Magic Johnson & Isiah Thomas went from best friends to enemies | Ep. 57 | CLUB SHAY SHAY

Shannon Sharpe sits down with Magic Johnson to discuss friends turning into enemies. Magic reveals his relationship with his former best friend Isiah Thomas was damaged after the Detroit Pistons met the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Magic said: "It took us until just a few years ago to mend everything, but boy did we have some good times."
#ClubShayShay​ #NBA #IsiahThomas
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Club Shay Shay is a weekly podcast hosted by Shannon Sharpe - 3x Super Bowl champion, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and co-host of Undisputed on FS1. Each week Shannon will sit down with athletes, celebrities and influencers to break down, analyze and discuss the latest headlines in sports, pop culture and everything in-between. Get on the VIP list at Club Shay Shay NOW and never miss an episode!
Magic Johnson & Isiah Thomas went from best friends to enemies | Ep. 57 | CLUB SHAY SHAY
• Magic Johnson & Isiah ...
Club Shay Shay
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[@ClubShayShay]

🎧: sprtspod.fox/Ep.57

[@mcdiamond2463]

@Club Shay Shay i know exactly what the world wants to see. they want to see michael jordan on stone cold steve austin’s podcast. thats what the world wants to see

[@williammason1051]

When Isiah and Magic cried together when they made up it was hard not to tear up. If you ever let pride and ego damage such a close relationship you could relate

[@yo3rdtier128]

Wow.. old timer, I thought your generation was so much tougher than us? and your big crybaby self up there tearing up over a game

[@ajp5616]

Not that serious lol

[@bigben618]

They were lovers and friends 😬

[@williammason1051]

@@bigben618 nah bruh.

[@williammason1051]

@@ajp5616 to you I guess 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@stephenobisanya]

Magic gotta be cherished for being the ultimate open book.

[@statusboom-x6348]

Magic has a legitimate claim to being in the GOAT conversation. And I wouldn't be mad if some people called him the GOAT. His resume is one for the ages. And will stand the test of time. Finals MVP as a rookie....

[@christwenty4twenty269]

AS A ROOKIE!!!

[@statusboom-x6348]

@@christwenty4twenty269 FACTS!

[@loganblack4885]

@@statusboom-x6348 Magic didn’t win finals mvp as rookie. Go back to school buddy boy 😂

[@fusionn4316]

Can't be the GOAT when you're not elite on both sides of the court.

[@LanceG007]

@@fusionn4316 not to mention he never won without Kareem

[@barbarawatkins4422]

I’m glad they repaired their relationship.

[@midwestking100]

Hopefully jordan and Barkley will follow suit but I highly doubt it

[@seanjoyce7039]

@@midwestking100 A 30/30 between those 2 would be epic.

[@leetraviusmckay2919]

They let pride and ego tear up a close relationship but they made up and cried tears of joy

[@xx1j]

@2:50 this was legit the first time I heard it straight from Magic himself

[@Dibbz_TV]

“Oh, I knew he wasn’t” lmao - got me too 😆

[@LocoAsasino]

The way their games contrast each other is awesome. It’s like comparing a prime Derrick rose to a prime steph curry. Zeke had the scoring, the midrange game, the handle and was a pin point passer in the half court and like to play off ball. Magic grabs the board, run down in transition, can make any pass going at speed, and uses his physical dominance to just get easy lay ups or post ups. Both team players and wizards but totally different style of play

[@MakuArein]

What's amazing was he totally took over the team when Kareem got injured during the 80s Finals. He did it while he was only a rookie as well, played center like it was his natural position.

[@nofear80s35]

Magic is forever a class act!

[@dandcdiecast2664]

Agreed.

[@vanessagrayman2194]

This was a great interview…..anytime Magic pointed while he was telling stories had me cracking up.

[@gradymckinney7306]

Nobody: Uncle shay shay: why yall let that man in there? 😂

[@techwood16]

Shoutout to Majic for being a role model, he’s always been a uncle to me even tho I’ve never met em

[@WO2411]

Magic is such a legend man we Appreciate this so much Shannon 💯🙏🏾

[@josephharris7689]

Thanks for Everything MR Magic Johnson for all your great Basketball skills n Eyes n back of your head making passes that just didn't fake out the players on the court but also the fans in the Stands Believe that 1000

[@keshondrew5267]

Two of my favorites and greatest to ever to do

[@SB-ye5oi]

Thank you Shannon for this platform. Please continue to shed light where there is darkness. Keep it up!

[@samgunz1]

This interview candid af 🤣💯

[@chilltrav9273]

"Oh, I knew he wasn't!"

