NBA legend Magic Johnson shocked the world with an admission in 1991. He revealed that he had HIV and this piece of news sent chills down the spine of millions of fans. Due to the lack of education on the virus at that time, a lot of myths, rumors and theories were circulated on why Johnson had contracted HIV. One of them was his rumored affair with Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas.

Thomas and Magic were close friends and Johnson addressed such rumors back in 2014 during an interview. He called it ‘the most ridiculous thing’ while asserting that he is quite close to Thomas.

Magic Johnson rubbished all rumors regarding Isiah Thomas affair

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson was one of the most popular athletes in the world when he made the shocking HIV announcement. Naturally, people around the world were shocked.

This also gave birth to various conspiracy theories around the world over how Magic contracted the virus in the first place. One of the most popular theories was that Johnson was allegedly in a relationship with Isiah Thomas. Incidentally, a common myth at the time was that HIV can only impact homosexual people. Therefore, the public automatically assumed that Johnson was gay.

During an interview in 2014, Johnson rubbished all claims surrounding the Isiah Thomas controversy and also called it the most ridiculous thing.

Johnson said, “I think that was the most ridiculous thing right there because that was my boy, still my boy. You know, Isiah and I were really really close and Lynn, his wife, and Cookie, my wife, we used all hang out.”

READ MORE: Magic Johnson on Ending Friendship With “Brother” Isiah Thomas: “That Was the Start of Us Not Being Friends”

Thomas and Johnson shared a good relationship both on and off the court prior to 1988. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons met in back-to-back NBA finals in 1998 and 1999 which played a part in deteriorating their relationship. Interestingly enough, it is also claimed that Johnson also played a part in Johnson’s 1992 Dream Team snub.

Magic admitted to playing a part in Isiah Thomas’ snub

The 1992 Dream Team representing the USA in the Barcelona Olympics had some of the biggest names in the league during that time. Stars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and other stars played together which awed audiences around the world.

However, Isiah Thomas was famously not chosen despite being one of the best players. In a book co-authored with Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, Johnson admitted to playing a part in Thomas’ snub. The two legends squashed their decade-old beef when they embraced on NBA TV’s Player Only Monthly special in front of millions.

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