Magic Johnson explains why Isiah Thomas was left off the Dream Team | First Take

Magic Johnson speaks to Stephen A. Smith about Isiah Thomas being left off of the 1992 USA Dream Team and shares his hope that IT and MJ will reconcile one day and become friends.
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[@rayj1013]

"If you can dodge a question - you can dodge a ball. " - Magic

[@KhalilAttiba]

He answered and his answer was and is Isaiah.... are we all watching the same clip!!

[@lmtrey5]

Khalil Attiba pretty sure he’s talking about the first question that Magic was asked...

[@rickyv7757]

Lol

[@rayj1013]

@@lmtrey5 I thought it was it obvious but I guess I was wrong haha

[@blakepoliziani6370]

Didn't dodge HIV

[@mayorrodgers7446]

I missed the part where he explains why he was left off the team.

[@jej495]

Magic and MJ had something to do with it

[@tjblackartist]

You’d have to know some background. But he briefly mentioned it. It was too much tension between MJ and Isaiah. MJ as in Michael.

[@jej495]

@@tjblackartist stfu

[@jarviswilliams2465]

@@jej495 Better believe Bird did too, he didn't forget what the bad boy Pistons did to him

[@rd812]

They didn’t need another scorer

[@period8705]

It makes me feel amazing to hear Magic talking IT in a positive way.

[@biggerchungus7]

I see what you did there. Positive

[@aaronflowers8881]

@@biggerchungus7 shut up

[@StrictlyG4ten]

Zeke

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

I am disappointed at the disrespect to Stockton here. He was the best point guard in 1992 BY FAR. And the second best was Hardaway, who was the only player on the 1992 First or Second Team not to make the Dream Team because he was bumped for Magic getting a legacy spot. (Bird also got a legacy spot and Laettner was the token college player). Now you want to bump Stockton, one of the best players in the league, to give a THIRD legacy spot to player who is simply not on the level of either Magic or Bird, and is also unpopular? No way

[@allthingsconsidered...4894]

@@JohnSmith-oe5kx He still isnt better than Zeke... he beat the BIG 3 in Bird, Magic, Jordan. John Stockton is nowhere near Zeke.

[@johnfu3850]

When I first heard about this controversy in 1992, I, too, believed that Jordan was the cause for why Isiah was left off the dream team. Now, 30 years, I still believe Jordan was a huge part of it. But out of curiosity, I looked at Isiah's and Stockton's 1991 stats (Stockton was chosen shortly after the 1991 finals), I saw some basketball justifications for choosing Stockton over Isiah. It is all about timing, and 1991 was extremely bad for Isiah. To begin with, he was hurt and was kept to 48 games. Stockton played and started all 82. Isiah scored 776 points, had 446 assists and 160 rebounds. Stockton's was 1297 points, 1126 assists and 270 rebounds. Both were point guards and had to distribute the ball. Well, Stockton had an amazing 13.7 assists per game to Isiah's 9.3! That's almost 10 more points per game attributable to Stockton that year! Isiah's prime was behind him, while Stockton was on the ups. But most important (basketball-wise), Isiah had surgery on his shooting hand. That limited his ability to contribute on the court. Indeed, that was a serious reason why the Pistons lost that Eastern Finals Series to the Bulls. So there were other reasons beyond politics and popularity to keep Isiah out of the 1992 US team.

[@DigitalOdyssey3001]

Read the post by Kagiso Edward. Says it all. Stockton chose Isiah to introduce him for his HOF induction. Even Stockton knew. Nuff said.

[@johnfu3850]

@@DigitalOdyssey3001 no doubt about it. Player to player, overall, Isiah definitely had a better career. However, 1991 was what mattered for the Dream Team selection. And Stockton actually had a better year in 1991

[@BBBYpsi]

@@johnfu3850 By your standards of play time then Magic should not have been on that team. He was retired & many Olympic teams had a problem with Magic being in the Olympics because not enough was known about HIV back then.

[@johnfu3850]

@@BBBYpsi you forgot about bird who was practically immovable due to his back injury. read my posting again please. I am not saying Stockton's basketball achievement in 1991 was the only reason why he was selected over Isiah Thomas. What I am saying is there were other reasons besides popularity and politics that could justify Stockton's selection. Of course Jordan's popularity and Magic's popularity had a lot to do with the selection process. Denying that is to deny the obvious.

[@E-Jizza]

That is a well thought out explanation of 🐂 💩. Magic best years were behind him and he had retired, yet he was chosen. Bird was dealing with severe back issues as well. That injury suggestion doesn't hold weight

[@adrianqsk]

Interviewer: Did MJ keep Isiah off the Dream Team? Magic: Yesn't.

[@salexander3801]

🤣 genius

[@lingimee]

😆

[@fenrirunshackled4319]

I think its "Yes, but everyone else didn't want him either."

[@guadalupelozoya9412]

@@fenrirunshackled4319 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@jas7374]

@MANCHESTER UNITED To the country that matters tho.... Lame🤣🤣🤣

[@juschill1]

Magic SHOWTiMED his way through these questions

[@JohnnyLREACTS]

Otis Thelonius ‘he-hee’ (dream team interviews). He was very careful lol. He and Isaiah are good now.

[@youngomg8503]

You downloaded KZbin 14 yrs ago

[@tonygreene81able]

HAHA...indeed

[@oskiH]

like no other

[@jhragins96]

😂😂😂😂 🏆

[@mankalazatsiry4539]

I was still living in small town in Africa when we discover the Dream Team. Its the first time that i heard about Magic, MJ, Bird and all the players. But those players become very famous from the begining of the Olympic. It;s like 60% of the youth who know their name. Unfortunately, even now, i know very little about Isiah

[@hitekdialect]

That's really too bad. Isiah was the best point guard not named Magic Johnson at the time and is in the top 3 or 4 PGs of at all time. For me it's Magic, Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas. It's too bad you were cheated out of witnessing that.

[@tomwellman1757]

@@hitekdialect Saw a clip where they asked Magic for his opinion of 5 best players by position (without picking yourself) and Magic picked Isiah Thomas for point guard.

[@georgegeorgiou74]

He ruined the Knicks. The end.

[@Torpedomtb]

Here is the deal. Due to how he played in the NBA None of the other players wanted to be around him at that time. If Jordan, Magic, Pippen, and Bird didnt want to play with him. He is not going to be part of it. You can be the best at what you do but if others dont want to work with you who cares how good you are.

[@bmla88]

You forgot Karl Malone

[@Endtime-or1bs1br5q]

TRUTH

[@jaygates3479]

Exactly how did he IT play? I thought he was part of a team.

