Slam: Isiah ‘Strongly Disagrees’ With Jordan, Magic on LeBron Criticism

[lefty]

Sorry if already posted

September 6, 2010 12:55 pm | 96 Comments
Isiah ‘Strongly Disagrees’ With Jordan, Magic on LeBron Criticism


While still disappointed that James didn’t choose to play for the Knicks, Thomas says he doesn’t agree with his fellow legends (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/isiah_lebron_should_be_knick_VrMyNo2BJeNovTmGfySg3 J)about LeBron’s decision. From the NY Post: “Thomas added Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan were wrong to condemn LeBron for joining forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. ‘I strongly disagree with their comments,’ Thomas said. ‘[Magic] had a great team. They said they wouldn’t have left but look who they were playing with. Those teams were stacked.’”

[elemento]

Agree with Isiah

[stretch]

+1

[Booharv]

I agree with Isiah, but a little back story on this: he clearly hates Magic and Michael. Especially since Magic's book came out where Magic admitted to helping keep Isiah off the Dream Team because Isiah was going around spreading rumors that Magic got HIV from gay sex. Basically Isiah was convinced Magic acquired the HIV from gay buttsex so he asked everyone in the NBA about it, even when he got an answer of "No, I've never heard anything about Magic being gay" the first 900x. He even asked Magic's agent if he was gay.

[koriwhat]

you know damn well had magic, bird, and jordan been able to team-up they would've. sure, their teams were stacked anyhow, but given the chance, i doubt they'd turn it down.

those three are the top tier of the nba and they want to be remembered that way instead of as sidekicks like pippen and the such. given the chance though, i think they would've jumped all over it.

[lefty]

I agree with Isiah, but a little back story on this: he clearly hates Magic and Michael. Especially since Magic's book came out where Magic admitted to helping keep Isiah off the Dream Team because Isiah was going around spreading rumors that Magic got HIV from gay sex. Basically Isiah was convinced Magic acquired the HIV from gay buttsex so he asked everyone in the NBA about it, even when he got an answer of "No, I've never heard anything about Magic being gay" the first 900x. He even asked Magic's agent if he was gay.

Source?

[HarlemHeat37]

Isiah showing he's one of the few NBA greats that doesn't feel the insecurity towards what Lebron, Wade and the rest of the Heat are going to accomplish..

[galvatron3000]

Kobe's team is more stacked than Michael's. The Bulls weren't stacked with talent but great role players. The 80's lakers had talent. That being said I believe MJ and MJ would have left if they were in similar situations especially Mike considering the level of talent he was surrounded with

[SenorSpur]

Of course, he would disagree, since he's been a jealous little bitch throughout his whole career. I'm sure those legends would disagree with the way in which he singlehandedly wrecked the CBA league and then single-handedly drove the Knicks further into NBA irrelevancy, by way of a succession of horrible personnel free agent moves and god-awful draft picks. The only reason he's even still affiliated with NBA basketball is because he's the buttboy of stupid Knicks owner, James Dolan.

[OLD SCHOOL]

Old School agrees with Isiah 100%.

[lefty]

Isiah showing he's one of the few NBA greats that doesn't feel the insecurity towards what Lebron, Wade and the rest of the Heat are going to accomplish..
Exactly

[JamStone]

I agree with Isiah, but a little back story on this: he clearly hates Magic and Michael. Especially since Magic's book came out where Magic admitted to helping keep Isiah off the Dream Team because Isiah was going around spreading rumors that Magic got HIV from gay sex. Basically Isiah was convinced Magic acquired the HIV from gay buttsex so he asked everyone in the NBA about it, even when he got an answer of "No, I've never heard anything about Magic being gay" the first 900x. He even asked Magic's agent if he was gay.

3 sides to every story.

Interesting how Lon Rosen paints Isiah as an HIV-homophobe even though Isiah grew up with a brother who had HIV and died of AIDs. Yeah... makes sense. This has been discussed on these boards before. At least offer both sides to the story, even though none of us can present the actual truth since none of us know for sure what the truth is.

