Magic Johnson calls out Stephen A. Smith's new playoffs list - "You forgot Isiah Thomas scored 25 points in 1 quarter"
Five-time NBA champion Magic Johnson called out ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith for leaving out Detroit Pistons great Isiah Thomas in his list of small guards with impressive playoff runs in league history.
Speaking on "NBA Countdown," Smith discussed the solid play in the ongoing playoffs of New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, which eventually landed the 6-foot-2 guard at No. 1 in his 'Big List.'
Brunson was placed ahead of Kyrie Irving (2016), Damian Lillard (2019), Steph Curry (2015) and Allen Iverson (2001).
Also expressing disagreement with the selection of Smith was LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who reminded of the stellar play of Thomas against them in the 1998 NBA Finals, including scoring 25 points in one quarter despite injuring his right ankle.
Johnson took to X (formerly Twitter) and called out Smith, writing:
"Stephen A. you forgot Isiah Thomas scored 25 points in one quarter on an injured leg against my Showtime Lakers during the 1988 NBA Finals! How could you leave him off your All-Time Playoff small guard list?"
In defending his choice of Brunson as No. 1, Smith highlighted the numbers he has been posting of 33.9 points and 7.5 assists, punctuated by five 40-plus point games in the ongoing playoffs.
Smith's fellow panelists Mike Wilbon, Malika Andrews, and Bob Myers also questioned his selection, but the fiery host of "First Take" vehemently defended his choices and said he was sticking to it.
Magic Johnson says Isiah Thomas's 25-point quarter performance was for the books
Isiah Thomas' heroic performance in Game 6 of the 1988 NBA Finals remains one of the standout showings in NBA history and Magic Johnson could not agree more.
While Thomas' Detroit Pistons lost to Johnson and the LA Lakers, 103-102, in said game, the way 'Zeke' battled his way from a severely sprained ankle to score 25 points in the third quarter put his effort among the most gutsy in league history.
Johnson spoke about Thomas' performance, highlighting the legend that the Pistons guard was. He said by way of NBA.com:
"I think he was just unconscious . I think he said. 'Okay. I'm going to take this game over'. I've seen him do that before. He was in rhythm. When he starts skipping and hopping, that means he's in rhythm. That means he's ready."
Also left impressed was Thomas' late coach in Detroit, Chuck Daly, who said:
"We got a miraculous game from Isiah, as hurt as he was. He got us back in the game..."
The Pistons eventually lost the series in seven games but Thomas and Detroit came back with a bang, winning consecutive NBA titles in 1989 and 1990.