LARRY BIRD ("Larry Legend," "The Hick from French Lick")
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: 1979-80; MVP: 19783-84, 1984-85, 1985-86; ALL-NBA: 1979-80 (1st), 1980-81 (1st), 1982-83 (1st), 1983-84 (1st), 1984-85 (1st), 1985-86 (1st), 1986-87 (1st), 1987-88 (1st), 1989-90 (2nd); ALL-DEFENSE: 1981-82 (2nd), 1982-83 (2nd), 1983-84 (2nd); ALL-STAR: 1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92; HALL OF FAME: Inducted in 1998.
Once every generation or so, a player comes along who can truly be called a superstar. Larry Bird was such a player. For 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, Bird personified hustle, consistency and excellence in all areas of play--as a scorer, a passer, a rebounder, a defender, a team player, and, perhaps above all, as a clutch performer. Bird was so self-confident that he was known to waltz up to the opponents' bench before tipoff and predict a 40-point performance for himself. He was such a deadly shooter that he sometimes practiced three-pointers with his eyes closed.
Bird possessed an uncanny and unparalleled ability to anticipate and react to the strategies of his opponents. His talent for recognizing the moves of opponents and teammates prompted his first coach with the Celtics, Bill Fitch, to nickname him "Kodak", because he seemed to formulate mental pictures of every play that took place on the court. Bird scored 24.3 points per game in his career on a high .496 field goal average, a stellar .886 free throw average (9th best all-time) and a .376 percentage on 3-point shots. Bird was also a good rebounder (10.0 rebound career average) and an excellent playmaker (6.3 assist career average). His multidimensional game made him a consistent triple-double threat; Bird currently ranks fifth all-time in triple-doubles with 59, not including the 10 he recorded in the playoffs. Bird's lifetime player efficiency rating (PER) is 23.5, 16th all-time, a further testament to his all around game.[1] Larry's high free throw percentage is due in no small part to the fact that when he was a boy, he used to shoot 200 free throws before school, every day, according to a late 1990s Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance commercial with Larry himself.
Bird is also remembered as an excellent defender. While he was neither fast or quick-footed, and could not always shut down an individual player one-on-one, he consistently displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, allowing him to intercept passes and create turnovers. His 1,556 career steals ranks 27th all-time. Unspectacular but effective defensive moves, such as jumping into a passing lane to make a steal or allowing his man to step past and drive to the hoop, then blocking the opponent's shot from behind, were staples of Bird's defensive game. As a testament to his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. Statistics aside, Bird was perhaps best known as a fierce competitor and outstanding team leader. His former teammates frequently said that he elevated their level of play through his selflessness and leadership.
Bird's competitive nature often emerged in nearly constant trash-talking on the court. Some notable examples: During one game on Christmas Day against the Indiana Pacers, before the game Bird told Chuck Person that he would give him a Christmas present. During the game, when Person was on the bench, Bird shot a three-pointer on the baseline right in front of Person. Immediately after the shot, Bird said to Person, "Merry f***in' Christmas!", and then the shot went in; During the three-point shooting contest on All-Star Weekend 1986, Bird entered the locker room, looked around without saying a word, then finally said, "I'm just looking around to see who's gonna finish up second." He indeed won the shooting contest; Late in a tied game against the Seattle SuperSonics, Bird told Supersonics forward Xavier McDaniel, who was guarding him, exactly where he would hit the game winning shot. After a timeout, Bird made two baseline cuts, then posted in the exact spot he had indicated to McDaniel, paused, turned, and hit the shot in his face; On November 9, 1984, Bird was ejected along with Julius Erving in the third quarter after an on court scuffle. At the point of both ejections, Bird had outscored Erving 42 to 6. During the game, Bird had continuously informed Erving of their tallies with every chance he got to score. Eventually ensued a shoving match, then swings taken by both players, and finally a bench-clearing brawl.
