Eddie Johnson

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Lore & Background

Johnson played at Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas. As a senior, he was named Texas Mr. Basketball, a consensus All-American and Mr. Basketball USA. He took part in the 1987 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. He originally committed to SMU but enrolled at Odessa College after a dispute about his SAT score. At Odessa, he won the NJCAA Division 1 Player of the Year award both years. He transferred to UNLV, winning the 1990 NCAA championship and the 1991 John R. Wooden Award and Naismith College Player of the Year. He was selected first overall in the 1991 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets and won NBA Rookie of the Year. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and signed a 12-year, $84 million contract with the Hornets in 1993. He was traded to the New York Knicks in 1996 and was a key member of their 1999 Eastern Conference championship team. He retired in 2001 due to chronic back problems.

In Their Own Story

The turning point in Johnson's career came during Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. With 11.9 seconds remaining and the game tied, he drew a foul from Antonio Davis while shooting outside the three-point line. The referee called the foul just before the release, but the shot counted as part of a continuation. Johnson made the basket and converted the free throw for a four-point play that secured a 92–91 victory, a moment that defined his clutch legacy with the Knicks. His tenure in New York was not without controversy; he characterized the team as a band of "rebellious slaves" during the 1999 NBA Finals and famously clashed with Bill Walton over comments about Avery Johnson being from "Massa Johnson's plantation." Off the court, his earlier years in Charlotte were marked by friction with Mourning that forced roster changes. Despite chronic back problems plaguing him for years, he remained a key contributor until announcing his retirement on October 10, 2001.

Reader's Guide

Larry Johnson was known by the initialism 'LJ' and the nickname 'Grandmama' from a Converse commercial series. He competed in the 1992 Slam Dunk Contest, finishing second. He was involved in a famous four-point play in Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals. He also played a central role in the Knicks–Heat rivalry, including a fight with Alonzo Mourning in the 1998 playoffs. After retiring, he expressed interest in a comeback with the Knicks in 2007. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science studies from UNLV in 2007 and was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

Did You Know?

• Johnson is the only player ever to win the NJCAA Division 1 Player of the Year award both years he played.
• He was featured on the cover of the premiere issue of SLAM magazine.
• Johnson holds the UNLV record for single-season and career field goal percentage.
• He was inducted into the UNLV Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 along with teammate Stacey Augmon; Greg Anthony was inducted the following year in 2003.