Magic VS Isiah feud

[Danny Darko]

The criticisms are made by Johnson in When The Game Was Ours, which he co-wrote with Larry Bird and author Jackie MacMullan. The book, to be released on Nov. 4, tells the inside story of the most important rivalry in basketball history.

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.''

After Thomas suffered a severe ankle sprain in Game 6 of that series -- he set an NBA Finals record with 25 points in the third quarter despite the injury -- the Lakers refused to let him use their training facilities, he said. "I tried calling Magic on the phone and he wouldn't take my phone calls,'' said Thomas, who got help from an unlikely source, the Los Angeles Raiders.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/10/22/isiah.magic/1.html


Hmmm interesting read. I hate Isiah, but I could see some of what he said being true. I think it's kinda cool to hear how players black balled Jordan his rookie year, then Isiah from the Olympics. Also Al Davis stepping in to support Thomas' need for a trainer after his injury and the Lakers refusal to help him.

[dockingsched]

just read it. some pretty good stuff. thomas taking credit for magic getting play in the 92 all-star game, thomas supposedly questioning magic's sexual orientation, and magic's on and off camera persona.

"Let's be real. I'm not going to say the things Magic said in private about Larry, but I do know the public stance he's taken [in becoming Bird's friend]," Thomas said. I know that's not how he felt about Larry Bird. Magic hated Larry, and he tried to make other people hate Larry. Magic was no friend of Larry Bird's during that time. And his Laker teammates will tell you that. And I'm sure they've got to be disgusted with the way he's carried on with this whole me-and-Larry bull.''

[Sedale Threatt]

I have no doubt Magic and Larry hated each other. Hardly a surprise considering they were competing virtually every year for the ultimate prize. I think they'd both even admit it.

I think it speaks to both men that they have gotten to know, respect and appreciate each other over the years, which in my mind only enhances their rivalry.

Isaiah, on the other hand, wishes he had that kind of relationship -- with anybody he played with or against. Dude even got into a fist fight with Bill Laimbeer after they'd won two titles together. Not that I blame him, but still.

I'll bet Jordan's in the same boat, or pretty close to it. Pretty sure I heard somewhere that even Pippen isn't on speaking terms with him.

[Magicontinues]

Here's a vid of the 1985 all star game, it hardly looks like Jordon was frozen out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8b7FDBXsjc

[Danny Darko]

true, it doesn't really look like a freeze out, so much as as rookie not being aggressive. But then again, isiah didn't lay any kisses on him, so maybe that's what they meant.

[Tonyism74]

as a Laker fan, it sucks that I have to agree with Isaiah. What Johnson exposed in the book is a punk move. He basically put everyone else on the spot by saying everyone else didint want Isaiah etc., thats just very low class of him. I never appreciated Johnson and his public criticism of Laker players, active Lakers players like Kobe, publicly. As part owner, he has an obligation to the team/franchise in keeping certain comments internally. From Basketball Player, to millionaire businessman, he seems to think he has a license to say whatever he wants because of his image and "smile."

Thought Isaiah made his mistakes over the years, what Johnson said in his book is just a straight b!tch move. He knows he led Isaiah to believe they were friends all these years.

[Pablo Escobar]

I don't care about players personal lives Isiah was one of the best pgs and magic was the best pg they were both great players and that is all that should matter

[The Laker Kid]

I've been following this story and it's interesting how Magic still calls him out after so many years have passed. He should have just let it go.

[Slava]

When Phil Jackson writes stuff about Kobe, its Kobe the selfish bastard to blame and when Magic writes stuff about Isiah its bich move by Magic huh? Different strokes for different folks I guess. Not like we know Isiah to be a saint either.

[TonyMontana]

I really dont know what to say about all of this. Maybe Magic should've left Isiah out of his book. Maybe Isiah was a itch, the part that sucks is these guys are legends of this sport and now after all these years they are playing the he said she said game.

Funny how people use to talk crap on Kobe and Shaq drama, at least they didnt wait decades to tell each other to F.O.

[Sofa King]

I don't what the big issue is. At first I got that Magic didn't like Isiah then. But that was then and at that time Magic was pointing out what was going on with him and Isiah then. Let the past be the past and say it how it is.

[Danny Darko]

Sofa

[Kreuk]

controversy sells books much better than throwing flowers at people does. his book isn't titled, "magic's look back through rose-colored glasses".

i wouldnt be surprised if isaiah was in on it. or at least knew about it. he has to play a part too. and now watch him get a book deal.

[RASMARX]

So Magic is Bisexual? Interesting.

[DEEP3CL]

the Lakers refused to let him use their training facilities, he said. "I tried calling Magic on the phone and he wouldn't take my phone calls,'' said Thomas, who got help from an unlikely source, the Los Angeles Raiders.
"Al [Davis, the Raiders' owner] called Chuck [Daly, the Pistons' coach] because they were close, and he said, 'Screw the Lakers, you can come and use our facilities.' I had to get treatment at the Raiders' facility because Magic and the Lakers wouldn't let me use their ultrasound, hot tubs and whirlpools. I tried calling him to see if he could talk to the trainer, and he wouldn't pick up the phone.''

OK, come on Isiah........how freakin dumb you gotta be? You in the middle of the damn NBA Finals and you expect Magic to pick up the damn phone? Man Isiah is dumber than I thought he already was. Then you didn't think your friendship would change one bit by competing for the highest prize in the league?

I don't need to buy the book, I already knew the "real" when it came to the Olympic team, the All Star game and all that other stuff.

[SApuro_]

Isiah is a douche. Once a jerk always a jerk. He was one of the greatest players to ever play the game but he's a terrible person. Magic should have called him out years ago. Magic has been nothing but stand up. Kind of curious why he chose now to take a swipe at thomas but I will give hime the benefit of the doubt. Magic has done more the game and his community then Isiah could dream of.