joined with Michael Jordan and other players in blackballing Thomas from the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, saying, "Isiah killed his own chances when it came to the Olympics. Nobody on that team wanted to play with him. ... Michael didn't want to play with him. Scottie[Pippen] wanted no part of him. Bird wasn't pushing for him. Karl Malone didn't want him. Who was saying, 'We need this guy?' Nobody.''

"I'm glad that he's finally had the nerve and the courage to stand up and say it was him, as opposed to letting Michael Jordan take the blame for it all these years,'' Thomas responded during one of several interviews he gave to SI.com on Wednesday. "I wish he would have had the courage to say this stuff to me face to face, as opposed to writing it in some damn book to sell and he can make money off it.''

Magic's most shocking accusation, however, is that Thomas was responsible for spreading rumors that Johnson was gay or bisexual after Johnson tested positive for HIV, forcing his retirement at age 32. "Isiah kept questioning people about it,'' Magic says. "I couldn't believe that. The one guy I thought I could count on had all these doubts. It was like he kicked me in the stomach.''

Thomas vehemently denied that he had gossiped behind Magic's back, pointing out that he knew better than to engage in such hurtful talk.

"What most people don't know is, before Magic had HIV, my brother had HIV,'' Thomas said. "My brother died of HIV, AIDS, drug abuse. So I knew way more about the disease, because I was living with it in my house.''

His brother, Gregory Thomas, died five years ago, Isiah said.

"Magic acted and responded off some really bad information that he got,'' Thomas went on. "Whatever friendship we had, I thought it was bulls--- that he believed that. Let me put it to you this way: If he and I were such close friends, if I was questioning his sexuality, then I was questioning mine too. That's how idiotic it is.''

Magic declined to be interviewed for this story. Rosen, speaking on behalf of his client, said he and Magic stand by everything attributed to them in the book.Thomas insisted he felt too much sympathy for Magic to be spreading rumors about him.

Thomas said he helped make it possible for Magic to return in 1992 to the All-Star Game.

"They weren't going to let Magic play in the All-Star Game; all the players were coming out [against him],'' Thomas said. "You know how that all got turned around? I had a meeting with all of the players -- because I was president of the players' association -- and I told them not only was he going to play, but we were going to shake his hand and give him a hug. And I was the first to shake his hand and hug him and give him a kiss, to let people know that's not how the virus is spread."

And you can go back and check at the players' association. Call Charlie Grantham[the former union executive director and COO] and ask him how Magic got to play in the All-Star Game. Ask him who called the meeting.''

[Harison]

I'm not Isiah's fan as a person, but if he really was the key to:


Thomas said he helped make it possible for Magic to return in 1992 to the All-Star Game.

"They weren't going to let Magic play in the All-Star Game; all the players were coming out [against him],'' Thomas said. "You know how that all got turned around? I had a meeting with all of the players -- because I was president of the players' association -- and I told them not only was he going to play, but we were going to shake his hand and give him a hug. And I was the first to shake his hand and hug him and give him a kiss, to let people know that's not how the virus is spread."

Isiah gets my respect, at least for this.

[catch24]

The hell? Man, I feel kinda bad for Isiah...I believe him too..

lol @ Magic being a two faced friend smh

[EricForman]

if what he says in the book isnt true then obviously he's a bastard for that.

And if he what he says is true... then WHY THE HELL WAS HE SO BUDDY BUDDY with Zeke all these years (they'd kiss each other on the cheeks on national TV)???????????

either way, I come off disliking Magic alot more from this entry.

I guess Magics one of them guys who will always smile to you even if deep down he doesn't like you or hate you. I can't stand people like that.

[Shepseskaf]

Wow! This sounds nasty. Why air all of this stuff in a book, so many years afterwards?

I'm not sure how much media attention the book will get, but it might have the amazing effect of making Isiah a sympathetic figure.

[wang4three]

Isiah's everyone's punching bag one way or another.

[EricForman]

the more i think about it, the more disturbing it is to know MAgic can put on a smile and be buddy buddy with you for 15 years and then suddenly write a book saying all these things.

He's Harvey Dent.

