Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)

1.1. High School Career

Johnson played basketball at Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas. During his senior year in 1987, he was recognized as a consensus All-American and was named Mr. Basketball USA. He was also selected as a member of the 1987 McDonald's High School All-American Team and the Parade magazine All-American First Team.

1.2. College Career

Johnson's college career spanned both the junior college and NCAA Division I levels, where he achieved significant individual and team successes.

2.1. NBA Draft and Rookie Season

Johnson was selected first overall in the 1991 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets, marking the beginning of his professional career. In his debut season, he quickly made an impact, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He also showcased his athletic prowess by competing in the 1992 Slam Dunk Contest at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando, where he finished second to Cedric Ceballos of the Phoenix Suns.

2.2. Charlotte Hornets (1991-1996)

Johnson's tenure with the Charlotte Hornets was a period of immense popularity for both the player and the franchise. In 1993, he was voted to start in the 1993 NBA All-Star Game, becoming the first Hornet in franchise history to receive this honor. That year marked his best statistical season, as he averaged 22.1 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game in 82 games, which earned him All-NBA Second Team honors. Johnson, alongside teammates Alonzo Mourning, Muggsy Bogues, and Dell Curry, played a pivotal role in the Hornets' rise to prominence in the early to mid-1990s. During this period, Johnson, known by his initialism "LJ" and the popular nickname "Grandmama" (derived from a series of commercials for Converse, which signed him to an endorsement contract), was featured on the cover of the premiere issue of SLAM.

In October 1993, Johnson signed what was, at the time, the most lucrative contract in NBA history: a 12-year, 84.00 M USD deal with the Hornets. However, his career trajectory was significantly impacted when he sprained his back on December 27, 1993, in a game against the Detroit Pistons, causing him to miss 31 games. This injury forced Johnson to adapt his play style, developing a more all-around game that included an improved outside shot. In the 1994-95 NBA season, he successfully made 81 three-pointers, nearly 60 more than he had in his first three years combined, and was selected to the 1995 NBA All-Star Game.

Friction between Johnson and Mourning eventually led the Hornets organization to make significant roster changes. Prior to the 1995-96 season, Mourning was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Glen Rice and Matt Geiger. Following that season, Johnson himself was traded to the New York Knicks for Anthony Mason and Brad Lohaus. While the Hornets sought a more consistent presence from Mason, the Knicks hoped Johnson would provide a strong inside presence alongside Patrick Ewing, though this expectation was not fully met due to Johnson's lingering back issues.

2.3. New York Knicks (1996-2001)

In his first season as a Knick, Johnson averaged 12.8 points, a career-low at the time. While he never fully returned to his prior All-Star form, he became a crucial member of the Knicks' 1999 Eastern Conference championship team. His role evolved as the Knicks increasingly relied on Allan Houston and later Latrell Sprewell as their primary scorers.

During Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Johnson was involved in a critical play. With 11.9 seconds remaining, he was fouled by Antonio Davis while attempting a three-point shot from beyond the arc. The referee called the foul just before Johnson released the ball, but it was ruled a continuation shooting foul. Johnson made the shot and converted the subsequent free throw for a four-point play, which ultimately secured a narrow 92-91 victory for the Knicks.

During the 1999 NBA Finals, Johnson made controversial statements, characterizing the Knicks as a band of "rebellious slaves." He elaborated on this, stating, "Our team has many rebellious slaves. 'Slave' means that no matter how hard we try, we cannot be integrated into the mainstream," expressing dissatisfaction with the perceived dynamics of a predominantly Black league owned by white individuals. When asked about the play of San Antonio Spurs point guard Avery Johnson in Game 4, Larry Johnson again shifted the topic to slavery, remarking, "Ave, man, we're from the same plantation. You tell Bill Walton that. We from Massa Johnson's plantation." He further articulated his frustration with the persistent systemic issues faced by Black communities despite individual success in the NBA: "Here's the NBA, full of blacks, great opportunities, they made beautiful strides. But what's the sense of that ... when I go back to my neighborhood and see the same thing? I'm the only one who came out of my neighborhood. Everybody ended up dead, in jail, on drugs, selling drugs. So I'm supposed to be honored and happy or whatever by my success. Yes, I am. But I can't deny the fact of what has happened to us over years and years and years and we're still at the bottom of the totem pole." These comments drew criticism, with Bill Walton notably calling Johnson's performance a "disgrace."