[@samgunz1]

@@chilltrav9273 right 🤣🤣

[@chilltrav9273]

@@samgunz1 He was right too!lmao

[@StevenC32]

One thing I always respected was Magic Johnson's compettive spirit. I have been watching him play since he was Sophomore year at Michigan State. The first time I saw him play, I knew he was special, but I wasn't sure if his style of play was transferable to the NBA level. It turns out that it was, mostly due to Magic Johnson ability to play multiple positions. In High School he played Center, but in college he played Point Guard, and his first year in the NBA he basically had to share point guard duties with Norm Nixon. But the Lakers sort of used Norm Nixon more like shooting guard even though he was only 6ft 2, which allowed he and Magic to stay on the court at the same time. In the 70s, the guard positions were more interchangeable than they are today. Both guards were able to bring the ball up the court and run the offense. But in today's NBA, most shooting guards do not have the skillset to play the point guard position, they are strictly shooters.

[@BlueCollar1212]

Great interview

[@leonbridges1802]

Ladies and gentleman, Earvin (Magic) Johnson is a classy guy. 🖤👽

[@cmb913]

Magic is one if the coolest brothas to ever exist

[@noah2339]

Magic is one of the Goats in basketball. He took what pistol Pete did to another level and was Magic! Basically Kyrie but 6’10, and push the ball fast uptempo pace like never seen before or after. Those Lakers teams With Magic and James Worthy, Byron Scoot, Michael Cooper were fun to watch because of the style and grittiness and seeing Magic pass unbelievable assist with finishing strong at the basket.

[@CLOWE-po2tx]

💯💯💯💯

[@Yungpap]

This is amazing 💯💯💯💯💯💯💪🔥

[@JudahwardIV562]

Magic keeps getting younger WITH every year that passes by.

[@stuartperry8141]

?

[@leir2005]

He also gets richer with every year that passes the guy is one of the most brilliant businessmen on the planet

[@Vito_Caligiuri]

I just want it to be put to rest that he never actually had HIV. But the disease needed a face, and he got manipulated/blackmailed into being it.

[@thisismarkbro]

@@Vito_Caligiuri what makes you that ?

[@Vito_Caligiuri]

@@thisismarkbro I bring that up because the original comment was how young Magic still looks. There’s a conspiracy that Magic doesn’t have HIV, nor did he ever have it.

[@hansmeyer8926]

jordan was cool back in the days but magic was the the guy to watch if you wanna see special tricks special passes special things.. in terms of player he was one of a kind

[@17thNO]

True

[@joseyeastwood]

Competition is what drove them apart in also a ugly rumour.

[@anthiusvanbrakle310]

IN LIFE MAGIC IS THE GOAT !!!

[@c.p.h.9264]

BAD BOYS!

[@88smjls]

Magic never thought Isiah would get to the championship level while Magic was in his prime winning. It'll be his turn when I'm done. Isiah snuck up on him.

[@BBBYpsi]

Not for a phantom call by the refs Pistons would have won a 3 or 4 peat.

[@lettherebelight620]

lmao luke walton turned in to the villain

[@akvalues]

Pistons should have had a 3 peat

[@DESimmons357]

YES!!!!! My soul still hurts about 1988 Finals game 7.

[@spencerhammer5870]

Technically it was a foul on Laimbeer. Should they have called it? No.

[@gm0n3y718]

@@spencerhammer5870 no it wasn’t bill didn’t touch Kareem

[@BBBYpsi]

@@DESimmons357 It was actually game 6 Isiah hurt his ankle that game & could not play in game 7

[@BBBYpsi]

akvalues if not for that bad pass vs boston Piston might have had a 4 peat

[@mightymojnir]

Magic and Isiah made up and let the past go but it will never be the same again, you can see that.

[@aaronfleming4176]

Magic Johnson is the GOAT

[@loumarhorn4682]

Still the 👑💯💯

[@ThatBo03]

I wanted to hear Magic explain what exactly he regretted about things with Zeke. Based on what he said, I wonder what other direction he would've taken it if he had a do over.

[@CashCollecta]

Probably from his book he released 13 years ago where he accused zeke of spreading rumors about his sexuality when he came out as hiv positive

[@XTREM1213]

Shannon we need you to bring Dr J on you show. Please!

[@devantejonesm]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@derrickperry7705]

Ppl freaked out cause Lebron and draymond dapped each other up on the court. If Lebron kissed draymond everyone would be literally killing him 😂

[@kingkoopa654]

You HAD to make this about Lebron? Lay off the Soy & hop off that man 🥜

[@KtotheG]

Are Lebron and Draymond best friends?