[catch24]

the more i think about it, the more disturbing it is to know MAgic can put on a smile and be buddy buddy with you for 15 years and then suddenly write a book saying all these things.

He's Harvey Dent.

This

[iamgine]

Magic think Isaiah think he's gay and was spreading rumors. At that time, it might be reasonable that he'd be angry and when olympic players ask him to join the no-isiah movement, he gladly agree. But then he got over it and be friends again with Isiah. .

Sounds to me like a standard high school drama. All this written the way it did in the book because the publisher want to make money

[Dasher]

The gay rumors began to spread around Magic as soon as he made it public that he had HIV. At that time the disease was thought to be a gay man's disease. To place the blame for rumors of that sort at the feet of Zeke, and to be angry about them is disingenous. Especially considering how close these two were, and that there were mutterings about the sexuality of Zeke because of his closeness to Magic.

[GOBB]

Shots fired is an understatement. This could get ugly. Cot damn, I might even read this book to see what else Magic drops. Reading that article has me interested. How awkward will the setting be for Magic and Isiah to cross paths/bump heads again? It'll happen. What is said? What is done? And the wrong MJ was accused for blackballin Isiah. Never knew Magic was behind it.

[Kevin_Garnett_5]

if what he says in the book isnt true then obviously he's a bastard for that.

And if he what he says is true... then WHY THE HELL WAS HE SO BUDDY BUDDY with Zeke all these years (they'd kiss each other on the cheeks on national TV)???????????

either way, I come off disliking Magic alot more from this entry.

I guess Magics one of them guys who will always smile to you even if deep down he doesn't like you or hate you. I can't stand people like that. Agreed.

[Da_Realist]

WHOA! :eek:

I have to get this book.

Now...are Magic and Larry going to be honest about each other? Is Magic going to talk about his power struggle with some of the Lakers in the early 80's? Is Bird going to open up about his tense relationship with McHale in the late 80's?

[glidedrxlr22]

Maybe Magic is a douche. Say it ain't so. I have alot of respect for him. Maybe not so much now if this is true.

[1987_Lakers]

I'm actually not surprised. Back in the 80's these guys were so close, they were as close as friends could be. But these days I don't think I ever saw Magic & Isiah together. I knew something happened that strained their relationship.

[1987_Lakers]

WHOA! :eek:

I have to get this book.

Now...are Magic and Larry going to be honest about each other? Is Magic going to talk about his power struggle with some of the Lakers in the early 80's? Is Bird going to open up about his tense relationship with McHale in the late 80's?

I've actually heard about the Bird-McHale tense relationship. I would love to hear what happened.

[steve]

I've actually heard about the Bird-McHale tense relationship. I would love to hear what happened.
I don't think there was any one incident (or even a few), it was just the way they approached basketball in general. Jack McCallum wrote about it in "Unfinished Business." Bird took everything seriously and was so pragmatic about the game and his work ethic, whereas McHale never stopped seeing it as just a game and always just having fun playing it. Because of McHale's general attitude, Bird never thought that he particularly worked as hard as he could (which wasn't necessarily the case). They just never clicked personally (which is understandable considering their wildly different upbringings).

[Da_Realist]

I don't think there was any one incident (or even a few), it was just the way they approached basketball in general. Jack McCallum wrote about it in "Unfinished Business." Bird took everything seriously and was so pragmatic about the game and his work ethic, whereas McHale never stopped seeing it as just a game and always just having fun playing it. Because of McHale's general attitude, Bird never thought that he particularly worked as hard as he could (which wasn't necessarily the case). They just never clicked personally (which is understandable considering their wildly different upbringings).

I don't know how true this is, but it may give a little more insight...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_McHale

"The 1989–90 season marked the last time McHale was healthy enough to play in all 82 regular season games for the Celtics, but the season was one of discontent for Boston. Second-year point guard Brian Shaw left the team to play in Europe after a salary dispute, and Larry Bird—back from his injuries—was criticized by teammates, including McHale, for taking too many shots and trying to dominate games on his own."

