MIAMI — Hall of Fame players Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson famously kissed each other’s cheeks moments before tipoff of Game 1 of the 1988 NBA Finals.
Today, the relationship clearly isn’t anywhere near as close.
In Thomas’ mind, a 17-year- old wound has been reopened in a new book that Johnson and Larry Bird wrote with author Jackie MacMullan. In the book, Johnson says, among other things, that he played a role in keeping Thomas off the 1992 U.S. Olympic team.
“I’m just disappointed and hurt,” Thomas told The Associated Press on Thursday night. “I never thought it was him who kept me off the Olympic team. That hurt.”
Thomas’ disappointment with aspects of the book were first reported by .
“Isiah killed his own chances when it came to the Olympics,” Johnson said in the book. “Nobody on that team wanted to play with him. . . . I’m sad for Isiah. He has alienated so many people in his life, and he still doesn’t get it.”
The book, “When the Game Was Ours,” is to be officially released Nov. 4.
Footnotes.
The Trail Blazers signed forward LaMarcus Aldridge to a five-year contract extension. The terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
• The Cavaliers have trimmed their roster, waiving guards Andre Barrett and Russell Robinson, and center Darryl Watkins.
• The Knicks have waived guard Joe Crawford and forward Chris Hunter.
• The Jazz has waived forward Ronald Dupree and guard Paul Harris.
• The Mavericks have waived center Jake Voskuhl.
The Associated Press