| SEASON |
LG
|
TM
|
GM
|
MIN
|
FG%
|
3P%
|
FT%
|
REB
|
AST
|
STL
|
BLK
|
TO
|
PPG
|
| 1979-80 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
82
|
36.0
|
.474
|
.406
|
.836
|
10.4
|
4.5
|
1.7
|
0.6
|
3.2
|
21.3
|
| 1980-81 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
82
|
39.5
|
.478
|
.270
|
.863
|
10.9
|
5.5
|
2.0
|
0.8
|
3.5
|
21.2
|
| 1981-82 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
77
|
38.0
|
.503
|
.212
|
.863
|
10.9
|
5.8
|
1.9
|
0.9
|
3.3
|
22.9
|
| 1982-83 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
79
|
37.7
|
.504
|
.286
|
.840
|
11.0
|
5.8
|
1.9
|
0.9
|
3.0
|
23.6
|
| 1983-84 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
79
|
38.3
|
.492
|
.247
|
.888
|
10.1
|
6.6
|
1.8
|
0.9
|
3.0
|
24.2
|
| 1984-85 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
80
|
39.5
|
.522
|
.427
|
.882
|
10.5
|
6.6
|
1.6
|
1.2
|
3.1
|
28.7
|
| 1985-86 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
82
|
38.0
|
.496
|
.423
|
.896
|
9.8
|
6.8
|
2.0
|
0.6
|
3.2
|
25.8
|
| 1986-87 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
74
|
40.6
|
.525
|
.400
|
.910
|
9.2
|
7.6
|
1.8
|
0.9
|
3.2
|
28.1
|
| 1987-88 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
76
|
39.0
|
.527
|
.414
|
.916
|
9.3
|
6.1
|
1.6
|
0.8
|
2.8
|
29.9
|
| 1988-89 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
6
|
31.5
|
.471
|
--
|
.947
|
6.2
|
4.8
|
1.0
|
0.8
|
1.8
|
19.3
|
| 1989-90 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
75
|
39.3
|
.473
|
.333
|
.930
|
9.5
|
7.5
|
1.4
|
0.8
|
3.2
|
24.3
|
| 1990-91 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
60
|
38.0
|
.454
|
.389
|
.891
|
8.5
|
7.2
|
1.8
|
1.0
|
3.1
|
19.4
|
| 1991-92 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
45
|
36.9
|
.466
|
.406
|
.926
|
9.6
|
6.8
|
0.9
|
0.7
|
2.8
|
20.2
|
| TOTAL |
|
|
897
|
38.4
|
.496
|
.376
|
.886
|
10.0
|
6.3
|
1.7
|
0.8
|
3.1
|
24.3
|
DAVE COWENS ("Big Red")
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: 1970-71; MVP: 1972-73; ALL-NBA: 1972-73 (2nd), 1974-75 (2nd), 1975-76 (2nd); ALL-DEFENSE: 1974-75 (2nd), 1975-76 (1st), 1979-80 (2nd); ALL-STAR: 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78; HALL OF FAME: Inducted in 1991.
Dave Cowens earned a berth in the Basketball Hall of Fame because of his tenacity and work ethic as a mainstay of the Boston Celtics in the 1970s, leading the team to NBA Championships in 1974 and 1976. Playing in the era of Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlain, and "Pistol Pete" Maravich, Cowens didn't possess the flash and glitz of those high-profile superstars. Instead, it was Cowens' consistency, work ethic, unselfishness, versatility and energy that established him as one of the most solid and respected centers in recent NBA history. He was also one of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, and one of SLAM Magazine's top 75 players of All Time in 2003 (at #24).
Despite some critics who felt Cowens was too small to play center, Cowens was selected as the fourth overall pick by the Boston Celtics during the 1970 NBA Draft, largely at the recommendation of former Celtics center Bill Russell. During his rookie year, Cowens averaged 17.0 points per game and 15.0 rebounds per game, and shared the NBA's Rookie of the Year honors with Portland's Geoff Petrie.
In 1973, Cowens averaged 20.5 ppg and 16.2 rpg while helping the Celtics to a league best 68-14 record. He was chosen the NBA MVP as well as MVP of the All-Star Game that same season.