[GOBB]

[QUOTE=Da_Realist]I don't know how true this is, but it may give a little more insight...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_McHale

[I]"The 1989

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

this rumor about thomas spreading these rumors has been in the public for years.

[Fatal9]

It's almost sick how competitive all of them are. Knew Magic wanted to win bad but didn't think he'd cut off Isiah in the finals like that. Bird and Magic too, always thought it was only an on-court rivalry (not that I think they were ever friendly) but sounds like they absolutely hated each other. Then you got MJ's HOF speech. These guys are serious...

I never thought much about the Bird/McHale thing. At the start it was because Bird didn't like how McHale approached the game. Then it was McHale thinking he was shooting too much but I'm pretty sure the feud was over the following season. remember reading a story on it.

[HiphopRelated]

Magic comes across like he has the iq of a rock, those are the types easily manipulated against their friends.

[KenneBell]

This is gonna be very interesting. Especially Thomas's comments about Magic and Bird.

[DuMa]

all is fair in love and basketball.

[Jasper]

People can be friends and yet disagree on many topic's including some of their actions in the past.

As for Zeke POE'd that Majic is making money on this book ...
what a joke .

Majic has all the loot anyone would want by the tune of around 700 million or more (word)

So for him and Bird to hook up and have a book written I would have to garner that all the facts are pretty much correct.

Zeke was not a fav player in the league period.
So what's with all the love for Zeke :confusedshrug:

You guys want him to return to Knicker's coaching staff , so you can rip him yourself :rolleyes:

[momo]

Magic comes across like he has the iq of a rock, those are the types easily manipulated against their friends.

What is the rocks IQ genius?

[Big#50]

Magic is gay as hell. Who cares though? He's still top 10.

[1987_Lakers]

BTW, what's up with all the Isiah love? Isiah questioned Magic's sexuality & Magic was obviously hurt by it. These guys were suppose to be BFF and Isiah dissed him when Magic needed him the most. Jackie MacMullan was just on PTI and said Magic was emotional throughout the interview when talking about Isiah so I doubt Magic is doing this for money.

[steve]

Except all the accounts of Isiah wondering if Magic was gay are all second and third hand accounts getting back to Magic. If Magic really thought highly of Isiah, wouldn't he ask him about it if it was something that he was really hurt by it. In fact, the only quote that we have coming from Magic agent, Isiah never even said that Magic was gay, it was more along the lines of asking about the rumors he's heard.

And I really don't think there's really much "love" for Isiah, it's just that people might be getting a little tired of him always being a punching bag for everything. It's gotten to the point where it just seems unnecessary. The thing that really gets me is if Magic was really instrumental in Isiah being left off the Dream Team, something that stung Isiah especially hard after being denied the chance to play in '80 (and that Magic would've known how much it meant to Isiah), is pretty unforgivable.

[Da_Realist]

BTW, what's up with all the Isiah love? Isiah questioned Magic's sexuality & Magic was obviously hurt by it. These guys were suppose to be BFF and Isiah dissed him when Magic needed him the most. Jackie MacMullan was just on PTI and said Magic was emotional throughout the interview when talking about Isiah so I doubt Magic is doing this for money.

Thanks for the info. Will record PTI and watch it later tonight.

[Da_Realist]

Except all the accounts of Isiah wondering if Magic was gay are all second and third hand accounts getting back to Magic. If Magic really thought highly of Isiah, wouldn't he ask him about it if it was something that he was really hurt by it. In fact, the only quote that we have coming from Magic agent, Isiah never even said that Magic was gay, it was more along the lines of asking about the rumors he's heard.

And I really don't think there's really much "love" for Isiah, it's just that people might be getting a little tired of him always being a punching bag for everything. It's gotten to the point where it just seems unnecessary. The thing that really gets me is if Magic was really instrumental in Isiah being left off the Dream Team, something that stung Isiah especially hard after being denied the chance to play in '80 (and that Magic would've known how much it meant to Isiah), is pretty unforgivable.

I feel the same as you. And I'm sure the Dream Team snub was hurtful when he thought it was only Jordan behind it. To now find out that his good friend Magic, along with a lot of other players he respected, were also a part of it must make it hurt much worse.

