Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas were two of the most influential basketball players in the 1980s. Not only were they fierce competitors on the court, but they also shared a close friendship off the court. However, their relationship hit a rough patch in the 1990s when rumors of a strained friendship surfaced. One particular incident that drew media attention and further fueled the rumors was the supposed "kiss" between Magic and Isiah before the 1988 NBA Finals. As the Lakers and Pistons prepared to face off in the championship series, the two friends embraced and kissed each other on the cheek as a sign of affection and camaraderie. This gesture, which was a common practice in certain cultures and among close friends, was misinterpreted by some as a romantic or sexual act.

“These Dudes Kiss Each Other’s Cheek Before They Toss the Ball Up”: Ex-NFL Star Left Perplexed Over Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas’ Bond

Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas are widely regarded as two of the greatest point guards to ever play the game of basketball. The two stars were once very close to each other despite hailing from different teams. They hung out with each other, traveled together with their families and developed a really solid friendship at one point in time. However, all that came to an end when the two fierce competitors met in the NBA Finals for the first time. Recently, former NFL star expressed his surprise at the two friends’ pre-game ritual to kiss each other on the cheek, as Isiah Thomas described the incidents that formed and later on, shattered their friendship.

America’s Favorite Video Today

Magic Johnson entered the NBA a couple of years before Isiah Thomas. And he ended up winning an NBA championship right in the very first season with the Los Angeles Lakers. His final NBA championship too came against Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons.

This gesture, which was a common practice in certain cultures and among close friends, was misinterpreted by some as a romantic or sexual act. The media latched onto this incident, and speculation about Magic and Isiah's relationship began to circulate. The rumors of a feud between Magic and Isiah were further fueled when Magic revealed his HIV diagnosis in 1991.

Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas’ pregame ritual

Before Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas ended their friendship and became rivals on the floor, they were awfully close as friends. During a conversation on ‘The Pivot Podcast’, co-host Ryan Clark seemed perplexed by their tightly-knit friendship on the court. He said, “These dudes kiss each other’s cheeks before they toss the ball up every game. What was that like for you when you guys finally got to sit down man and really have that man-to-man conversation?”

In response, Thomas said, “We were the first, that I can remember in our generation that really displayed love and emotion for our brother, as males, right?” IT described how at games players would only shake hands with each other.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star. Follow Us

He then went on to say, “But at home, with your family, you would hug and embrace. So Magic and I as friends, I can’t do this no more, right? (Imitating a handshake) Imma hug you and kiss you like I do with my brother.” Thomas stressed the fact that he and Magic saw nothing wrong with expressing their emotions freely. They saw no need to be restrained while greeting each other as brothers. However, the gesture wasn’t very well-received by the contemporary audience, especially after Johnson’s HIV diagnosis.

“You Can’t Come to the House”: Lakers Legend Magic Johnson, Who Cried on Live TV With IT, Slammed the Door to His House on the 12X NBA All Star in 1988

Thomas also mentioned how it became so controversial back then that people came up to them and told them they should not do that. Later on, the closeness between Magic and IT also triggered speculations of a potential relationship between them, after the Lakers superstar’s HIV diagnosis. During the interview, Thomas also addressed the absurdity of such rumors.

Some speculated that Isiah, as the leader of the "Dream Team" that represented the United States in the 1992 Olympics, had conspired to keep Magic off the team due to fear of spreading the virus. However, both Magic and Isiah have adamantly denied any animosity between them. They have consistently maintained that their friendship was strained due to various professional and personal reasons unrelated to the supposed kiss incident. Over time, Magic and Isiah have managed to mend their friendship and have publicly reconciled. They have spoken positively about their shared history and the deep bond they once had. Today, they are often seen supporting each other in the basketball community and have put the rumors of a feud to rest. The incident of the "Magic and Isiah kiss" serves as an example of how rumors and misinterpretations can tarnish relationships and create unnecessary drama. It also highlights the power of friendship and forgiveness in overcoming misunderstandings and rebuilding strong bonds. Magic and Isiah's story is a reminder that true friendship can withstand even the toughest of challenges..

Reviews for "Behind the Scenes: The Untold Story of the Magic and Isiah Kiss"

1. John - 2 stars

As a longtime fan of both Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas, I was really looking forward to watching "Magic and Isiah Kiss." However, I found the film to be highly disappointing. The direction was sloppy and the story felt disjointed. It lacked a clear narrative arc and simply jumped from one random scene to another without much coherence. Additionally, the acting was subpar, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, "Magic and Isiah Kiss" failed to live up to my expectations and left me feeling underwhelmed.

2. Sarah - 1 star

I regret watching "Magic and Isiah Kiss" as it turned out to be a complete waste of time. The film lacked depth and failed to explore the complex relationship between Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas on and off the basketball court. Instead, it mainly focused on gratuitous scenes that added nothing to the overall story. The dialogue was cheesy and poorly written, further undermining the film's potential. I was left feeling unsatisfied and frustrated with the lackluster execution of such a compelling topic.

3. Michael - 2.5 stars

"Magic and Isiah Kiss" had the potential to delve into the fascinating rivalry between two basketball legends, but unfortunately, it fell short. The pacing of the film was off, with unnecessary scenes dragging on while significant moments were not given enough time to develop. Furthermore, the script failed to capture the essence of the characters, resulting in a lack of emotional depth. While the production value was decent, it was not enough to salvage the overall mediocrity of the film. "Magic and Isiah Kiss" left me feeling unfulfilled and wishing for a more compelling depiction of their relationship.

The Impact of Magic and Isiah's Historic Kiss on LGBTQ+ Representation in Sports