[@derekbanks7377]

As a opposition I see your point but Zeke was going to be their teammate and their was only two people that didn’t want him on that team besides Magic and that was Scotty and MJ knowbody else had a problem so stop the narrative that knowbody wanted to play with him! Further they played in the all star game with him a year before and knowbody had a problem then! This was a direct personal decision based off mainly MJ! Scotty just a follower and Magic heard rumors of his best friend turned on him! Now since Magic and Zeke talked the truth is out and somebody who started the whole thing is about to get exposed! And that person haven’t done interviews lately because he doesn’t want to get exposed by the media!! The truth is going to come out just a matter of time.

[@jaygates3479]

@@derekbanks7377 really just depends on who you believe, MJ in his HOF speech said he didn’t play a part in keeping IT off the team. The last dance is about creating controversy and tv ratings.

[@martysumpter234]

Magic talked around that question like he was on trial facing life in prison

[@richardtaylor5995]

YEAH, he did!! LOL

[@adajourbanks5618]

Marty Sumpter we live in a society where the truth really ain’t important anymore

[@teleplace2639]

Yea; which ? ?

[@RichV20]

Magic is like Joe Biden and Zeke is like Tara Reid

[@jamesdawny1855]

No he didn’t lol.

[@kagisoedward9459]

I respect Stockton. He chose Isiah to introduce him for his HOF induction.

[@Jc-si6pj]

Kagiso Edward wow pretty cool

[@jrsmith1998]

Kagiso Edward ohhhh I see now. I watched Jordan’s hall of fame speech and I was wondering why Isiah Thomas was in the audience. He was there because Stockton was being inducted also. Thanks.

[@samiahmed6875]

And Isiah Thomas got a scar from Kar Malone due to him for embarrassing Stockton

[@HeIsHim00]

@NaghaviSystem I take you thought that racist joke was funny

[@Itsmodok]

D Lann lmao

[@missayawk]

That was MAGIC how he answered that question.

[@magmax76]

Isiah was kept off the team because Magic felt like Isiah was spreading a viscous rumor about Magic around the league. The blame just happened to fall on Jordan, but Magic primarily pulled those strings to keep Isiah off the Dream Team.

[@lifeallah8005]

Bird n Magic ….

[@SugoiEnglish1]

Was it IT's rumor about Magic being bi-sexual or experimenting and got HIV because of it????

[@kidusyigzaw7547]

Magic went around the question

[@roxxylala26]

Yeah because he was one of the players "at the time" that didn't get along with IT & probably one of the players that didn't want him on the team. Lol

[@jaybrick8973]

He dont want to say how he was really feeling at the time lol

[@123456CBOY]

Of course he did we all seen his expression

[@sheriffquick]

The Title is misleading... Click bait

[@chijiokechukwudum3177]

He kind of answered it though. He chose Isaiah

[@76JStucki]

They didn’t need to choose between Stockton and Isaiah. Just get rid of Laettner, who really didn’t belong there at all, and take em both!

[@dgib9449]

Shaq was supposed of took Christian spot

[@haydeis5230]

The Olympic selection committee decided to bring one rookie, as homage to the previous Olympic teams. Knowing that a rookie wouldn’t be beating out anyone for PT, they took the manageable ego in Laettner over the better prospect in Shaq.

[@anthonyshats4427]

Yeah but laettner had a spark at that time, should have been shaq honestly or Hakeem why no mention of them

[@oneyedthing]

No way they were taking out laettner. A college representative is required. Laettner and Shaq were the choices. If there was a player to be taken out it should have been Chris Mullin. Dominique Wilkins should have gotten that spot

[@jongmacinas2580]

That college slot was required, it was only between Shaq or Laettner.

[@BonnChnd]

According to Charles Barkley “Isiah and Stockton were the two best “pure” point guards in NBA history “.

[@soraventus4906]

CP3 is better than Stockton

[@Slimpickinsorl]

U know Bark said “purr”

[@powerboatguy2308]

@@soraventus4906 Yes, a more complete player than Stockton. Stockton was a great player, but was a system player. He and Malone made each other better, along with the coach who designed the offense. If Malone were in foul trouble, it would not be like Stockton was going to take over the scoring piece. Isiah and CP3 could do that.

[@gregrowe1168]

@@powerboatguy2308Isiah could have lead the league in scoring if he wanted to.

[@jeffreykennedy5953]

I grew up in Indiana not far from the Illinois border and 45 minutes from Chicago. I was in college when the bulls drafted Jordan. My buddies and I got to see Jordan’s entire career and consider it a blessing to witness all that greatness in real time. Obviously we hate Thomas as kinda a punk but also respect him as a great player. On the flip side, the entire state of Indiana idolized Bobby Knight at that time - especially us HS basketball players. We all knew everything Bob Knight did or said and every player on his roster. We all knew about the players he ripped to pieces in practice - which was everyone- star and scrub alike. It was well known that Knight very rarely berated Thomas. The reason was well known too - he was just immune to mistakes - he made all the right decisions all the time in practice and in games. Knight had nothing to yell at. No conclusion from me - just offering that perspective to those who don’t know that.

[@mj23goat3]

Ain't no "kinda" about it. Zeke is the biggest punk in league history, if not the entirety of sports. F*ck 'im.

[@ltjjenkins]

What Knight said and didn't say about IT says a whole bunch.

[@1shinytop686]

Well he made a mistake when he threw the ball to Larry Bird in the final game of the playoffs and thus lost the series. I bet Knight would have yelled at him then! Bahahahaha!

[@dans9215]

I was a Utah Jazz fan in the 80's and 90's. I had friends who would give me tickets to the Jazz games when they couldn't make it. The best teams I saw the Jazz play against were the Trailblazers and knicks. I could have seen the MJ Bulls, but the price tag was 500 usd. That was a full paycheck for me, back then. So I didn't ever see Jordan in person. If I could go back in time, I now would pay the 500 gladly and buy his rookie cards before they went crazy.

[@runeminer907]

I knew Magic played Defense, but the deflection game at the age of 60..... I’m Impressed 🧐

[@a-ddaigrepont3375]

stock was way better than ball hog IT

[@freightJames]

@@a-ddaigrepont3375 Stockton is a glorified Mark Price I can name several PGs better than John

[@dyvonshipp]

A-D Daigrepont trippin

[@loyalfans-kxngunkasaxxx2223]

A-D Daigrepont You smoking meth

[@perfectbeat]

lol 💯

[@camoflauge1297]

He talking like he didn’t have nothing to do with him not being on the team... so no one knows nothing🤣🤣

[@vincentestone5764]

EXACTLY.

[@kmoney362]

Deadass bro... somebody lying 😂

[@rasheedahking3197]

@@kmoney362 On God my first thought when I watched this is my favorite player is lying like a mug. I love Magic so so so much, but this was a politicians answer. They all know he deserved to be there and they all iced him out

[@ebro3251]

Did anyone catch that slight grin from Magic when he said I know he is hurt?

[@XMAN4708]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🙄 MAGIC HAD A LOT TO DO WITH IT IN MY OBSERVATION!!! MAGIC IS BEING DISHONEST!!!