[DuMa]

I feel the same as you. And I'm sure the Dream Team snub was hurtful when he thought it was only Jordan behind it. To now find out that his good friend Magic, along with a lot of other players he respected, were also a part of it must make it hurt much worse.

He must have been naive to really think Jordan himself and himself only could control the consequences of Isaiah not making the Dream Team. It was a team decision. I don't get why he gets upset at it now.

[Albert Einstein]

I don't believe a word Isiah Thomas says ever. He's a liar. He was a consistent liar with the Knicks. He's probably lying now.

Why do people listen to him as if his words have any validity?

It's like listening to GWB in year 7 of his term and STILL believing what he says. Just tune it out....its all lies or distortions.......

[godofgods]

"I don't discriminate," Thomas said. "I don't believe any race or ethnic group or social group should be discriminated against, because I have been discrimated against, and I know it would be wrong for me to discriminate."

BULL****ING****. He made racist comments against Larry Bird and white people and now he said this. LOL. ****ing racist punk. He deserved to be left out in the Dream Team. More power to the rest of the Dream Team for keeping him out. :applause:

[Da KO King]

People didn't know Magic Johnson was a douche?!? Guess people really did get fooled by the Colgate smile and fancy passes.

[dr8ked]

People didn't know Magic Johnson was a douche?!? Guess people really did get fooled by the Colgate smile and fancy passes.

Too funny man :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Chuck Thou NBA]

Doesn't Isiah sound like Cleaveland from Family Guy? It doesn't matter what he says he's annoying as **** to me.

[BallersTalk]

If there's one good about Isiah, it's that he's loyal. He's down to earth. He might be an idiot as a FO guy, but he's damn loyal. This is why I hate Magic and MJ. They are the fakest people in the world. Behind closed doors, those two are evil sons of *****es that would take over the world if they knew how.

[BallersTalk]

I feel the same as you. And I'm sure the Dream Team snub was hurtful when he thought it was only Jordan behind it. To now find out that his good friend Magic, along with a lot of other players he respected, were also a part of it must make it hurt much worse.
I think Magic was thinking of the bigger picture, globalizing the sport. MJ didn't wanna play in the Olympics in the 1st place. Magic did. The way I see it, MJ told Magic that the only way he was gonna play is if Isiah didn't. So Magic gathered everyone around and blackballed Isiah off the team cause at the time Jordan didn't have the kind of influence Magic had. Come to think of it, Jordan's probably the a-hole he is now cause of Magic. That was his teacher. The good die young. The bad die slow and outlive everyone.

[dr8ked]

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/10/22/isiah.magic/magic-isiaht-p1.jpg

[BallersTalk]

I really think those two developed a lot of animosity towards each other when they met in the Finals. People say they can be enemies on the court and friends off the court. But I guess that's just not true.

[Rocker09]

These 2 just can't get over the past....

[dr8ked]

Fast Forward to the 2.52 mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mppYoYtU4kA&feature=player_embedded


:eek: :eek: :eek:

[samballs]

Isiah Thomas must be a real prick, is there anyone who still has his back? The guy gets trashed in every thing I read and has never succeeded in anything since 1990.

[godofgods]

But it won't surprise me if Magic is really a dick behind the scenes. I mean, he lived in the land of fake people (LA) for most his life, he probably got the fake disease.

[crisoner]

I really think those two developed a lot of animosity towards each other when they met in the Finals. People say they can be enemies on the court and friends off the court. But I guess that's just not true.


Exactly what I was thinking..............sad though. Life to short for this type of sh*t.

[HighFlyer23]

and people criticize todays stars for being a-holes :lol

[nnn123]

People didn't know Magic Johnson was a douche?!? Guess people really did get fooled by the Colgate smile and fancy passes.

How do you know he's a douche...got any stories to share? I love stories :D

[artificial]

People didn't know Magic Johnson was a douche?!? Guess people really did get fooled by the Colgate smile and fancy passes.
I plead guilty.

Honestly, I do. Magic's Mr. Smile attitude always made me think he was a rare example of an elite basketball player who wasn't a douche.

Damn, I feel like I've just been told the truth about Santa.