During his NBA career, Cowens averaged 17.6 points and 13.6 rebounds per game, was selected to seven All-Star Games, was named to the All-NBA Second Team three times, and was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team in 1976 and All-NBA Defensive Second Team in 1973 and 1980. He was a member of the Celtics' 1974 and 1976 NBA Championship teams.
From time to time, perhaps as a way of counter-balancing his zealous commitment to the game of basketball and the Celtics, Cowens exhibited a few unconventional traits. In 1974, after the Celtics won the NBA championship over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Milwaukee Bucks, he slept on a park bench on Boston Common, purportedly after wandering throughout the neighborhoods adjacent to downtown Boston to celebrate the victory with Celtics fans and an entourage of admirers and devotees. For a time during the early part of the 1977 season, Cowens stopped working as a professional basketball player and started driving a cab.
| SEASON |
LG
|
TM
|
GM
|
MIN
|
FG%
|
3P%
|
FT%
|
REB
|
AST
|
STL
|
BLK
|
TO
|
PPG
|
| 1970-71 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
81
|
38.0
|
.422
|
--
|
.732
|
15.0
|
2.8
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
17.0
|
| 1971-72 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
79
|
40.3
|
.484
|
--
|
.720
|
15.2
|
3.1
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
18.8
|
| 1972-73 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
82
|
41.8
|
.452
|
--
|
.779
|
16.2
|
4.1
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
20.5
|
| 1973-74 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
80
|
41.9
|
.437
|
--
|
.832
|
15.7
|
4.4
|
1.2
|
1.3
|
--
|
19.0
|
| 1974-75 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
65
|
40.5
|
.475
|
--
|
.783
|
14.7
|
4.6
|
1.3
|
1.1
|
--
|
20.4
|
| 1975-76 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
78
|
39.8
|
.468
|
--
|
.756
|
16.0
|
4.2
|
1.2
|
0.9
|
--
|
19.0
|
| 1976-77 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
50
|
37.8
|
.434
|
--
|
.818
|
13.9
|
5.0
|
0.9
|
1.0
|
--
|
16.4
|
| 1977-78 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
77
|
41.8
|
.490
|
--
|
.842
|
14.0
|
4.6
|
1.3
|
0.9
|
2.8
|
18.6
|
| 1978-79 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
68
|
37.0
|
.483
|
--
|
.807
|
9.6
|
3.6
|
1.1
|
0.8
|
2.6
|
24.7
|
| 1979-80 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
66
|
32.7
|
.453
|
.083
|
.779
|
8.1
|
3.1
|
1.0
|
0.9
|
1.6
|
25.3
|
| 1982-83 |
NBA
|
MIL
|
40
|
25.4
|
.444
|
.000
|
.825
|
6.9
|
2.1
|
0.8
|
0.4
|
1.1
|
19.4
|
| TOTAL |
|
|
766
|
38.6
|
.460
|
.071
|
.783
|
13.6
|
3.8
|
1.1
|
0.9
|
2.2
|
17.6
|
BAILEY HOWELL
ALL-NBA TEAM: 1962-63 (2nd); ALL STAR: 1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1963-64, 1965-66, 1966-67; HALL OF FAME: Inducted in 1997.
Bailey Howell was born in Middleton, Tennessee, on January 20,1937. Howell transcended the game of basketball for his day and time. He dominated during his collegiate and professional careers. He was a player so skilled that at the time of his retirement from the NBA in 1971, Howell ranked among the league’s top 10 leaders in nine statistical categories.
A two-time consensus All-American at Mississippi State and a two-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, Bailey Howell was a versatile power forward who could score like a guard and rebound like a center.
At 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, the athletic Howell enjoyed a record-breaking three-year stretch at Mississippi State. Howell was named the school's Most Valuable Athlete in 1958-59 after guiding the Bulldogs to their first-ever Southeastern Conference title that year. A three-time All-SEC selection, Howell averaged 27.1 points per game, leading Mississippi State to a three-year 61-14 record. Howell, who led the NCAA in field goal percentage with .568 in 1957, still ranks as the school's all-time leader in rebounding with 1,277, averaging 17.0 rebounds per game and free throws made and attempted, and is second on the all-time scoring list with 2,030 career points.