[@mattcoulson4735]

As a 20 year basketball coach, and 30+ years of hoops under my belt, chemistry is important. Even when the deck is stacked like the dream team.

[@hookemdagawd5607]

Are u saying if thomas was on the team instead of Stockton that they would have lost? Surely ur not that dumb 😂

[@mattcoulson4735]

@Mark Warner oh 100% they are still winning gold with Isiah over Stockton. But is the chemistry the same, does the team come together like they did and grow close and show the world how great a game it is. Or does Isiah's presence put some division? Do yhe same guys all show up if zeke is there?

[@engelmann82]

The best comment imo came from max and was totally overlooked here: the didn't need another scorer/closer...they needed a guy to distribute the ball to all the other scorers.

[@blackstarafro2]

Magic saying that people should move on, is him avoiding the question. Just be honest that he had a voice in isiah being left out.

[@gregthanks4757]

Like the line from the godfather, I KNEW IT WAS YOU FRADDO, AND YOU BROKE MY HEART.,,,looking back now that was a big issue that he still denies to this day,

[@CEELOW3000]

FACTS

[@sliderx1897]

Cant change the past

[@kmartcentral3580]

He did in his autobiography... MJ didn’t like him but didn’t make that call at all, like the doc says

[@Mzee1084]

Magic and Isiah have made up now so obviously he doesn't want to reignite anything.

[@barakajay]

He MAGICALLY danced all around that answer

[@jinknight2439]

Underrated comment.

[@bcancun123]

it was alley oop answer lol

[@JJR1993]

He’s professional and not messy

[@LanierHale-oq3dr]

I saw Majic "levitate" around the answer like riding a Magic carpet.

[@kenmcneillmusic1699]

It’s all in the past and as a Piston fan I had to let it go too. I gave my heart to Isaiah, Joe Dumars, Salley, Rodman, Vinnie, Laimbeer, and the rest of the Bad Boys and it hurt the fans as well when they left Isaiah off the team. I don’t know many Pistons fans who watched the dream team in 1992, the 2012 documentary or the Last Dance. However it’s water under the bridge now. I miss those NBA glory days!

[@GNO89]

@Howard Bueker But neither could the Warriors, Lakers and other teams of today win a championship against the Pistons, Celtics or Lakers of the 80's under those rules at that time.

[@jamie.777]

The rest of the world is happy 😅Thomas was left home

[@allenjames417]

@@jamie.777 There are those in this world who know the game of basketball and those that don’t. Those that don’t were happy Isiah was left home. 4 more inches in height and we’d be talking Isiah as the greatest ever.

[@Vihloah]

@@allenjames417 so those who make hypotheticals like ‘if Isiah Thomas was 6’5, he’d be better than LeBron James’ know basketball, but those who acknowledge the ‘92 Dream Team as the best basketball team ever assembled (they won gold), don’t know basketball? Lol, that’s fair I wish social media didn’t exist for the sake of people like you sharing deluded opinions as fact, and denouncing anything that goes against your fairytale

[@HaoNguyen-oj4ve]

​@@allenjames417mo

[@johnbrowntheprophet]

There are consequences for one’s actions. I’m not crying tears for Isiah. He did many, many people dirty, and he paid the price for his own actions.

[@michigan2400]

He should've not have been left off the team ..get off Jordan's nuts ...

[@cbeyond1957]

I agree, he did some dirty stuff to people. It served him right to be left off. Didnt none of those guys want to play with him.

[@michigan2400]

And that was at the selection time of the team

[@johnbrowntheprophet]

@@michigan2400 - It’s not all about Jordan. Isiah also openly questioned Magic’s sexuality after his HIV diagnosis, so Isiah has created a lot more enemies than just Jordan and Da Bulls.

[@michigan2400]

his resume was off the charts .. and he had more chips than jordan when the team was selected .. so just stop ... he was an 10 time allstar when thne team was chosen .. finals mvp .. shows you how much weight jordsn pulled

[@ruthmelicharles5062]

Everybody: we need an answer. Majic: I'm 60, I ain't got time for that right now.

[@lovebaja]

"Majic"? Seriously?

[@kamengs5813]

Magic is on borrowed time, he should be happy he is still around for people to ask him questions at all.

[@rightyouareken7587]

I was 12 when he came out HIV positive. I said it then and I’ll say it now. He never had it. it was a lie. He sacrificed his career to raise awareness of AIDS.

[@PoorboysinPlays]

Lmaoooo

[@petermorton301]

That's easy for magic to say it because it was not him

[@MedicalKing]

This didn't answer the question.

[@dmitchell2130]

Luis San Jose didn’t know this dam besides championships it’s a tough argument for Stockton n Isaiah but let’s still be real MJ n the others didn’t want him on the team that fact still remains.

[@avantill]

WHY ? Because He was a Classless , Jagoff, Punk ! & Still is !

[@Supersweetguy]

Guys, Isiah doesn't need to answer the questions. The stunts he pulled on opposing players, is so laughing, is so close to being annoying. For example, in the 1990 regular games, he punched Rick Mahorn for no reason at all because he couldn't steal the ball away from him? Is that necessary? My God, are reaping the fruits of your shenanigans along with Bill Laimbeer.

[@teofilstevenson]

He didn’t but Magic will always play the public relations role, as if he’s running for mayor. Isiah was talented but a punk, played head games and displayed terrible sportsmanship. Why should anyone ever question his being left off that team with such shortcomings?

[@tonyflo01]

@Luis San Jose Thomas beat Jordan, Bird, and Magic to win a Championship in 89 Then Beat Jordan (3rd in a row) and Drexler 90 that eliminates that BS 1st team All NBA Only Bird and Magic had more rings than Zeke when the Dream Team was assembled!

[@beachplumb]

As a teen in Boston in the 80's, I bled Celtics green, and I HATED the "Bad Boys". But even I thought it was wrong to keep Isiah off the Dream Team.

[@beachplumb]

@Sheha Nagaraj Laettner was there because at the time, they wanted to keep one spot open for a college player. There was a lot of controversy over sending professional NBA players to the Olympics. The criticism at the time was the choice to send Laettner instead of Shaquille O’Neal. But even though he didn’t amount to much in the NBA, he was one of the greatest college players ever; had just come off consecutive NCAA Championship titles (‘91 and ‘92), and was NCAA Player of the Year his senior year. Shaq has even said that while he was pissed off at the time, he admits now that Laettner was a more polished, fundamentally sound player in 1992 than he was. I couldn’t disagree more about Stockton, though! By the time he was picked for the Dream Team, he was already the all time NBA leader in assists AND steals, and still had 5 or 6 more years to play in his professional career.

