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View Full Version : Grandmama Larry Johnson to return to NBA?


Indazone
10-23-2008, 04:21 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thbUkBW_ftM

This is a very exciting day in the life of Larry Johnson. That’s how excited I am — I’m pulling a Rickey. See, Grandmama played a large role in my childhood growing up. OK, that may be overstating things a bit, but Larry Johnson was quite a prominent figure while I was in elementary school. He was in all sorts of commercials representing Converse sneakers — like th one above, and he and Alonzo Mourning teamed up on a very exciting Hornets squad. Matter of fact, you got used to seeing Charlotte Hornets jerseys on playgrounds in LA. No joke. That’s how much pull Grandmama had back in the day. And that’s why I am overwhelmed with joy to hear that Grandmama might be back (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2007/07/20/2007-07-20_lj_might_be_back_as_knick_employee.html):

If there is such a thing as the “Curse of L.J.,” the Knicks may be doing something about it. According to sources, Johnson could be returning to the Knicks in a still-undefined role. In all likelihood, Johnson will be working for the Knicks part-time in their community relations department along with former teammate John Starks.
LJ had an injury settlement with the Knicks when his career ended in 2001 for $28 million. He’s not coming back for the money. But as you can tell, I am quite delighted to hear this rumor.

Gotta have rim rockin Gradmama back lol

LJ's commercials were the best.
spurs_fan_in_exile
10-23-2008, 04:23 PM
Every time I hear about him I think of my older brother, who was a big LJ fan and not the most attentive fantasy sport GM ever, trying to draft him the year after he retired.
alamo50
10-23-2008, 05:11 PM
One of my all-time favourite players.
Please don't come back LJ!
BacktoBasics
10-23-2008, 05:14 PM
If the guy didn't have injury isssues he would have been one of the best.
lefty
10-23-2008, 05:20 PM
If the guy didn't have injury isssues he would have been one of the best.

+1

He had talent AND charisma
jack sommerset
10-23-2008, 05:48 PM
I want to see LJ and Mourning play again and throw down.
mystargtr34
10-23-2008, 06:09 PM
He was my favourite player before Duncan.
balli
10-23-2008, 06:17 PM
This game was just on Hardwood Classics a couple days ago.

Gex2CpfWkwg
Obstructed_View
10-23-2008, 06:34 PM
She jukes and she cuts and stops dead in her tracks. She plants and she spins and leaves chumps on their backs.
MrChug
10-23-2008, 06:50 PM
I want to see LJ and Mourning play again and throw down.

...and Van Gundy run out from the mic and get dragged by a leg.
Anti.Hero
10-23-2008, 07:03 PM
For some reason I was a huge fan of LJ when I was a kid. I traded every MJ card I had for him and Zo ones.
spurs_fan_in_exile
10-23-2008, 07:13 PM
I want to see LJ and Mourning play again and throw down.

http://www.garmentdistrict.com/store/popculture/southpark/cripple_sm.jpg
pauls931
10-23-2008, 08:20 PM
First time I heard someone say 'alah akbhar' without something blowing up shortly afterwards.
ShoogarBear
10-23-2008, 09:18 PM
LJ pre-injury was the heir apparent to Charles Barkley. Might have ended up being better.
Reggie Miller
10-23-2008, 09:36 PM
+1

He had talent AND charisma

LJ was the Pistol Pete of his era. I hated the Knicks and Hornets, but I liked Larry.
RsxPiimp
10-24-2008, 02:16 AM
nigga is done
MrChug
10-24-2008, 09:58 AM
LJ pre-injury was the heir apparent to Charles Barkley. Might have ended up being better.

He was smoother, better footwork, and a better outside shot with the body of a fullback. Maybe not the rebounding with the intensity he lacked. Not to down LJ because he was one of my favorites, but more props for Chuck because it seems NO ONE matched his rebounding intensity.
BWS-1994
10-24-2008, 10:59 AM
+1

He had talent AND charisma

PR department perhaps?
spurs_fan_in_exile
10-24-2008, 11:11 AM
LJ was the Pistol Pete of his era. I hated the Knicks and Hornets, but I liked Larry.

Same here. I almost felt a little sad that the Spurs had to go over him to get their first title.

The thing that stands out in my mind, particularly compared to today's players, is how Johnson managed to pull of an air of toughness without coming across as a thug. He'd be a great fit for any PR department, though I don't know how you can spin the clusterfuck that I expect the Knicks to be this year.
DANILO DRASKOVIC
10-24-2008, 11:14 AM
how tall is Jim gray?
6'5"?
alamo50
10-24-2008, 03:57 PM
LJ was the Pistol Pete of his era.

Say what?
Tully365
10-24-2008, 04:36 PM
If the guy didn't have injury isssues he would have been one of the best.


+1

He had talent AND charisma


LJ pre-injury was the heir apparent to Charles Barkley. Might have ended up being better.

+1
Tully365
10-24-2008, 04:40 PM
This game was just on Hardwood Classics a couple days ago.

Gex2CpfWkwg

Saying "all praise due to Allah" wasn't quite as controversial in those days...
Indazone
10-24-2008, 05:36 PM
Might as well post his commercials

Grandmama was a classic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tF4tBsqJ2g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYbWeR2zFUw
ShoogarBear
10-24-2008, 11:10 PM
LOL @ Snapper saying "don't foul on a 3" right before the shot.

Questionable call, but a great moment.
ducks
10-24-2008, 11:30 PM
dude was better then james
Warlord23
10-24-2008, 11:41 PM
dude was better then james

ducks, whose dick is your mouth more full of: LeBron or Manny Ramirez?
m33p0
10-25-2008, 02:19 AM
LJ pre-injury was the heir apparent to Charles Barkley. Might have ended up being better.
pre-draft scouting report said he was quicker than power forwards and stronger than small forwards. but he was more like slower than small forwards and weaker than power forwards.
ShoogarBear
10-25-2008, 08:37 AM
pre-draft scouting report said he was quicker than power forwards and stronger than small forwards. but he was more like slower than small forwards and weaker than power forwards.

I don't know what your point is, but in his first two years, before his first major injury, he averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Who's the last 6'6" guy capable of that?
ducks
10-25-2008, 10:01 AM
he also was on his tiptoes getting rebounds
he knew how to block out
m33p0
10-25-2008, 10:23 AM
I don't know what your point is, but in his first two years, before his first major injury, he averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Who's the last 6'6" guy capable of that?
he often played the "i can beat you on your game" game like often trying to post up bigger defenders and shoot fadeaways instead of going around them.


*looking at that charlotte team* man, they are short!
Reggie Miller
10-25-2008, 02:44 PM
Say what?

Great player who's career was shortened by injury and played on crappy teams in his early years. Not a perfect analogy, but he's who came to my mind first. Maravich was a player no one really should have liked, but you couldn't help yourself.
Reggie Miller
10-25-2008, 02:46 PM
I don't know what your point is, but in his first two years, before his first major injury, he averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Who's the last 6'6" guy capable of that?

Larry also had a complete offensive skill set. He had both inside scoring and jump shooting ability. That was pretty common even in the '90s, but really rare now.