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Report: Isiah Thomas Criticism Leads to Magic Johnson Snub by Knicks

By Jim Scott | January 6, 2010 5:37pm | Updated on January 6, 2010 4:58pm
Magic Johnson used drop in on Madison Square Garden for Knicks games whenever he was in New York. That is, before his reported falling out with former Knicks executive Isiah Thomas.
Magic Johnson used drop in on Madison Square Garden for Knicks games whenever he was in New York. That is, before his reported falling out with former Knicks executive Isiah Thomas.
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By Jim Scott

DNAinfo Associate Editor

Magic Johnson's name was synonymous with the NBA in the 1980s, but these days the basketball legend can't even get a ticket to watch the lowly Knicks.

Johnson was denied complementary tickets to a Knicks game in December by Madison Square Garden because of a feud that's developed between the Hall of Fame point guard and former Knicks executive Isiah Thomas, according to a report in the Daily News.

Johnson asked Garden officials for comp tickets from the Garden for the Knicks game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 7, the News reported.

The paper said Knicks representatives would not confirm or deny the reported incident.

Johnson and Thomas were both superstar players as well as good friends off the court during their stints at the Lakers and Pistons, respectively, throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. They would often kiss each other on the cheek at mid court before the start of games.

However, their relationship soured when a new book about Magic and Larry Bird, entitled "When the Game Was Ours", was published in October.

In the book, Johnson claimed Thomas was partly responsible for spreading rumors about his sexuality after the Lakers star announced he was HIV positive in 1991. Johnson also admitted to conspiring with other players to keep Thomas off the famous 1992 Olympic Dream Team.

Thomas responded to the allegations and revelations in the book in a Sports Illustrated article.

"I'm really hurt, and I really feel taken advantage of for all these years,'' the Hall of Fame point guard and former Knicks coach told SI. "I'm totally blindsided by this."

The biggest revelation for Knicks fans is that Thomas still has some influence on the comings and goings at Madison Square Garden. Thomas was fired by the Knicks after the 2007-2008 season, but it appears he still has sway with MSG Chairman James Dolan.