[@Carnivore_Shoon]

I thought Jordan didn’t want Isiah, because the way the pistons walked off the court, after they were defeated, when the bulls we’re going for their first championship. To me they were very disrespectful to the bulls

[@tomwellman1757]

@@Carnivore_Shoon After Chicago went up 3-0 Michael Jordan did an interview where trashed the Pistons and Detroit fans . Jordan said the Pistons really didn't deserve the two previous championships and that the Pistons style of play didn't belong in the NBA. So as far as "respect" I guess you get what you give.

[@Antawnyoo]

There is "wrong" (less serious) and another thing is "disrespectful".

[@cp3190]

Why was it wrong ? Isiah didn't deserve to be on the dream team. He hadn't even made an All-NBA team for 5 years and there were other guards who were playing much better than him at that point of time.

[@leodiselliott6274]

Isaiah was the one of the reasons of his being left off. When the idea of NBA players was first announced Isaiah popped off in the Detroit Free Press that he would prefer to take the summer off after an NBA season and allow the college players to continue. Once it became the dream team he wanted to play and he should have been on the team

[@brenzoharris7096]

Nobody wants to talk about that though and I love Isaiah

[@plantoscloud1614]

Heres the thing. They were trying to create a team as much as they were picking individials. And they were trying to win.. make sure they won. They already had all the scoring with Jordan and company. And so i think that even Scottie making the team was partly because he was teamates with Jordan and that chemistry was there that didnt need building up. And they were real careful about that. And since Isaih wasnt a hands down no brainer pick over stockton, and since stockton could shoot and would play his role as a facilitator. and since stockton had good defense well then that was the reason. Also i might add that this is an international delegation so there was some inclusion dynamics going on here. They didnt want the team to be all black either. they wanted to add some cream to the coffee and so its a good look to have whites and blacks little more balanced out than say a typical regular season roster which would be heavily black. Also they probably asked around and Jordan might just rather play with stockton if they was cool and professional like that. Isiah leaving the court without shaking hands maybe that was old school style but that came to bite him later and gave stockton the edge he needed to get picked.

[@Slimpickinsorl]

I honestly think Michigan folk see a different Isaiah. Especially if you also played organized ball at any level and can see how one guy can ruin the fun on a team

[@robertdaniels6510]

He didn't " pop " off, he was honest and forthright something that was missing from these " great " individuals. Truth told, I really believe they were afraid he would steal their thunder and show the world how good he really was and they weren't having it. He would have put them to shame and they knew it. shame on them for stealing his moment.

[@Jdp_1597]

Nah IT burned his bridges with all players from his bad boys hurting his opponents to starting rumors about Magic the Jordan rules and his jealousy towards MJ, etc etc what goes around comes around

[@baltimoresluggzz9503]

SO TECHNICALLY MAGIC NEVER ANSWERED THE QUESTION OR GAVE THE REAL REASON

[@talljib]

Magic "dodge the question" Johnson

[@daveclarke3437]

That's because it was really him who was picked in front of Thomas

[@jpeepsjr]

This was a waste of time to listen to

[@anotherpointofview222]

@@talljib Yep. Didn't tell the truth, and didn't lie either.

[@damonbennett5911]

Magic was asked two questions: Did MJ directly have anything to do with Thomas’ omission from the dream team? How did that affect Thomas? He answered the second question. That answer was so long he probably forgot to about the first. Neither Stephen A or Max brought it back up; at least not in this clip. So he answered part of the question.

[@KazenoniKakuremi]

MJ answered this like a boss "I never mentioned his name, if you need to blame someone, then blame me..I got no problem with that..." Or something along those lines

[@kswiss8626]

Harri v'Jah you clearly weren’t watching ball back then when this happen. Everyone and the grandmother knows that magic and mj blackballed zeek off the team. Go watch the Magic’s documentary... he clearly said that he didn’t want zeek on the team

[@nate8604]

That’s not boss, sounds like deflection. Just admit you didn’t want him on the team, you played “GM”, the same thing we accuse LeBron of.

[@tooakki]

@@kswiss8626 I hear you but the Olympic Team really didn't need Isaiah, especially when they had Stoctin (a Caucasian), and they didn't like Isaiah in the first place... when I say, "they" I mean the owners and the people at the top that control the narrative.

[@justaw2982]

He lying he pulled a LeGM.

[@jojolit2628]

K Swiss I thought Magic&IT we’re friends

[@dylanlanzuela7305]

Max was right when he said "you guys didn't need that" meaning Isiah's scoring

[@anatolyalperovich9069]

When Magic tells “ his ability “ , he means , his character and personality

[@mickser101]

Stockton is the all time leader in Assists and Steals. Show the man some respect

[@tonyjones8425]

He wasn't a great player

[@rprp7762]

@@tonyjones8425 LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL if you are not trolling this has got to be the dumbest comment in the history of the NBA comment section. Stockton was all-time assist, steal leader, 10 time all-star, 11 time all-nba, 5 time all defensive, and in 1992 was even MVP ! yeah, he was terrible, im amazed they even let him play in the NBA with stats like that LOL

[@Beanatlanta]

But he didn't accomplish that in 92 when they selected him. Isiah at that time was clearly better.

[@doc8013]

@@tonyjones8425 wow, this is a dumb comment.

[@gw2102]

Hé did play like a million games tho. If it wasn’t for HIV Magic would’ve held all those records.

[@jephtahcoe]

"I am 60, see we gotta move past that and move past that" Easy for you to say when you were in it!!!

[@edennard1]

EXACTLY

[@g-mancollections5264]

He's referring to the bills pistons rivalry

[@rubbersole79]

The whole series is a look back at history.........LOL.

[@2_2_4_3]

Magic wack and weak for that.

[@mikejordan5051]

Just like he moved past the A.I.D.S huh haahahaha

[@mozdaboz]

If anyone who is to blame for Isiah being cut from the team, it is Magic... He's one of the people who recruited players for the team and he had issues with Isiah back at those times...

[@thinkcivil1627]

Once again, this comes down to 2 people - Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. It isn't a question of who was better between Stockton and Thomas, it was about some players not wanting Thomas on the team.

[@ThalassicMeasure]

Thomas was a sore loser for walking out after being swept by the Bulls. It's a great thing he didn't make the Dream Team. Special person off the team. Good.

[@thinkcivil1627]

@@ThalassicMeasure The timing of when he walked off couldn't have been worse. He had no place on that team, even though his talent was there. He created his own issues.

[@meekmeads]

Only Christian Laettner didn't hate him.

[@georgestamatakis697]

@@gungadin9686 Not even close but probably you are more suitable to talk about this that Magic.

[@hookemdagawd5607]

@@ThalassicMeasure bird was a sore loser walking out on thomas in playoffs yet he was still allowed on the dream team. O yea he's wite tho. Nevermind👍

[@michael_d.jordan]

Poor Stockton, he didn’t ask for anything but everyone’s start to compare him to IT and almost question his place on the team 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@Riles3152]

MonsieurDik 😭man for real!