Howell was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first round as the second pick of the 1959 NBA draft — still the highest draft pick ever chosen from Mississippi State. He excelled for 12 NBA seasons, and upon his retirement in 1971, ranked in the top 10 in nine statistical categories, including eighth all-time in points scored with 17,770, 18.7 points per game, fourth in games played, and ninth in rebounding with 9,383, 9.9 rebounds per game. A six-time NBA All-Star, Howell played for the Detroit Pistons, the Baltimore Bullets, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. Howell guided his teams to 10 playoff appearances and finished his career with 17,770 points and 9,383 rebounds. Howell won two championships with the Boston Celtics. He was the first man from the state of Mississippi to be enshrined into the NBA Hall of Fame on September 29, 1997.
| SEASON |
LG
|
TM
|
GM
|
MIN
|
FG%
|
3P%
|
FT%
|
REB
|
AST
|
STL
|
BLK
|
TO
|
PPG
|
| 1959-60 |
NBA
|
DET
|
75
|
31.3
|
.456
|
--
|
.739
|
10.5
|
0.8
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
17.8
|
| 1960-61 |
NBA
|
DET
|
77
|
38.3
|
.469
|
--
|
.753
|
14.4
|
2.5
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
23.6
|
| 1961-62 |
NBA
|
DET
|
79
|
36.2
|
.464
|
--
|
.768
|
12.6
|
2.4
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
19.9
|
| 1962-63 |
NBA
|
DET
|
79
|
37.6
|
.516
|
--
|
.798
|
11.5
|
2.9
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
22.7
|
| 1963-64 |
NBA
|
DET
|
77
|
35.1
|
.472
|
--
|
.809
|
10.1
|
2.7
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
21.6
|
| 1964-65 |
NBA
|
BAL
|
80
|
37.2
|
.495
|
--
|
.801
|
10.9
|
2.6
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
19.2
|
| 1965-66 |
NBA
|
BAL
|
79
|
29.5
|
.488
|
--
|
.730
|
9.8
|
2.0
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
17.3
|
| 1966-67 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
81
|
30.9
|
.512
|
--
|
.741
|
8.4
|
1.3
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
20.0
|
| 1967-68 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
82
|
34.2
|
.481
|
--
|
.727
|
9.8
|
1.6
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
19.8
|
| 1968-69 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
78
|
32.4
|
.487
|
--
|
.735
|
8.8
|
1.8
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
19.7
|
| 1969-70 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
82
|
25.3
|
.429
|
--
|
.763
|
6.7
|
1.5
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
12.6
|
| 1970-71 |
NBA
|
PHI
|
82
|
19.4
|
.472
|
--
|
.730
|
5.4
|
1.4
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
10.7
|
| TOTAL |
|
|
951
|
32.2
|
.480
|
--
|
.762
|
9.9
|
1.9
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
18.7
|
SAMUEL JONES ("The Shooter")
ALL-NBA TEAM: 1964-65 (2nd), 1965-66 (2nd), 1966-67 (2nd); ALL STAR: 1961-62, 1963-64, 1964-65, 1965-66, 1967-68; HALL OF FAME: Inducted in 1984.
Called "Mr. Clutch" by many of his peers, Sam Jones was one of the linchpins of the fabulous Boston juggernaut of the 1950s and 1960s. His uncannily accurate bank shots, lightning quickness, and cool demeanor helped the Celtics win 10 NBA Championships in the 12 years he played with the team. During his career Jones racked up 15,411 points at a 17.7 points per game clip, and shot .803 from the free-throw line. Selected to the All-NBA Second Team three times and an All-Star five times, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983.
His longtime coach, Red Auerbach, was one of his greatest fans. Jones's special attributes as a player, Auerbach once explained, were his speed, touch, reflexes, and attitude. But there was another quality that made him a standout: dedication. "He'll do anything you ask him," said Auerbach. "He's always in shape and ready to play, and nobody works any harder at basketball than he does."