[Stringer Bell]

Most of this has been around awhile, but I haven't heard Isiah and Magic take shots at each other so publicly, nor had I heard Magic outright admitting to keeping Isiah off the Dream Team.

I remember I read an article in one of those "Information Please Sports Almanacs" in 1992, I thought the article was from SI but I couldn't find it in the vault.

Anyway they go over some of the controversy leading up to Magic announcing he had HIV where Jordan was accused of being TOO influential of the members of the Dream Team, while Magic was accused of being NOT influential enough of who'd be on the team.

The media around this time had a field day with this, Isiah allegedly spreading rumors that Magic was gay, Magic and Michael's actions (or lack of) keeping Isiah off the Dream Team. It was during this NBA season, 1991-92, where Jordan started getting more negative press as opposed to having the image of the NBA's Golden Boy for so long. He was so great that people later on just didn't care if he was a jerk or phony or whatever.

Anyway there's two sides to the story, my guess is that Isiah and Magic are both at fault.

[Abraham Lincoln]

http://www.aegis.com/news/ads/1992/AD921996.html

Washington Post (10/22/92), P. D3


Professional basketball star Magic Johnson has recently denied implications that he was lying about how he contracted HIV. Johnson, who spoke last night before a game against the New York Knicks, said another NBA player had spread the rumor that Johnson might have contracted HIV through homosexual contact. "There's a guy in this league, and I know who it is, who ran into a few people to try to insinuate that. These people called me up. ...Different coaches got wind of what was going on and they called me," said Johnson refusing to reveal the name of the player.

He added, "You know, if I was gay, you think these 11 guys [his teammates] wouldn't know that? They're with me every day. You think the coaches wouldn't know that?" "You think if I had a sexual experience with another man, he wouldn't be a millionaire right now, by coming out and saying that? We all know that he'd write a book, he'd be in the Enquirer, everything," said Johnson. He mentioned that he confronted the player and the player denied spreading the rumor. He also indicated that their friendship is finished.

[Killer_Instinct]

Great. Finally the truth. This means we can finally put Kobe ahead of Magic on the all-time Laker list. Way past due, if you ask me.

[1~Gibson~1]

Great. Finally the truth. This means we can finally put Kobe ahead of Magic on the all-time Laker list. Way past due, if you ask me.
put Kobe ahead of Magic because Isiah is upset with Magic? that makes no sense :no:

[Abraham Lincoln]

Great. Finally the truth. This means we can finally put Kobe ahead of Magic on the all-time Laker list. Way past due, if you ask me.
:no:

[Da_Realist]

Magic admitting his role in keeping Isiah off the Olympic Team reminds me of The Wire. Avon just found out it was Stringer who was behind D'Angelo's murder all along.

[guy]

I wouldn't be surprised if Isiah spreading rumors about Magic's sexuality is blown out of proportion like many rumors are. He could've just been curious and asking people that knew Magic if he was gay, and in a serious and concerned way, not joking and homophic way. I'm not saying thats something Magic shouldn't be upset with, but it might be going overboard to let go of a very close friendship. From the sounds of it, it doesn't like Isiah was going around claiming Magic was gay.

As far as the dream team thing goes, it doesn't sound like Magic was the guy mainly responsible as some people here think. Its just that Michael Jordan wasn't solely responsible. From the PTI segment, it sounds like Magic just didn't stick up for him like he used to in the past. And anyway, its common knowledge that Jordan wasn't the only guy that didn't like Isiah.

[Da_Realist]

I wouldn't be surprised if Isiah spreading rumors about Magic's sexuality is blown out of proportion like many rumors are. He could've just been curious and asking people that knew Magic if he was gay, and in a serious and concerned way, not joking and homophic way. I'm not saying thats something Magic shouldn't be upset with, but it might be going overboard to let go of a very close friendship. From the sounds of it, it doesn't like Isiah was going around claiming Magic was gay.

As far as the dream team thing goes, it doesn't sound like Magic was the guy mainly responsible as some people here think. Its just that Michael Jordan wasn't solely responsible. From the PTI segment, it sounds like Magic just didn't stick up for him like he used to in the past. And anyway, its common knowledge that Jordan wasn't the only guy that didn't like Isiah.