[@insaini87]

Seriously. Cringe. Have some respect

[@firasmassadeh5131]

Its because the involved parties don't provide a straight forward answer

[@kevinscott59]

MonsieurDik Yeah. Poor rich white guy. He doesn't deserve all this trauma.

[@michael_d.jordan]

Kevin Scott what’s the matter calling him rich WHITE man? Don’t understand ur point

[@ZeeZeeFaa]

Magic Johnson would be an amazing lesbian boxer because he just beating around the bush

[@dremac33]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@shesbaldbutiwould]

but he'd be disqualified for hitting below the belt,so why would he be amazing?

[@DrewAndrews]

ZeeDigital best comment ever!

[@sevenrats]

He's too nice a guy to say anything now.

[@m.martinez1674]

😂😂😂😂

[@LBPHogan]

Stockton averaged 13.1 ppg, 10.5 apg, and 2.2 spg vs. Thomas at 19.2 ppg, 9.3 apg, and 1.9 spg . So not double assists like Max said.

[@lukekhalid896]

It's not just that Isaiah averaged 6 more points a game, but in 1991 Isaiah was literally just coming off 2 straight back to back championships and was a huge star

[@kevinhurston1555]

Karl Malone made John stockton

[@adonisvictorious3649]

@@kevinhurston1555 How when Stockton had to pass him the ball?! That don't even make sense...more correctly they made each other.

[@E-Jizza]

Stockton passed the ball to Malone the second leading scorer in NBA History, and got out the way. His assists stats are overrated.

[@mikehatch1967]

John Stockton made Karl Malone even better player

[@Drooblemeister]

Isaiah was left off the Dream Team not because of talent but because of team chemistry. Everyone still had it fresh in their minds about the Bad Boy Pistons dirty play and Isaiah's lack of class while refusing to shake the Bulls hands when they finally beat the Pistons. I don't think only Jordan but most of the Dream Teamers wanted Isaiah on the team because of the baggage, John Stockton on the other hand did not carry that same baggage and made for a better teammate than Isaiah.

[@ebonynerd]

Dear Magic, Just answer the question!! Regards, A fan

[@samuelmuiruri4704]

magic is a smiling assassin. ha ha! he know nuthin

[@edennard1]

WHICH HE NEVER DID

[@dannisdiamonds]

🤣🤣

[@josephward9507]

More than 1 guy didn't want to play with him . Jordan just took it for everyone it wasn't just him

[@champtouch3298]

Joseph Ward Facts!!!!!

[@mxsalm]

@@ryanmoore9276 really dude??

[@aky0nblap414]

@@ryanmoore9276 get yourself a therapist bruv

[@CeeWorld69]

Joseph Ward who told you that lol? They didn’t say that in the documentary

[@josephward9507]

Imo I believe they looked at that team as whole n said alot of these wouldn't get along with Isiah . Jordan bird magic had issues with him at one point . Talent wise he deserved to be on the team

[@brenzoharris7096]

All I want to say is Thank you Magic!°°°°Truth Hurts

[@marcuscarr123]

He answered very briefly about how he did not want tension on that team. Namely between Isaih and Michael. Which it probably would have been. There was( and still is) bad blood between the two because of how dirty The Pistons played. Magic wanted to make history because the USA college teams were getting destroyed in the Olympics. To win The Dream Team had to get along as a unit.

[@janierios1194]

Well, magic dodged that question. 🤦‍♂️

[@oneflowerninjamagic1912]

He is after all..... a dodger : )

[@marcelbrown5430]

@@oneflowerninjamagic1912..😱 😂🤣

[@jcurla2851]

Couldn’t dodge AIDS

[@SOURAVEMEL]

Jc Urla he’s HIV positive he’s been dodging Aids for about 30 yrs lol

[@jcurla2851]

SOURAVE MEL lmaooo true dat 🤣🤣🤣

[@Tampertownmediagroup]

I missed the part where Magic explains why Isaiah was left off the dream team 🤔

[@milord1814]

Tripp Shaw he didn’t like isiah and don’t want to admit it

[@LeanieSigel]

First take reaching lol

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

Magic has mixed feelings about Isiah because they were close friends who had a big falling out, partly Magic's fault and partly Isiah's. Bird called Magic when he announced the HIV to see if he could do anything to help as a fellow human being, and he isn't the kind of guy to do that, and Isiah didn't call.

[@deanrobbins7823]

I got you m8, Thomas and Rodman made jokes about Magic's HIV and made homosexual references in the newspaper back in the day and would not play in the Dream Team if Thomas played, so Stern told Jordan to exclude Thomas and Jordan did so and took the heat like a man!

[@kevinali3931]

Magic Johnson said in his own book that no one wanted to play with Thomas. Thomas questioned Magic's sexuality when people still thought HIV was a disease of homosexual men in the early 90's. Thomas also feuded with Bird and famously Jordan and Pippen. That's 4 guys out of 12, and 3 of the most recognizable names on the team.

[@MazzaMedia_]

Both Isiah Thomas and Dominique Wilkins belonged on the original Dream Team. USA Basketball did make up for it by placing both players on the Dream Team 2 in 1994 for the FIBA World Championship. Wilkins played, but Isiah got hurt and was unable to compete. Unfortunately, though the 2nd Dream Team was entirely forgotten in comparison to the original 1992 team.

[@jamie.777]

Nobody talks about or even knows there was a dream team 2. That's why Isiah lost out. He will NEVER be on that dream team. Iconic, never duplicated

[@PhillyJohnny]

The best argument is what Max said at the end..... "but you didn't need that". Didn't 50 a game. You needed someone to just distribute the ball to all those scorers.

[@iknowyourerightbut9392]

They need to have a round table discussion and or slap boxing match

[@MVRBFree]

i'd prefer the latter. My money is on Zeke!

[@mdavis3262]

Benjamin Dover i vote for slap boxing😂😂

[@aaniyahscott5127]

I got Thomas all the way that Lil dude 👌

[@youngharrio]

They need a table discussion!! It would crush the internet!!

[@TeamTuc]

@The Greatest Generation Jordan don't want no smoke.... Zeke pimp slapped and punched players much taller and bigger than your Jaundice (Jordan)...lol

[@damk25]

Is it me or the jerseys were just better back then..the Phoenix Suns Jersey was 1 of my favorites

[@dodybanks1907]

The Suns always had nice jerseys. 90s Jerseys of the Rockets and Grizzlies also

[@africancoast]

Everything was better

[@jblaze600]

Baggie jeans, blunts, basketball

[@5starathlete804]

Dody Banks Toronto

[@infintelyevolving4937]

The jerseys were way better back then. They actually had character and were distinct from one another. Nowadays it seems like all the jerseys look the same, with no personality or design. I don’t know who decided all the jerseys should look bland, devoid of any type of style.

