Magic Johnson prefers Isiah Thomas & Michael Jordan to settle their beef: “I don't like it…They're my boys"
LA Lakers icon Magic Johnson shared that he doesn't like the extended animosity between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. Both players have had bad blood between them since they consistently met each other in the playoffs, which led to legendary bouts between their teams.
Recently on the "All The Smoke" podcast, Johnson talked about the prolonged feud.
"I don't like it," Johnson said. "I think they should be done with that. Listen, we played when we played. We all had to dislike each other to win a championship. We all had to do what we had to do.
"But now, what Michael is doing is incredible. To be an owner in the NBA. His shoe is still No. 1. I mean, you can put all those guys' shoes sales together; they can't even mess with Michael Jordan's shoes. And so and then, Isiah is a businessman himself, all the things that he's doing. So, why are we still right living in the past?"
Matt Barnes said that only Magic has the power to fix their tainted relationship.
"I'm definitely gonna try man, because they should be past it," Johnson said. "They're my boys. So, I guess I'm gonna have to be the one to bring them together."
There were tons of situations that led to the two players disliking each other. Some say that the 1985 All-Star "Freeze Out" was the beginning of their feud. Some have highlighted their 1991 Eastern Conference finals series, when the Detroit Pistons refused to shake the hands of the Chicago Bulls players.
Also, who could forget the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, when the USA assembled the greatest team in history. However, Thomas wasn't included in the iconic "Dream Team," a group that Jordan most likely played a huge part in assembling.
Also read: Magic Johnson claims Brooklyn Nets the biggest threat to Boston Celtics going to NBA Finals
Can Magic Johnson help fix the damaged relationship of Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas?
Aside from Jordan, Thomas also had a difficult relationship with Magic Johnson back then. Both point guards were highly competitive and wanted to get the best out of each other. In 1988, the Pistons and the Lakers were the top two teams that matched up against each other in the NBA finals.
According to Magic, the series changed their relationship.
"Yeah, it did," Johnson said. "And I'm sad I have to sit here and say that. But it did."
The good thing is that both players have forgiven each other after decades of not being in a good relationship with one another. ESPN even had a special where the two talked about what they went through and forgave each other.
If Johnson was able to reconcile with his former rival, maybe he can do the same with Thomas and Jordan down the line.
Also read: Magic Johnson reveals Kawhi Leonard almost joining LA Lakers: “Nobody knew Anthony Davis was going to be available for trade”