If they were as close as Magic claims they were (i.e. had an "Isiah" room in his house, leaving his house keys with him when Detroit was in town)...why wouldn't Isiah already know whether Magic was gay or not? Why would he need to ask the question?

And what would Isiah gain by throwing that rumor out there like that? I can't think of one motivation Isiah would have to making something like that up.

1) Magic admits they were as close as brothers.
2) Magic believes Isiah told people (not asked) that Magic was gay.

Something's just not adding up here. If 1 is true, why would 2 happen? And if 2 happened, then 1 can't be true -- unless

3) Magic IS gay or
4) Isiah is just so nasty that he would destroy a friendship over something he knew wasn't true.

If I were Magic, I would have left this out of the book altogether.

[guy]

If they were as close as Magic claims they were (i.e. had an "Isiah" room in his house, leaving his house keys with him when Detroit was in town)...why wouldn't Isiah already know whether Magic was gay or not? Why would he need to ask the question?

And what would Isiah gain by throwing that rumor out there like that? I can't think of one motivation Isiah would have to making something like that up.

1) Magic admits they were as close as brothers.
2) Magic believes Isiah told people (not asked) that Magic was gay.

Something's just not adding up here. If 1 is true, why would 2 happen? And if 2 happened, then 1 can't be true -- unless

3) Magic IS gay or
4) Isiah is just so nasty that he would destroy a friendship over something he knew wasn't true.

If I were Magic, I would have left this out of the book altogether.

I don't know. The point is rumors get blown way out of proportion. And for a celebrity who is known a million times more then the average person, I would assume rumors involving them get blown even more out of proportion. And on top of that, back then we didn't have the such readily accessible forms of media, specifically the internet, so the details are even more cloudy in comparison to today.

And by the way, I did say Magic has reason to be upset regardless. And the following comment isn't to help Isiah's case, but as close as they were, Isiah was in Detroit and Magic in Los Angeles. They weren't best friends like next door neighbors. If he actually asked the question, its not like its something he should've necessarily known.

Anyway, all signs point to Isiah being the bad guy since he has the history, but all I'm saying is this sounds like a he said-she said bull**** rumor that we'll never find the 100% truth of , which means its probably been blown out of proportion already.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4585983

Off-topic, for anyone that saw the PTI segment, I had no idea that Magic had to go through some of the stuff he did. I didn't know his teammates were that cold to him due to being afraid of contracting the virus, and the comedy club part was really foul. I'm not saying I can really blame his teammates since it was a different time and no one knew much about the disease, but man that must've been painful for Magic.

[iamgine]

Magic's chains of events:

Thought Isaiah spread gay rumors --> Got pissed --> Keep Isaiah off the dream team --> Got over it --> Everything is fine, friend again --> Trying to sell a book.

[Da_Realist]

I don't know. The point is rumors get blown way out of proportion. And for a celebrity who is known a million times more then the average person, I would assume rumors involving them get blown even more out of proportion. And on top of that, back then we didn't have the such readily accessible forms of media, specifically the internet, so the details are even more cloudy in comparison to today.

And by the way, I did say Magic has reason to be upset regardless. And the following comment isn't to help Isiah's case, but as close as they were, Isiah was in Detroit and Magic in Los Angeles. They weren't best friends like next door neighbors. If he actually asked the question, its not like its something he should've necessarily known.

Anyway, all signs point to Isiah being the bad guy since he has the history, but all I'm saying is this sounds like a he said-she said bull**** rumor that we'll never find the 100% truth of , which means its probably been blown out of proportion already.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4585983

Off-topic, for anyone that saw the PTI segment, I had no idea that Magic had to go through some of the stuff he did. I didn't know his teammates were that cold to him due to being afraid of contracting the virus, and the comedy club part was really foul. I'm not saying I can really blame his teammates since it was a different time and no one knew much about the disease, but man that must've been painful for Magic.