[@chihuahua0163]

John Stockton is underestimated here. He was very tough and a great shooter who could score but that wasn’t his main assignment. Man was injured and never missed a game thereafter. He was strong in assists just before the Dream Team. He deserved it. Thomas is a great player. But, the unsportsmanlike conduct in his young days cost him a prestigious seat on the Dream Team. It had to be that. If it was about his merit and skill, no one could stop him! The days were different then and unfortunately it has to be his conduct which is really sad and maybe unfair to an extent but understandable. I don’t believe one player could have influenced the decision to keep Thomas out, especially since he was great.

[@stephenwhite5444]

Bottom line is that these were Pros having to live with eachother every day and none of them wanted it to be a miserable experience. Its NOT just about who is best in a situation like this. Nearly everyone on the dream team had bad issues with IT and no one wanted to play on a team with him. He wasnt done dirty, he just reaped what he sowed.

[@smoothALOE]

Poor John Stockton, getting dragged into this discussion. He’s over there just minding his own business, haha!

[@garricks10]

He is the only other point guard can't put Isiah on with out taking Stockton off.

[@JuanOLopezGerena]

Exactly! Maybe he's sitting back and enjoying how people remember his greatness.

[@JuanOLopezGerena]

@@charlesgreen8703 He's also the All-time Steals leader!

[@TheGrimmjow1986]

@@charlesgreen8703 and steals leader

[@JAYSMOOTHism]

The question is about Did he deserve that spot on the dream team because you left a legend off of it And the answer is no, that's why his name was bought up

[@mercy8645]

It's so weird hearing media talk about the Pistons. I love it though.

[@jaybrick8973]

Pistons had one of the greatest teams of all time

[@Slumlordb]

Jalen?

[@MrANDREWCARDY]

Agree, Isiah made that, love Pistons

[@mobetta2092]

Only reason Isiah and the Bad Boys era are getting their props now is because the biased and uptight national media of those days who were against Isiah and the Pistons are outta there and a younger generation of media are now paying the homage that's 30 yrs overdue.

[@Really658]

I was courtside for Isiah first pro game. Pontiac silver dome. It was the first time I saw a player crack a huge smile after a bad call.

[@christopherlucas1395]

Wow! Never once answered the question. After all of these years, Magic’s refusal to answer THAT question to me, clearly makes him complicit. Now, Jordan has made it perfectly clear that he did not like Isaiah and didn’t won’t him on that team, but we now know after all these years, that it was Magic who also blocked Isaiah.

[@Los_Chanchulleros]

That they chose John Stockton over Isaiah Thomas is nothing compared to the fact that they chose Christian Laettner over Shaquille O'Neal.

[@redsniper8693]

he's saying it's not about talent, it's about how you fit in a team.

[@tibaby2010]

EXACTLY!! I mean, when you already have a team that’s dripping wet with talent (i.e., Jordan, Johnson, Pippen, Bird, Barkley, Ewing, Malone, Robinson, Drexler), you can afford to NOT have the dude on your team that will break your nose for two points 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@19celtics87]

Exactly, the Redeem Team and our gold medal FIBA teams werent just a collection of the best NBA players... that format didnt work, hence the forming of the Redeem Team. That said, Stockton needs some Respeck on his name

[@suggsmar]

Title: explains why Thomas was left off. Result: things are finally clear as mud

[@chrismcdevitt7814]

That was exactly my thought.

[@henrypao8394]

@@chrismcdevitt7814 they need the backup PG. A restless Zeke on the bench gonna make the team chemistry damaged.

[@BULSHYTT]

Lmao

[@wilfredogarciagonzalez2889]

Isiah Thomas and John Stockton were very different players. It’s to compare an efficient hammer with an efficient screwdriver. Both were very excellent players. It’s a 50/50.

[@AuthorEDSmall]

Stockton and Thomas were both LEGENDARY players!!!!!! They should have found a way to get them on that team 2gether

[@Tehui1974]

Max's so-called 'questions' take an eternity for him to ask.

[@thebxsavage]

Tehui ge winds it into a gotcha and puts you on the spot for a hot take

[@activelivingchallenger4298]

It was a pretty good question though.

[@CeeWorld69]

Tehui Stephen is even WORSE!! He’ll ask the same question 8 different ways before he lets you answer it

[@ClassicJM85]

I swear John Stockton just never gets enough respect.

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

@Dose LoverStar "was good" Yeah, most assists and steals of all time, maybe "good."

[@MickyTubbs1985]

@Dose LoverStar PRECISELY;CASE CLOSED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@djd770]

He does by the guys that played against him. By everyone else not so much. Stockton's peak was a little after Magic's time.

[@PorterPickUp]

I'd take Stockton over Isaiah any day. Sure Isaiah is a better scorer, but why would you need another scorer on the Dream Team. Stockton is the best ball distributor the game has ever seen.

[@chillbro2275]

Probably not from non Utah fans, but from is NBA contemporaries it seems he does get respect

[@anthonykent00]

"Was he going to be a better teammate...?" That's the question. Team chemistry matters. It's obvious, Thomas would not have been welcomed with open arms in that locker room.

[@MrGwb1232]

Thank you Magic!!

[@lowbodyfat6707]

Magic is lying everyone knows magic didn’t want him on the team either

[@shinjiji365]

Low BodyFat that’s why he told them to move on with their lives.

[@anaheimswillyg2238]

wasnt Magic sleeping with dudes?

[@nedstarks4142]

That has been revealed in the past. Not the dream team part but how their relationship went down hill when Isaiah clowned magic for having AIDS.

[@javiercarrillo8208]

Anaheims Willy G: Yeah , probably was Isiah Thomas. Kissing on the checks before tip off in each game of their ship.

[@Fiero425]

Thomas' big mouth got him excluded! If he wasn't so disliked by other players and even his own coach, he'd of been part of unprecedented history! ;-)

[@11thWoods]

Nino Brown: What happened?... Huh? Don't nobody know nothin'!? LMAO

[@ChiChiGotDaYaYo5]

Good one

[@williampayton9515]

LMAO.......

[@shaqmills2072]

Bro your comment is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@alyjulmiste8943]

Jordan didn't want Isaiah on the team and that's the end of the discussion. Jordan got back his revenge on Isaiah for the freeze out he did to Jordan in his very first all star game. The conversation was recorded. They asked Jordan to be on the Dream Team and Jordan said, he's out if Isaiah is in. The world wanted to see Jordan and if they wanted Jordan they had to cater to his demand.

[@maacof]

You ever watch that all star game? Jordan was NOT frozen out. Jordan had more shots in that game than established stars like Bernard King and others. At least look up the stats. Some Chicago Homer reporter cooked up that lie and Jordan ran with it.