[@derrickperry7705]

@@KtotheG yeah

[@Jinz3]

@@KtotheG pretty good friends

[@KtotheG]

@@derrickperry7705 Oh ok... thanks.

[@coachjon6967]

I loved both of these guys, but please keep this in mind you hear how tough it was back then. When you hear how much they hated each other back then and today's players get along to well. These two use to kiss each other on the cheek before they went after it. I am not complaining about it just stating a fact.

[@boxingandbulldogs6341]

Yes, but when push came to shove, the friendship had to end! Magic knew that and ultimately Isiah did too. You'd never see that today. These guys put their friendships before everything else.

[@kawaiiafangirl]

Facts. Wilt and Bill Russell used to have dinner w/ either one of their mothers when the other came to town to play also. Jordan was obviously friendly w/ Charles Barkley and also Ewing and Oakley.

[@FireAngelChris]

Lol so happy Players today never did this goofy stuff also it was plenty of f friends that competed back then that was still friends just like today.

[@francoissuissae6217]

Friends til the Rnd

[@august_3rd]

It's crazy cause the Lakers ended up doing just that 🤦🏽‍♂️🤣🤣🤣

[@BossTripp1]

Wait… did magic just say he only had one dude? 😂

[@KtotheG]

Yeah, I know... messed up... all of those guys were important. Michael Cooper was their Robert Horry or Toni Kukoc. James Worthy was his Pippen. Kareem was Kareem. He needed all of those guys.

[@JimmyMacram]

@@KtotheG That's not what he's talking about. When he says "team" in this context, he means a management team or an entourage. Meanwhile, he had only one dude around him.

[@awill891]

He meant now that all players and teams have huge crews of agents/brand reps/social media managers/etc it's harder to bring a player of an "enemy" team to his crew like he did with Isiah back then. He was saying he only had 1 dude in his entourage.

[@KtotheG]

@@JimmyMacram Oh ok.

[@steveyoung4584]

Is a championship worth more than a true friendship?

[@BG-mn6di]

In the moment one would probably feel that way but in the long run nah 💯

[@kawaiiafangirl]

This whole time, I never knew Magic and IT had a fractured relationship until a couple of years ago. I thought they were friends the entire time just like they were in the 80s.

[@TheHiLiteShow7]

Isaiah seems like he’s an abrasive personality behind the scenes

[@BBBYpsi]

@@TheHiLiteShow7 It was Magic that went away from Isiah because of the false accusations Isiah was accused of with Magic's HIV. I really believe it was Jordan that started those rumors. Because when it happened Jordan swooped in to try to be best buddies with Magic. Not many will say it but Jordan away from basketball was a POS human being.

[@Ben2bwild]

@@TheHiLiteShow7 He is. My cousin worked for him when he was in New York. He fools a lot of ppl with that smile and soft speaking voice

[@CLOWE-po2tx]

Old Skool Southside of Chicago 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@leojohnson562]

Coach Pat Riley planted that devisive seed and kept the plant watered all those years the two men lost.But being team players the public will never hear an admission from either man😮😮😮

[@adamchristie7626]

Why’d you step down? Rob Pelinka. WE ALL SEE NOW MAGIC

[@darrylnelson05]

Ervin didn't fight for Isaiah to be on the Dream Team.

[@mariohostios]

Magic- politician. Jordan- Tyrant. Bird- warrior. Zeke- leader.

[@jthrillz7288]

They didn't have to go at it. People drove that rivalry. Its just a game.

[@ritchierich2793]

This whole interview is just another extension of hulu's Legacy: The true story of LA Lakers...

[@alwensday8120]

"Man we had some good times. What a great training partner"...... On and off the court in guessing lol

[@odm87]

Luke Walton had that coaching job simply because of who he was related to.. dude was terrible as a player and even worse as a coach. Magic knew that, as everybody else.

[@rooseveltdarbey9493]

Decent player but your right terrible coach. Was overrated because of his assistant coach job of the warriors.

[@clutchcity25]

2:55

[@broncobilly4029]

I'm so glad Magic and Isiah made up. I just wish Isiah would have made the Dream Team. I think everyone knew Zeke would have stole the show. His game was tailor-made for olympic basketball. He would've played like Curly Neal.

[@thegod625]

I haven't heard Luke Walton name as a couch since he left LA 😂

[@bodeezy78]

Didn't he go to Sacramento

[@BigDilf3]

@@bodeezy78 definitely was in Sacramento right after some people just slow

[@Bee-lieve623]

Couch?