I see it the opposite way. High profile celebrities constantly deal with rumors. The way Magic reacted to this particular one... I don't know. It just seems strange the way it was handled if they were as close as Magic says they were. The things that he said that have already been leaked in this book are things he should have said to Isiah years ago. Isiah is just now finding out Magic was behind the Olympic snub?

Then again, it would be tough for Magic to show this side and still keep his public persona as polished as it was. Like I said, I don't know. But there is more to this that what we've heard.

[DuMa]

Great. Finally the truth. This means we can finally put Kobe ahead of Magic on the all-time Laker list. Way past due, if you ask me.

If i were a Laker fan, i'd castrate you.

[KempSonics]

According to Terry Foster (Detroit media personalit), there were rumors about Magic being gay even as a rookie:

Magic throws Isiah under the bus

Magic Johnson should be ashamed of himself because he sold out on his boy Isiah Thomas to sell books.

Johnson attacked the former Piston guard in a book he co-wrote with Larry Bird. Johnson admitted that he had a role in keeping Thomas off the 1992 Olympic Dream Team and that he believed Thomas questioned his sexuality when Johnson was diagnosed with HIV.

I have no doubt that Thomas asked people if Johnson were gay. But the whole league asked that question. That rumor was talked about when Johnson was a rookie in the NBA. I am not saying it is true but people talked about it.

The tragedy here is that Thomas and Johnson were like blood brothers. Johnson had a room for Isiah in his Los Angeles mansion and they did so many things together that you could write another book about a great friendship. That also included former Piston Mark Aguirre. They were the Three Amigos.

Johnson also sold out on Michael Jordan. He allowed Jordan to take full blame for keeping Thomas off the team by remaining silent. Thomas deserved to be on that team and I believe Johnson wanted him off for reasons other than he believed Thomas was a jerk. Magic wants the ball in his hands and Thomas was a great point guard that would demand it.

Instead, Utah's John Stockton got the spot.

Thomas did burn bridges because of his competitive nature. He wanted NBA titles and he took some of the glory away from Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. He never could never get rid of the south side of Chicago that festered inside. But Johnson and Bird and Jordan had personal issues also. They also were not angels.

[Tarik One]

He never could never get rid of the south side of Chicago that festered inside.

Isiah was from the west side. Don't ever insult southsiders like that again. Ever.

[crisoner]

Great. Finally the truth. This means we can finally put Kobe ahead of Magic on the all-time Laker list. Way past due, if you ask me.


Blasphemy

Your Laker fan license has been revoked.

[Da_Realist]

In honor of this thread...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbJjAejlef4

[Dasher]

"I don't discriminate," Thomas said. "I don't believe any race or ethnic group or social group should be discriminated against, because I have been discrimated against, and I know it would be wrong for me to discriminate."

BULL****ING****. He made racist comments against Larry Bird and white people and now he said this. LOL. ****ing racist punk. He deserved to be left out in the Dream Team. More power to the rest of the Dream Team for keeping him out. :applause:Zeke never said that. He was loyal, and took the fall for Dennis Rodman, who actually made the original comment.

[Stringer Bell]

Magic admitting his role in keeping Isiah off the Olympic Team reminds me of The Wire. Avon just found out it was Stringer who was behind D'Angelo's murder all along.

Isiah will soon have Magic offed.

[godofgods]

Great. Finally the truth. This means we can finally put Kobe ahead of Magic on the all-time Laker list. Way past due, if you ask me.

LOL WUT? Kobe isn't even ahead of Kurt Rambis in all-time Laker list.

[godofgods]

Isiah was from the west side. Don't ever insult southsiders like that again. Ever.

West side, South side, it's all hood, it's all bad.

[KubiliusF]

west side east side south side....*** it all.... like there`s any meaning and you have anything to do with so called reputation of coasts....GO *** yourselfs so called gangstas

[TryToBeUnbias]

Magic's chains of events:

Thought Isaiah spread gay rumors --> Got pissed --> Keep Isaiah off the dream team --> Got over it --> Everything is fine, friend again --> Trying to sell a book.
Sounds about right.

[33teeth]

Maybe they're both gay and it's a lover's quarrel?

Who cares anyway?

