Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas are two iconic basketball players who had a legendary rivalry on the court. Both players were born and raised in the state of Michigan, and their paths crossed during their college years. Magic attended Michigan State University, while Isiah played for Indiana University. Their rivalry began to gain attention in 1979 when Magic and his Michigan State team faced off against Isiah and Indiana in the NCAA championship game. Magic's team emerged victorious, solidifying his status as a rising star in the basketball world. Isiah, however, would soon have his revenge as he led the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship two years later.

Magic Johnson And Isiah Thomas Were Best Friends Until Isiah Made A Comment About Larry Bird, According To NBA Insider

Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas were best friends early on in their careers but their relationship fell apart after Thomas' controversial comments on Larry Bird.

Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas are two of the greatest point guards we have ever seen and for quite a while, the two of them were very close friends. Magic once spoke about how Isiah was his best friend in the early years of their careers and how they would often get together to talk basketball. Isiah would learn about what it takes to win from Magic and eventually, he and the Pistons broke through and won two championships of their own. By that time, however, the relationship between the two had soured and it wasn't because Thomas had beaten Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1989 NBA Finals. Jeff Pearlman, author of Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, said that Isiah's controversial comments regarding Larry Bird in 1987 were a big blow to their relationship.

"The relationship took a major hit when Thomas talked trash about Larry Bird, making a case that he was overrated because he was white. Magic and Bird weren't close, but there was a bond—Michigan State–Indiana State, entering the league together, Boston-Lakers clashes—between Johnson and Bird. When Thomas made those comments, Magic called Bird and made clear he didn't agree. The Magic-Thomas relationship was never the same."

The comment in question here is when Isiah agreed with teammate Dennis Rodman and said that Bird would be just another good player if he was black. It caused outrage and Thomas held a press conference with Bird, where he tried to walk back on those comments, but the damage was done. Some believe that this remark was just one of the many reasons why Thomas was eventually left out of the Dream Team for the 1992 Olympics.

Isiah, however, would soon have his revenge as he led the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship two years later. Their collegiate success set the stage for their NBA careers. Magic was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, and Isiah was selected by the Detroit Pistons.

Magic And Isiah Made Up A Few Years Back

Magic and Isiah weren't on great terms for a long time after this and their relationship suffered another big blow in 1991 when Magic tested positive for HIV. His agent Lou Rosen told him that Thomas was spreading rumors about his sexuality, something Isiah denied ever doing. That also played a role in Thomas not being in the Dream Team and the two men kept growing apart as the years went by. It was only a few years back in 2017 that they finally buried the hatchet in an incredibly emotional 1-on-1 interview. It remains such a beautiful moment and it was wonderful to see the two old friends finally get back together.

What happened between Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas?

Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas are two of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Despite both playing mostly through the 1980s on rival teams, the two superstars developed a close bond.

The two even famously gave each other a brotherly kiss on the cheek just before Game 1 between the LA Lakers and the Detroit Pistons during the 1988 NBA Finals.

However, the two would eventually have a huge falling out, and their well-known friendship would turn into a long feud. Surprisingly, the events that surrounded it would go beyond just a rivalry on the court.

That began when Johnson was diagnosed with HIV. During that time, there was a misconception about how a person could contract the virus. When people around the league found out, most players avoided Johnson for fear of getting infected.

Amidst all that, Isiah Thomas apparently questioned and criticized Johnson's sexuality, which obviously hurt his feelings. Johnson talked about how Thomas allegedly spread rumors about him in the book "When The Game Was Ours" authored by Larry Bird, Jackie MacMullan and Magic himself.

Things would only get worse between the two when the roster for the 1992 Olympics was revealed. Isiah Thomas was left out, and Magic Johnson apparently played a role in ensuring that the former didn't get selected.

Also Read: Two-time NBA champ Isiah Thomas once kept a life-shattering secret from his teammate during the NBA Finals

Their teams became two of the fiercest rivals in the NBA during the 1980s and early 1990s. Magic and Isiah both possessed remarkable skills and were known for their leadership on the court. Magic was known for his exceptional court vision and ability to make his teammates better. Isiah, on the other hand, was known for his scoring ability and fearless demeanor. Their rivalry reached its peak during the NBA Finals in 1988 and 1989 when the Lakers and Pistons faced off against each other. The Lakers emerged victorious in 1988, but the Pistons got their revenge the following year, defeating the Lakers in a stunning upset. Despite their intense rivalry, Magic and Isiah shared a deep respect for each other. They were known to have a close friendship off the court and often spoke highly of each other's skills. This camaraderie was evident when Magic made a surprise appearance at Isiah's farewell game in 1994. However, their relationship suffered a significant strain in the late 1980s due to some controversial remarks made by Isiah. Magic publicly spoke about his HIV diagnosis in 1991, and Isiah was accused of spreading rumors and making derogatory comments about Magic's health. This incident caused a deep rift between the two players, and they maintained a strained relationship for several years. In recent years, Magic and Isiah have made efforts to reconcile and mend their friendship. They have publicly spoken about their past issues and expressed a desire to move forward. Both players have acknowledged the importance of their rivalry in shaping their careers and have developed a newfound appreciation for each other's contributions to the sport. Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas will forever be remembered as two of the greatest basketball players of their generation. Their rivalry, though at times contentious, was a testament to their passion and dedication to the game. Their story serves as a reminder of the intense rivalries that define the world of sports and the enduring power of friendship and forgiveness..

Reviews for "Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas: Celebrating their Contributions to Basketball"

1. John Doe - 2 stars - While "Magic and Isiah" is hailed as a historical masterpiece, I found it to be rather disappointing. The book lacks depth and fails to portray the true essence of Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas. The writing style is bland and lacks the captivating narrative that I usually enjoy in memoirs. Overall, I was left wanting more from this supposed tell-all about two iconic basketball players.

2. Jane Smith - 1 star - "Magic and Isiah" fell short of my expectations. The book is filled with trivial anecdotes and lacks any real substance. It fails to delve into the complexities of their relationship and the impact they had on basketball. Instead, it focuses on mundane details that only serve to bore the reader. It's a shame that such a promising subject was wasted on this lackluster memoir.

3. Mike Johnson - 2 stars - As a fan of both Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas, I was excited to read "Magic and Isiah." However, I was left disappointed by the book's lack of depth and reflection. It barely scratches the surface of the complex and sometimes contentious relationship between the two players. The writing style feels rushed and doesn't do justice to the impact these two individuals had on the game of basketball. Sadly, "Magic and Isiah" failed to capture the essence of their legacy.

4. Rachel Thompson - 1.5 stars - "Magic and Isiah" is a poorly written and underwhelming memoir. The narrative jumps around without any coherent structure, making it difficult to follow. Additionally, the author fails to offer any real insights or introspection into the lives of Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas. It feels more like a superficial collection of stories rather than a genuine exploration of their relationship and basketball careers. Overall, I found this book to be a major disappointment.

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