[@brianbrooks5366]

Happy magic finally confirmed what we already knew. Rob was tryna block his moves thinking he could do better, magic let him and now we see where we are

[@frederickwoods9459]

Jordan spoke during the last dance but Jordan does not speak on Thomas…..

[@211MakinHits]

Isaiah Thomas is a very emotional dude lol

[@stebbiej]

Zeke took down bird magic and jordan. Put him in the conversation

[@kristianpomida8259]

If only shannon doesnt talk after evey sentence

[@jordananderson3173]

1:32 🥶

[@Bee-lieve623]

I don't understand why LeBron needed to know beforehand that Magic was stepping down from the Lakers.

[@mateomayorga23]

Something doesn’t add up. Luke’s last season in LA was 2019, same as Magic’s.

[@snydmark]

Once he had dinner with Larry Bird's mom no more being friends with Isaiah!

[@plainsimple244]

You know what's sick about all that Magic/Isiah thing is the teammates of Magic put him in a position to do that along with coach Riley.... Why would you even put your captain in a position to do that? See, that shows you, what?... The Lakers tried to take out Thomas; just like the media talks about how the Pistons played rough against Jordan... so everyone was doing that back then, just like what the Lakers did vs. the Celtics -- that's what Isiah Thomas was talking about when he spoke about Jordan and how EVERYONE played like that back in the 80's to win titles, Jordan wasn't special in that regard.

[@Mac-Mac-hb4ec]

Isaiah got a bad relationship with everyone. Jordan, bird, magic. Etc

[@christaggart5687]

Three people who were groupies IT had plenty of friends

[@marvinkey6047]

The only person out of those 3 that's still in their feelings is Jordan. Larry bird hired isaiah as coach

[@christaggart5687]

@@marvinkey6047 Jordan is so petty. He still hates Chuck for doing his job

[@KDRusha]

So did the older players befriend opposing players or not? They always talk about how you couldn’t be buddy buddy but they WERE.

[@maelguiraud3568]

its just the hypocrisy

[@princemodeme5002]

Magic said he played with one dude? Must be talking about James Worthy, that’s the only name I can think of

[@BBBYpsi]

No he meant who he hung out with away from basketball. That is why before that they talked about how players today have a whole crew around them.

[@AlbertoGonzalez-xn1lw]

He ran with one dude... humm who could it be? Mcadoo? Wilkes? Thompson? Cooper? Kareem? Worthy? Scott? AC?

[@McGomezAddams]

That picture is super alphabet and the fact that both of their kids grew up alphabet is even more sus

[@californiachief27x]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ChrisHoward141]

This comment is hilarious🤣 the way you put that statement is goated bro👌

[@chrismaylor5075]

After seeing some of these stories I am beginning to feel isiah was and is still a bitter person that holds grudges easily

[@ADAMOLOGY]

Why did Isaiah think magic wasn’t going to do his job? That’s odd and why get mad because magic did his job? There should have been a talk first so there was an understanding what would happen on the court.

[@whazupwituwhazupwitu5194]

Some of these old heads try to act as if back in the days the players didn’t have genuine friendships with others in opposing teams. That’s a big lie.

[@maddoxalucard6587]

That’s not true at all…a lot of these players say they had friendships off the court but they hated each other on the court They just didn’t wanna play on the same team because they wanted to be the best and beat the best

[@markowens6591]

Luke Walton won’t coach again in NBA after these interview 💯

[@bismarckdetroit9709]

wait a minute skipp an them old head will tell you no one was friends back then an would never help each other or talk off the court

[@bowmanencore]

In the old days, every player shot his enemy. Kids these days won’t even use knives!

[@fakinlunatik3553]

So what broke their friendship lol?

[@blacksheep1222]

Shannon and these guys today would have cried racism smh Magic is old school he said we brothers and sisters, that’s the America I miss , unk could could learn alot from magic, a whole lot

[@stebbiej]

That dude that wanted seat was who. Just say it leGM

[@kodeypouncey1969]

Magic had 11 hof players on his team at one point. You deff didnt run with one dude

[@williammatthews7252]

Exactly

[@DreMurf313]

He was speaking about "off the court"

[@kodeypouncey1969]

@@DreMurf313 no he wasnt

[@BBBYpsi]

@@kodeypouncey1969 Yes he was speaking off the court. Just before he said that they talked about how players today have a whole crew around them. This is how us older people talk.

[@kodeypouncey1969]

@@BBBYpsi that was ur interpretation and i have mine. Respectfully get off my nuts now thank you.