[BallersTalk]

Great. Finally the truth. This means we can finally put Kobe ahead of Magic on the all-time Laker list. Way past due, if you ask me.
Magic being an a-hole magically improves Kobe's game? Magic could murder someone tomorrow and it wouldn't change things. Kobe's simply not as good.

[Melissa]

My opinion is that they were Gay Lovers and one of them didnt want nothing to do with the relationship anymore so now there is conflict. Im serious.

News is so fabricated now that the reporter who they are telling the story to can package the story so both parties wont be offended. I think they are both scared to admit they were (or are) gay so they try and make up some weird story where all the pieces of the puzzle dont fit.

It makes more sense how they didnt want Isiah on the Dream Team if Magic/Isiah had a "thing" going on....think about it....

[phoenix18]

west side east side south side....*** it all.... like there`s any meaning and you have anything to do with so called reputation of coasts....GO *** yourselfs so called gangstas
Ummm..... for you to even equate a location with gangs and gangsters is stereotyping. Chicago is a humongous city, obviously, people are going to discern where they are from by saying what side. It would be stupid for every one to say they are just from Chicago. And if you say the name of what part, outsiders would not understand. Come on man, step your game up. There is no reason, in this age of wikipedia and google for you not to find a map to know what you are saying is wrong. Dead wrong.

[Da KO King]

How do you know he's a douche...got any stories to share? I love stories :D
Magic had Paul Westhead fired because Westhead's fastbreak style would have made Magic less important since it was a 2 lead guard system, had a role in the trade of Norm Nixon, came back from AIDS refusing to play PF, demanded to be promised the PG spot over Nick Van Exel, and refused to play again when his demands where not met.

[godofgods]

Isiah should've admitted that he did freeze Jordan in the all star game.
Jordan should've admitted that he was the one who didn't want Isiah to be in the Dream Team.

For players who are supposedly very courageous, they seem not to have the balls to admit these.

[Dasher]

Isiah should've admitted that he did freeze Jordan in the all star game.
Jordan should've admitted that he was the one who didn't want Isiah to be in the Dream Team.

For players who are supposedly very courageous, they seem not to have the balls to admit these.Isiah at the time of the freeze out was a young player like Mike. I really doubt that he had the stroke to tell players like Bird what to do. The Freeze-Out Game seems to be another instance of Isiah being made the scapegoat for the actions of others.

[pethuel03]

Now we have the gay lover stories. This is getting funny :oldlol:

[Da_Realist]

A Look Back at Isiah and Magic (http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/a-look-back-at-isiah-and-magic/)
By Harvey Araton

[I]In his latest incarnation as the N.B.A.

[sodapop]

Magic Johnson is scum. I never liked the guy. He was a great player to watch but stunk up the room whenever he opened his mouth. Magic instigated the feud between Isiah and MJ. I remember a interview with Isiah in 87, Isiah had lots of respect for MJ & the Chicago Bulls. After the 88 All Star game, something went wrong with MJ and Isiah. I remember hearing rumors about Magic's two faced ways, his wild hooker parties and was a instigator behind closed doors. The smile fooled many but the eyes told a different story.

[symbol33]

if what he says in the book isnt true then obviously he's a bastard for that.

And if he what he says is true... then WHY THE HELL WAS HE SO BUDDY BUDDY with Zeke all these years (they'd kiss each other on the cheeks on national TV)???????????

either way, I come off disliking Magic alot more from this entry.

I guess Magics one of them guys who will always smile to you even if deep down he doesn't like you or hate you. I can't stand people like that.

I agred with you. some guys can smile at you but indeed hate you very much, that's what they living for and i think they are afraid of showing others who they really are

[Chalkmaze]

Damn... People make WAY too big of a deal about Magic Johnson's smile.

[mamba24]

Im not gonna blame Isiah...this stuff should not be in some damn book to make some money...Magic Johnson the player will be one of the all time greats...but magic Johnson the man...is an absolute dick....you dont go around publishing crap about another player, while buddying him up for decades...

[Diesel J]

Great. Finally the truth. This means we can finally put Kobe ahead of Magic on the all-time Laker list. Way past due, if you ask me.


:lol