Isiah is a lot of bad things. Horrible NBA GM, an asshole, a chauvinist, probably a closet gay himself. But people insisting on presenting that "Isiah spread rumors that Magic was gay" as if it were complete and irrefutable fact is bullshit. Now none of us know completely what went down. But don't make it seem like it's been proven fact when there's plenty of contradicting comments and statements to that notion.

But I'm sure you have personal knowledge of this to present the proper an factual "back story" to all of this...

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


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.''

The book's main source for this allegation is Magic's longtime agent, Lon Rosen, who says Thomas told him in 1991, "I keep hearing Magic is gay.''

"C'mon, Isiah, you know Earvin better than anyone,'' Rosen replies.

"I know,'' Thomas answers, "but I don't know what he's doing when he's out there in L.A.''

On Wednesday, Thomas denied that conversation. "I don't know Lon like that,'' he said, adding that he reached out to Johnson at the time. "I remember calling Magic and saying [of the allegations that he was rumor-mongering], 'You know that's some bulls---.' ''

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.

"I felt awful for him; I felt awful for everybody,'' Thomas said. "But I knew enough at that time that he didn't have to retire. The 'blood' thing we do in the NBA -- where we stop the game because of blood on somebody's shirt and all that ceremonious stuff -- we're not stopping HIV/AIDS that way. We still do it out of some insane fear that came about when Karl Malone and everybody was saying they weren't playing if Magic was playing.''

Instead, 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.''

When the Game Was Ours credits NBA commissioner David Stern with inviting Johnson to play in the All-Star Game, despite objections from some players and owners. The book does acknowledge, however, that Thomas was the first player to embrace Johnson on the court before the game.

"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.

"I think Magic has been misled on a lot of things, and unfortunately this has been another one of them. I am hurt and disappointed that he has chosen to believe others as opposed to his closest friends. And I think you can go back and look in that era and see who his closest friends were, and who his closest friends are now. At that time, I don't consider Lon Rosen to be one of his closest friends; he was one of his business advisers making money off him.''

[lefty]

At least Isiah is not a backstabber

[JamStone]

Of course, he would disagree, since he's been a jealous little bitch throughout his whole career. I'm sure those legends would disagree with the way in which he singlehandedly wrecked the CBA league and then single-handedly drove the Knicks further into NBA irrelevancy, by way of a succession of horrible personnel free agent moves and god-awful draft picks. The only reason he's even still affiliated with NBA basketball is because he's the buttboy of stupid Knicks owner, James Dolan.

As if the CBA was some sort of powerhouse organization before Isiah... He fucked up there. It wasn't like it wasn't already a fledgling money pit of an organization. Same with the Knicks. If Isiah drove the Knicks "further" into NBA irrelevancy, how did he do it single-handedly? Scott Layden shares as much if not more blame. Now Isiah shares plenty of blame, but it wasn't single-handedly. And most of his draft picks were far from god-awful. That's the one area he did either adequately and sometimes did a good job.

Isiah was a horrible GM but give him the appropriate criticism. And the only reason isiah is still affiliated with the NBA is because he was an unbelievable basketball player. It's the reason why plenty of incompetent NBA execs and coaches get more than one or two opportunities to be involved in the NBA.

[rjv]

now that isiah disagrees i have to agree with magic and bird now.

[Booharv]

Source? This is according to Magic's agent Lon Rosen, it was in Magic's book:

"Thomas: “I keep hearing Magic is gay.”

“C’mon, Isiah, you know Earvin better than anyone,” Rosen replies.

“I know,” Thomas answers, “but I don’t know what he’s doing when he’s out there in L.A.”

