Magic Johnson had some interesting things to say in a book co-written with Larry Bird and put together by respected hoops writer Jackie MacMullan. Johnson says in the book that Thomas had spread rumors about Johnson catching HIV because he was homosexual or bisexual and blocked Thomas from playing on the Gold Medal winnng dream team.

Thomas strikes back by saying:

"I'm glad that he's finally had the nerve and courage to stand up and say it was him, as opposed to letting Michael Jordan take all the blame," Thomas told SI.com. "I wish he would have had the courage to say this stuff to me face to face, as opposed to writing it in some damn book to sell and he can make money off it."

"When The Game Was Ours" will be released on November 4th to coincide with start of the NBA season.