[@itz-luigi1210]

There was no freeze out. Watch that all star game

[@giantkiller56]

Nonsense. There was NO FREEZE OUT! Jordan made that mess up as a way to self-motivate (a sign of mental illness, I should point out). Zeke didn't bow down to MJ and paid for it. Plain and simple.

[@shawnsmith2540]

@@overeasy4175 Chill bruh.... Yall MJ fans gotta stop lying....

[@fredericoterrell5160]

Jordan is not the only player that didn't want Thomas on that team He was the biggest voice And I'm a Bull Fan

[@rosewilliams3215]

Thought he was gonna answer the question Great Politician

[@NLawrence96]

Magic played a BIG role in that too. He and Isaiah had a beef concerning Magic contracting HIV.

[@radar0412]

Magic had nothing to do with it. Your comment is invalid.

[@alessiofe]

Magic was MAD at Isaiah cause they were good friends, but Isaiah during an interview said and hinted what everyone thought after Magic's HIV coming out: how did he get it? NBA players' infidelity was no secret, but nobody within the circus ever publicly broke the bro code up until that moment.

[@toveycen4668]

@@radar0412 before he and Isaiah mended friendship. magic said it was him. Read the book. Radar whatever #.

[@radar0412]

@@toveycen4668 Magic has been all over the place. Magic's favorite word is " Yesint." 😂

[@djdocsmooth5866]

@@radar0412 Magic did have something to do with it. Read the book: "When the Game Was Ours".

[@donnie4455]

Would rather have seen them leave off Laettner and keep Stockton and Isaiah. Sure Laettner was a college star, but he’s the most replaceable by far.

[@gfear24]

If I remember correctly, he was put on, partially as a favor to Coach K, who was an assistant coach on the team, and partially as a tribute to all the previous USA hoops teams that were entirely made up with college players.

[@skullcrackers187]

True but Stockton was a point guard. No need to bring 3

[@logosg]

Donnie I think one spot had to be a college player so it was Christian or Shaq. On the PG spot it was Stockton or Thomas

[@JMacTheFanatic]

@@skullcrackers187 true but also no need to have a college player who will ride the bench - lol - probably even less need.

[@lukata77]

logosg exactly

[@captainhighbury1806]

Bottom line is that the bad boy and dirty image of Isiah which resulted in to MJ ,Pippen and Bird hating the Pistons, was the reason he was not the part of dream team. Adding Isiah in the team would certainly would have damaged the team chemistry.

[@ruminator3570]

there has to be something to Michael having a hand in on the decision. look at how the bulls treated rodman when he was asked if he wanted to join Chicago. it wasn't about talent it wasn't about ego it was about the fact that the Pistons play the brand of basketball which would have been more suited to football.

[@brientaylorcohen]

MJ was a pissbaby who was salty about the "bad boy" Pistons beating him.

[@ruminator3570]

@@brientaylorcohen To be fair the entire league did not like LAIMBEER or the Pistons philosophy. It wasn't just Jordan Bird or Magic.

[@istvandejesus]

I remember an interview when I was a kid in which MJ said Stockton and Miller were among the best clutch players.

[@lonniesnow9584]

It doesn't matter what Micheal said,what we witness Isaiah do is what matters. When Karl Malone spit Isaiah's eye,it was because Isaiah was murdering John Stockton,he always murdered Stockton...there us no comparison whatsoever. So stop it w/the bs.

[@istvandejesus]

@@lonniesnow9584 So the opinion of the greatest basketball player in history who played with both players is not to be heard? Please kid. Tone it down and be objective in your comments.

[@lonniesnow9584]

@@istvandejesus No not@all when it's coming from a place of hate...genius!! Did you just totally ignore what Magic said? FOH ignorant little boy

[@istvandejesus]

@@lonniesnow9584 Jajaja Man sorry for hurting your woke little self. God bless you.

[@istvandejesus]

@@lonniesnow9584 How was he killing him with a game that was 3 minutes old? The score was tied. How was he killing him?

[@alo.5141]

Way to deflect with flattery Magic lol

[@KtotheG]

He knows he's the reason Isaiah was not on the team. But I don't feel bad for Isaiah. He pissed off the wrong person. Sometimes, you gotta keep your mouth closed about certain people when you're not in a position of absolute power.

[@Israel10]

Stephen fault, he fuckign interrupting Magic

[@gregge.curtisaia6701]

Agree 100%. Tactics now off the court with justification as such, and the times we're in...are tactics of the past on court.

[@tmmitchell9541]

These words should of been spoken in 1992

[@samuelmuiruri4704]

let me tell you something, a team mate can be less talented than another but he must fit into the mold. he must not disrupt the whole circle. we can argue all we want but isaiah will never join a team where the others feel uneasy. sporting talent is not the only factor

[@greenghost3756]

In one interview he takes full responsibility for keeping Isaiah off the team and now he doesn't want to admit it. Stephen A. knows Magic was behind that even Karl Malone said he flat out didn't want Isaiah on the team, on ESPN.

[@courtneywhite6036]

They are throwing Jordan under the bus, They all didn't want Isiah on the team

[@danielbreslow4959]

Great nonanswer, Magic.

[@KOTJ412]

We all know he was left off because he was a part of the Bad boy Detroit team which was hated by other players including MJ & Pip.

[@petermcclenaghan2254]

Yet they took the coach! Interesting!!!

[@stevengreenwood7943]

Exactly

[@rozjones2035]

And they had as a team the starters walked off the court before the game they lost to the Bulls Eastern conference finals. Well why use Chuck Daley as coach because he could corral all those huge personalities. He very subtly threw the first scrimmage game against the college all stars. He was a piece of work. His point was you could lose.

[@yaakw]

In the “Miracle” movie it described the USA hockey team selection process. Olympic coach Herbal Brooks said “I’m not looking for the best players, Craig. I’m looking for the right ones.”

[@mg19cal]

Which is EXACTLY why it took a LITERAL miracle to beat the USSR team. If the USA had more talent they may have won without needing a miracle

[@357Amun]

IT and Shack were the right players to be on that team.

[@jamesmurphy4089]

@@357Amun so you know better than the NBA personnel’s who chose the team?

[@357Amun]

@@jamesmurphy4089 of course

[@Cbrunning849]

@@mg19cal I'm Canadian and even I know that the USSR team beat the NHL all star team.

[@paulhale929]

Magic. Well said. Wisdom

[@TimothyMcGaffinII]

There's a lot of players that could have been on the Dream Team, Dominique Wilkins, Isaiah Thomas, Shaquille O'Neal over Christian Laettner, Clyde Drexler was almost left off, Hakeem Olajuwon, who was on the 1996 team etc.

[@jayvegas3748]

In the book When the Game Was Ours, Magic Johnson relates that he, Jordan and other players conspired to keep Thomas off the Dream Team.

[@brewer921]

This video is a waste of everyone's time.

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

Except for Stephen making more money for saying whatever.