Johnson also played a central role in the escalating Heat-Knicks rivalry. In Game 5 of the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals, he was among several players who left the Knicks bench during a brawl involving teammate Charlie Ward and Miami's P. J. Brown, leading to his suspension for Game 7, which the Knicks ultimately lost. The following year, in Game 4 of the 1998 Eastern Conference First Round, Johnson and former Hornets teammate Mourning engaged in a fight that famously involved Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy holding onto Mourning's leg. Both Johnson and Mourning were suspended for Game 5, in which the seventh-seed Knicks eliminated the second-seed Heat.

On October 10, 2001, Johnson announced his early retirement from basketball. This decision was primarily due to chronic back problems that had plagued him for several years, which also contributed to a decline in his point production for three consecutive years leading up to his retirement.

6.1. Religious Conversion

Johnson converted to Islam. During his time in the NBA, he observed Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, which involved abstaining from food and drink from dawn until sunset.

6.2. Family and Financial Issues

Johnson has five children from relationships with four different women. In 2015, he filed for bankruptcy in a California court, stating that he owed more than 120.00 K USD in unpaid child support.

7.1. "Grandmama" Persona

Johnson gained significant cultural recognition through his famous nickname, "Grandmama," which originated from a popular series of commercials for Converse. In these advertisements, Johnson portrayed an elderly woman who could still perform incredible basketball feats. The "Grandmama" persona became widely recognized and contributed to his widespread popularity, leading to his feature on the cover of the premiere issue of SLAM.

7.2. Film and Television Roles

Johnson made several appearances in film and television, often leveraging his "Grandmama" persona. In 1993, he appeared in the "Grandmama" episode of the sitcom Family Matters, where he played his alter ego as Steve Urkel's teammate in a basketball tournament. Later that year, he was a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman. In 1996, he appeared as himself in the movies Eddie and Space Jam. In Space Jam, he had a supporting role as a fictionalized version of himself, one of the NBA stars whose basketball abilities were stolen by alien antagonists, alongside Muggsy Bogues, Shawn Bradley, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing.

8.1. NBA Regular Season

8.2. NBA Playoffs

8.3. College

10.1. On-Court Achievements and Impact

Johnson was a formidable presence on the court, particularly during his early career. His explosive power and versatility as a power forward made him a dominant force, leading to his selection as the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft and earning him the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. His peak performance with the Charlotte Hornets, highlighted by his 1993 All-NBA Second Team selection and two NBA All-Star appearances, solidified his status as one of the league's rising stars. He was instrumental in the Hornets' popular rise in the mid-1990s, forming a dynamic duo with Alonzo Mourning and captivating fans with his "Grandmama" persona. Even after a career-altering back injury forced him to adapt his play style, Johnson demonstrated resilience by developing an effective outside shot, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to remaining a valuable contributor. His collegiate career at UNLV was equally impactful, culminating in an NCAA championship and numerous individual accolades, including the Naismith College Player of the Year award, cementing his place in college basketball history.

10.2. Social Commentary and Controversies

Beyond his athletic prowess, Larry Johnson gained attention for his outspoken views on social issues, particularly during the 1999 NBA Finals. His characterization of the Knicks as "rebellious slaves" and his subsequent remarks about Black players in the NBA, despite their success, still facing systemic issues in their communities, sparked considerable debate. Johnson articulated a critical perspective on racial inequality, highlighting the disparities between the opportunities afforded to professional athletes and the harsh realities faced by individuals in his former neighborhood. He expressed frustration that while he achieved personal success, his community continued to struggle with issues like death, incarceration, and drug abuse, suggesting that individual achievement did not negate broader societal problems. These statements drew strong reactions, including criticism from figures like Bill Walton, who called Johnson's performance a "disgrace."

Johnson was also involved in several on-court controversies, notably during the intense Heat-Knicks rivalry. His participation in a brawl during the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals, which led to his suspension, and a physical altercation with former teammate Alonzo Mourning in the 1998 playoffs, further underscored his fiery competitive nature. While these incidents added to his controversial public image, they also reflected the high stakes and intense emotions of NBA playoff basketball. Johnson's willingness to speak out on sensitive social issues, even at the risk of public backlash, demonstrated a commitment to addressing systemic problems beyond the confines of the basketball court.