[Booharv]

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2009/10/23/magic-blames-isiah-for-gay-rumors/

[Booharv]

Jamstone, I fall on the side that believes the rumors because it was made to seem in the book that Magic was hearing about it from multiple sources iirc. But I can see the other side. This has already been discussed in this thread fwiw: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158164

[Killakobe81]

One question ...why would MJ, Magic or even charles be insecure about Lebron? MJ is just a super competitive asshole and Magic normally does all he can to praise the young stars in the NBA. They just look at things differently and I think they even said that (I know MJ and Magic did) even though THEY would not have left, or nadlded things the way Lebron did ...times have changed.
Now Adrian W and Charles for some strange reason, have gone out of their way to call Lebron a coward. Especially charles....and he was the one that said he would bet all he had that Lebron was gonna beat the celts. Maybe he lost some money in vegas and is lashing out ...but before the Lebacle chuck was very effusive in his praise for Lebron.

[Killakobe81]

As for Isiah ... he realy does suffer from the perceptions of him. MJ supposedly black-balled him for the Dream Team and now Magic has called him out recently. Isiah to me was just a notch below Magic and Bird in the 80's and I have seen many on here (and in the media) not give him his due. Stockton may have been a better "traditional" Point guard but there is no way in hell ... that he is a better player, than thomas. Thomas could, score pass (underrated passer)and though not a great defender ... was dirty and fiesty enough to make things tough on the opposing PG. Yes he is a shitty GM ...but he doesnt get enough props as a baller. To me he was a better shooting version of AI with better floor leadership. And also a two-time champion ...than counts a lot to me.

[lefty]

As for Isiah ... he realy does suffer from the perceptions of him. MJ supposedly balck-balled him for the Dream Team and now Magic has called him out recently. Isiah to me was just a notch below Magic and Bird in the 80's and I have seen many on here (and in the media) not give him his due. Stockton may have been a better "traditional" Point guard but there is no way in hell ... that he is a better player than thomas. Thomas could, score pass and though not a great defender ... was dirty and fiesty enough to make things tough on the opposing PG. Yes he is a shitty GM ...but he doesnt get enough props as a baller. To me he was a better shooting version of AI with better floor leadership. And also a two-time champion ...than counts a lot to me.
Not to mention his 25 pts in a quarter, on 1 leg

Ok, some of his points were scored before the injury occured, but he still made tough shots on bigger guys once he was injured

Damn

[JamStone]

Jamstone, I fall on the side that believes the rumors because it was made to seem in the book that Magic was hearing about it from multiple sources iirc. But I can see the other side. This has already been discussed in this thread fwiw: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158164

Not a matter of what story you believe. You personally and individually can believe what you want. It's a matter of you presenting one side as irrefutable and incontrovertible fact and that one side only as if the whole world agrees those are the facts. It simply not the case.

[21_Blessings]

Kobe's team is more stacked than Michael's. The Bulls weren't stacked with talent but great role players. The 80's lakers had talent. That being said I believe MJ and MJ would have left if they were in similar situations especially Mike considering the level of talent he was surrounded with

Yeah a top 5 player in the league to go along with 2 different All-NBA defending big men that just happened to be exceptional rebounders were nothing but role players surrounding his Airness.

Meanwhile Duncan is getting bamboozled in the 1st and 2nd rounds of the playoffs even though he's playing next to former a Finals/Olympic MVP; one of which Spur fan used to liken to Kobe Bryant. :flag:

And Jordan would have never willingly assumed a submissive position like Robin chose to do this summer. It's obviously Wade's team.

[Killakobe81]

Yeah a top 5 player in the league to go along with 2 different All-NBA defending big men that just happened to be exceptional rebounders were nothing but role players surrounding his Airness.

Meanwhile Duncan is getting bamboozled in the 1st and 2nd rounds of the playoffs even though he's playing next to former a Finals/Olympic MVP; one of which Spur fan used to liken to Kobe Bryant. :flag:

And Jordan would have never willingly assumed a submissive position like Robin chose to do this summer. It's obviously Wade's team.

This part is true. Many spur fans especially the season where Kobe elbowed Manu in the nose ...were arguing they would take Manu over Kobe due to Manu being clutch. They also said Kobe elbowed him because Kobe was "threatened" ...LOL

[ducks]

Isiah showing he's one of the few NBA greats that doesn't feel the insecurity towards what Lebron, Wade and the rest of the Heat are going to accomplish..

