Johnson Slams Thomas in Book

The claws are out in the world of retired NBA stars, thanks to a new book by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, which paints a pretty unflattering portrait of fellow hoop star Isiah Thomas. In the book, Johnson gives himself credit for some of Thomas’ success, and slams his former friend for spreading gay rumors after Johnson was diagnosed with HIV in 1991. Thomas calls the claims “bullshit,” and has accusations of his own which he aired to Sports Illustrated: "You're talking about being two-faced? Magic says he put me up for the [Knicks] job, that he was showing up in hard times and telling me everything was OK. And I come to find out he's been the one stabbing me in the back.” Thomas also said that Johnson once hated co-author Bird and tried to turn others against him, which may make for one uncomfortable book tour.