[@brahmakauneyt8508]

Totally agree. Plain bs

[@marcgrady2689]

Thanks. Not gonna watch it

[@catherinejeffries5224]

Magic ✨ & Thomas lovers 4Life!!!

[@jwrsob]

Nuff Said!

[@drphot6050]

Shut up Max Stockton earned it and Ike did too. Christian Latiner was the guy that shouldn't have been on the team.

[@EntityAbyss]

In the original argument, Max is the one that argued that Zeke should've been on the team, but not over Stockton. It was Stephen A and Jay Williams that said that Stockton shouldn't have been on the team.

[@deucespades9416]

And im a duke fan, always got respect for christian, but he aint no Stockton or def thomas

[@honorablechairmans4908]

Chris Mullin?

[@vincentestone5764]

Maybe you're too young to remember but in order to be on The Olympic Team you had to be in College. It's a PRO-AM event. They assembled The Dream Team because in 88', that was weakest team ever.

[@vincentestone5764]

Oh, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER EARNED THE RIGHT to be on That Team. If ANYTHING, they shouldn't have never had PROS on The Team. Their were ENOUGH College Talent to bring A GOLD Home.

[@birdy93]

Magic: You see, there's a limited number of spots and we already have Laettner so ...

[@dickemdownyobitch8663]

Solid

[@jams4041]

Isiah also had mad crazy handles and he touched John Stockton one on one 40 pts. John could not guard Isiah.

[@mobetta2092]

Zeke lit eem up like a Christmas Tree

[@MichaelBrown-rg8oi]

Thats a dumb excuse... Every player can go off on any player at any given time.

[@mobetta2092]

@@MichaelBrown-rg8oi apparently Stockton couldn’t go off on Zeke in any of those moments when Zeke was going off on him.

[@iJangoMan1]

Simple, Jordan didn’t want him there

[@topspot4834]

Yup. Weather he came right out and said it, or just insinuated it, we'll never know, but there's no way I'll ever be convinced that the reason Isaiah was left off the team was cause MJ didn't want him there. And he'll never let it go ... EVER. MJ was my hero as a kid and I still love him, but nobody holds a grudge quite like Mike. He's a COMPLETELY different person than how he's portrayed in the media, and when you cross him or get on his bad side, he'll never, EVER, forgive or forget.

[@charlesljones2454]

I agree ......it's what I've always said.

[@richbrake9910]

Neither did Pippen

[@Vinny.X]

"I'm never going to take nothing away from John Stockton".... as I take away his spot on the 92 Dream Team.

[@shawntusa]

LOL, nahh, should have taken christian lettinar's spot

[@bobbymadera3234]

@@shawntusa I'm WITH YOU IN THAT ONE

[@fuwadogunwolu8584]

@@bobbymadera3234 he cant tho because laetnerr was the college spot

[@tonyamartin1425]

he didnt deserve it its the truth

[@medjordy]

Magic answered the question and I like the way he did it. He said that when considering the talent, and what they achieved, he would pick I.T. But JS was a better teamate. This means that they left I.T out because of the team cohesion.

[@michigan2400]

It's Jordan ..

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

It took Magic and Isiah 25 years to make up as friends and brothers. I dont blame him for matadoring that question.

[@emrebilgi]

He could just say yes, because we were young at the time and the competition was tough. It's not that difficult. A lot of people do it.

[@DreMurf313]

Right👍

[@fennisdembo34]

how's that "respectful" to stock? i swear stephen a. sounds more ignorant every time he opens his mouth how about they should've kept stock, taken isiah, and left out laettner?

[@SomalieDXB]

Keeping a an amateur player was a requirement. And at the time Christian Laettner was the most experienced (on an international level) and talented of the college players (even over Shaq at the time). As far I know alot of players in the squad did'nt want Isiah because of his reputation with the badboys and apparently many thought he would be bad for the team chemistry, but Jordan took the blame solely for that. IMO the '92 dream was the perfect squad.

[@babystephena3773]

They needed an amateur in the team.. the real question about Laetner is why did they gave him the spot instead of Shaq..

[@oldschool4456]

@@SomalieDXB it wasn't a requirement by the international Olympic committee, it was required by the US Olympic committee specifically to put laettner on the squad.

[@oldschool4456]

@Alexis Paquet two different types of players. I have no doubt that had Isaiah Thomas had wished to be the alltime nba assist leader he would have been. He chose an nba Chip.

[@dleo-tn6vq]

@Charles Wilkinson I don't remember the Jazz after Jordan's last year and I don't remember who won after Jordan retired. I am thinking the Jazz were on about the same timeline as the bulls because of their age. They would have had to win it one of the 2 years Jordan was out of the league. Isaiah or Stockton wouldn't have changed the outcome against the bulls, they couldn't have beat them. I still think the rockets were better too.

[@hlf_coder6272]

That team had absolutely no need for a scoring PG. They already had the most prolific offensive players in history, and the only missing ingredient was a nuts and bolts point guard that loved to pass more than shoot, and could grab you more steals than anyone in history. Plus, Isiah 92 was not Isiah 89. Not by a long shot

[@paulm1145]

Love your comment, absolutely spot on!

[@bb8876]

Mike was so powerful not even the head coach of the Dream Team and Isaiah’s team the Pistons could lobby for him!!!

[@geminilife3014]

What Magic really meant: Isiah is a better shooter and can take over a game but we needed a pure point guard to pass us the ball. We needed the All Time Leader in Assists.

[@plantoscloud1614]

the picked scottie cause he was teamates with jordan and they picked stockton because he was teamates with malone. they were trying to win this thing carefully

[@naturalblockade3412]

@@plantoscloud1614 says who or is this just your opinion?

[@og-greenmachine8623]

@@plantoscloud1614 Only thing that makes sense💡

[@CEELOW3000]

Headline should have said "Magic does NOT explain why Isiah was left off the Dream Team" - lol

[@fattony9227]

I'm sure ALL the other players selected for the team thought that Isiah was the better player but personal feelings were probably key in choosing Stockton over him. Let's face it, both Michael Jordan and Larry Bird hated the Detroit Pistons and their playing tactics. Both MJ and Bird had physical battles with Isiah so there was no way he was going to be picked.

[@tripdjoint]

When detroit left the arena like that, that was it.

[@Omar-sg3ky]

"its been 25 years move on " Easy for you to say Magic

[@yeyaka]

Fax yooooo

[@RKO859]

What he said is true. Even if IT wasnt in the dream team, it didnt take any away from his legacy. Collegians champ, 2x NBA champion, finals MVP, one of the greatest 50 players, Hall of Famer. Imo hes the 2nd or 3rd best PG behind magic.

[@LeanieSigel]

Jack Liu For the “casual” or young fan that doesn’t know any better fan it did hurt his legacy a lot of ppl don’t realize how good he was unfortunately.