:lol:lol
james has won nothing and will continue to do so

[HarlemHeat37]

10 words with no mistakes..ducks is on fire tonight..

[koriwhat]

:lol:lol
james has won nothing and will continue to do so

i don't believe that's true. sooner or later, he'll get a ring.

[lefty]

10 words with no mistakes..ducks is on fire tonight..
Shouldn't mistakes be without an s ?

[Venti Quattro]

"please come to new york :cry"

[Koolaid_Man]

Sorry if already posted

September 6, 2010 12:55 pm | 96 Comments
Isiah ‘Strongly Disagrees’ With Jordan, Magic on LeBron Criticism


While still disappointed that James didn’t choose to play for the Knicks, Thomas says he doesn’t agree with his fellow legends (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/isiah_lebron_should_be_knick_VrMyNo2BJeNovTmGfySg3 J)about LeBron’s decision. From the NY Post: “Thomas added Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan were wrong to condemn LeBron for joining forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. ‘I strongly disagree with their comments,’ Thomas said. ‘[Magic] had a great team. They said they wouldn’t have left but look who they were playing with. Those teams were stacked.’”


Zeke also strongly disagrees with himself...it was his daughter that OD'd not him...:lmao

[picc84]

This part is true. Many spur fans especially the season where Kobe elbowed Manu in the nose ...were arguing they would take Manu over Kobe due to Manu being clutch. They also said Kobe elbowed him because Kobe was "threatened" ...LOL

When agenda calls for downplaying Kobe, Odom is a triple-double machine, Gasol is the spanish Wilt, Bynum is a 20/10 monster.

When agenda calls for downplaying Lakers, Odom is an inconsistent bum, Gasol is soft, Bynum is injured.

Really all depends on their angle, eh killa? :lol

Nice avi by the way. :lobt2:

[SenorSpur]

As if the CBA was some sort of powerhouse organization before Isiah... He fucked up there. It wasn't like it wasn't already a fledgling money pit of an organization. Same with the Knicks. If Isiah drove the Knicks "further" into NBA irrelevancy, how did he do it single-handedly? Scott Layden shares as much if not more blame. Now Isiah shares plenty of blame, but it wasn't single-handedly. And most of his draft picks were far from god-awful. That's the one area he did either adequately and sometimes did a good job.

Isiah was a horrible GM but give him the appropriate criticism. And the only reason isiah is still affiliated with the NBA is because he was an unbelievable basketball player. It's the reason why plenty of incompetent NBA execs and coaches get more than one or two opportunities to be involved in the NBA.

True that. I give the guy all his due credit for being one helluva ball player and one of the toughest competitors ever seen. He has even been, at times, a very good coach. His place in the Basketball HOF is unquestioned.

That said, that takes nothing away from his atrocious record as a basketball executive, and probably that as a human being. Let's not forget the alleged sexual harassment lawsuit that he accused of, when he was head honcho of the Knicks. A scandal that cost the Knicks, and their duphus owner, untold millions.

Personally, I thought the guy got a bad rap for his omission from the '92 Olympics. However, when the backstory to all that came out, it wasn't hard to understand why he became the victim of a backroom political freezeout by some members of the Dream Team.

Outside of the Knicks, no other organization would touch him. Is it any wonder he has very few allies left in NBA circles? I also wonder how the AD at FIU feels about him perpetually trying to keep one foot into the NBA world, when his attention and focus should be on the college basketball program that he currently heads up?

I'll give Isiah this much. He was never the on-court quitter that Lebrick is. Instead of trying to defend LeBrick from the big, bad, NBA legends who've criticized him, perhaps Thomas should give the kid a heart transplant.

[Giuseppe]

Meanwhile Duncan is getting bamboozled in the 1st and 2nd rounds of the playoffs

21, with the meanwhile goods, bamboozle style.