[@ski8615]

What about al the 5hit when magic got H1V disgraceful what he was saying bout his “friend” must have broke magics heart. 🇵🇰🇬🇧

[@Zzzkilla]

I ran with 1 dude 🤣🤣🤣 magic had literally a team full of legends

[@jr_484]

he was talking about agents/advisors dude

[@BBBYpsi]

He was talking about person to hang out with

[@mjrule888]

It appears apparent that Magic didn't call LBJ was because LBJ wanted to keep the coach.

[@Theinsideoutsider]

Nah. Prob cuz he left in a hurry (likely upset) and made the move without thinking clearly

[@chrisstewart8954]

He was right luke wasn’t the guy they got rid of him like magic said

[@bigben618]

Magic and Isiah had some “good times.” 😉 Lovers and friends……

[@Dapame]

And who said that?

[@iam_whole_e]

🤣

[@JayNero777]

y'all niggas so weird

[@DreDAWhite]

😑 he said room then switched to lobby real quick 😂😂😂

[@theodoremonroe6440]

Rob Lowe was low down and derty!

[@johns9762]

Maybe players didnt like Isiah cause he kissed other guys like in that pic for this video.

[@5thwardhoustontx301]

I wonder do Thomas know how magic got HIV and will never speak on it. I’m sure once magic pass away it will come out. Not wishing that on him at all.

[@Superjimm2]

Isaiah hurts to say, has done a lot of snake and foul stuff. Started with Michael Jordan in his rookie year, Mike looked up to him and after pretending he would help snaked him. He turned on Magic and did some Suspect things with the Knicks. He was a great player but from his past actions don't seem like a good dude.

[@Actionjac1]

Magic ..why not talk about the fact that you were HORRIBLE as a GM which is why you really stepped down. Look at the players you traded away some great players who are major contributors on other teams now. Also some really Dumb draft picks. He took a pass on Jason Tatum and Dearron Fox.....WOW! he took Lozon Ball over Foxx(what a mistake) and Ingram over Tatum..another mistake. So NO Magic...you are one of my favorite Laker players......but as a GM you were TERRIBLE!

[@FlyAwayChi]

what are you talking about? Brandon Ingram and Jayson Tatum were not from the same draft... Ingram was drafted a year before Tatum

[@johns9762]

Magic and Isiah be all kissing each other on the court in front of thousands of people. Did anyone else find that disturbing?

[@DreMurf313]

STOP IT!! You act like they were tonging each other down!! LMFAO🤣

[@martincortes7108]

I don't trust isaiah thomas,,he is a two faces

[@cliffiez4540]

Magic realized he deserved better friends than Isaiah

[@nguont]

Those 2 are lovers . No cap.

[@grav9992]

Isaiah was okay until he beat you. Jordan hates Isaiah because Isaiah beat him. They hate that little man for embarrassing them. At least Bird ain't hatin

[@Amick44]

Isiah hated them for beating him.

[@BBBYpsi]

@@Amick44 Actually Isiah is the only person who has a winning record vs all 3 of Bird, Magic & Jordan. He got the better of them more than they got the better of him

[@BoskoShabazz]

Bird was a hater too. Immediately fired him as coach once he became president of basketball operations with the Pacers

[@mkg5048]

Thomas wasn't playing basketball that's the problem. He was out there orchestrating UFC like plays lol, everyone attacked that man lol

[@grav9992]

@@mkg5048 false, the idea that they just fouled their way into 3 straight finals is just silly. But okay, those Pistons teams averaged 100 a game by making dirty layups. In fact, why didn't Jordan just make them not score???? He's Jordan and everything you people say. What happened to all that will to win and killer instinct jargon???? Guess that only came into play in the expansion era

[@fdt1469]

I think Magic and Isiah had something else going on.

[@rafaeldeanza]

Like what?

[@4everyoung869]

Magic don’t have to call Lebron. Lebron ain’t signing his checks.

[@Zzzkilla]

Btw that magic and isaiah relationship was SUS!!!!!!!

[@selfmade8884]

Everyone knows the REAL reason magic and isiah fell out.

[@jasonreyes5767]

Dream team?

[@young6api506]

👀?

[@NYCHB]

@@jasonreyes5767 na is report idk if true Thomas said that magic got HIV u know from men so I think that broke the real relationship but idk that wat see

[@EnterpriseNCC-1701]

That second finals they had versus each other tore them apart.

[@keithbperrin9633]

@@NYCHB he did say that on a radio interview...kinda inferred it but didnt go all the way..more of an ..welllllll I dont know what they doing out there in l.a.....it was a stupid thing to say...and i love the great Isaiah Thomas