It wasn't until early in the 1960-61 season that Jones made his breakthrough into the starting lineup. Injuries had sidelined Bill Sharman, so Auerbach called on Jones to assume the off guard position. Although Jones publicly announced his discomfort with a starter's role, he performed brilliantly that year, averaging 14.8 points. For the next three seasons as a starting guard he kept improving. His reputation as a great clutch player began to form as well. After averaging 18.2 points during the 1961-62 regular season-and earning his first All-Star selection-he pumped that up to 20.6 in the playoffs. Boston faced the Philadelphia Warriors and Wilt Chamberlain in the Eastern Division Finals, and they stretched the Celtics to the limit. In the seventh-game showdown, with the score tied at 107 and two seconds left, Jones hit a jump shot over the outstretched arms of Chamberlain to seal the win. After the game Chamberlain hailed Jones as the Celtics' best player. In the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Jones again came through, scoring five of the Celtics' 10 overtime points in Game 7 to propel Boston to a fourth straight NBA crown.
He participated in five NBA All-Star Games, and is usually mentioned as the 4th best guard of the 1960s, behind Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Hal Greer. Jones was named to the All-NBA Second Team 3 straight years (1965-67) and he played on ten NBA championship teams (1959-66 and 1968-69) -— a total exceeded only by teammate Bill Russell.
| SEASON |
LG
|
TM
|
GM
|
MIN
|
FG%
|
3P%
|
FT%
|
REB
|
AST
|
STL
|
BLK
|
TO
|
PPG
|
| 1957-58 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
56
|
10.6
|
.429
|
--
|
.714
|
2.9
|
0.7
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
4.6
|
| 1958-59 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
71
|
20.6
|
.434
|
--
|
.770
|
6.0
|
1.4
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
10.7
|
| 1959-60 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
74
|
20.4
|
.454
|
--
|
.764
|
5.1
|
1.7
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
11.9
|
| 1960-61 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
78
|
26.0
|
.449
|
--
|
.787
|
5.4
|
2.8
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
15.0
|
| 1961-62 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
78
|
30.6
|
.464
|
--
|
.818
|
5.9
|
3.0
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
18.4
|
| 1962-63 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
76
|
30.6
|
.476
|
--
|
.793
|
5.2
|
3.2
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
19.7
|
| 1963-64 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
76
|
31.3
|
.450
|
--
|
.783
|
4.6
|
2.7
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
19.4
|
| 1964-65 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
80
|
36.1
|
.452
|
--
|
.820
|
5.1
|
2.8
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
25.9
|
| 1965-66 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
68
|
31.7
|
.469
|
--
|
.799
|
5.1
|
3.2
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
23.2
|
| 1966-67 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
72
|
32.3
|
.454
|
--
|
.857
|
4.7
|
3.0
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
22.1
|
| 1967-68 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
73
|
33.0
|
.461
|
--
|
.827
|
4.9
|
3.0
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
21.3
|
| 1968-69 |
NBA
|
BOS
|
70
|
26.0
|
.450
|
--
|
.783
|
3.8
|
2.6
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
16.3
|
| TOTAL |
|
|
872
|
27.8
|
.456
|
--
|
.803
|
4.9
|
2.5
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
17.7
|
NORM NIXON ("Savoir Faire")
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM: 1977-78; ALL STAR: 1981-82, 1984-85.
Norman Ellard Nixon was the 22nd overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, out of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Was a top-rated point guard in the league, but switched to shooting guard after the arrival of Magic Johnson. Norm helped the Lakers to win NBA world championships in 1980 and 1982. He averaged 20.4 points and 8.1 assists during the 1982 NBA Playoffs.
But tragedy struck in Lakerland when Norm was traded to the San Diego Clippers prior to the 1983-84 season in exchange for the draft rights to guard Byron Scott. A traumatized Jack Nicholson wore black to he next few Laker games.
He set franchise records for the Clippers in total assists for a season, most 3-pointers made in a game (6) and most points scored in a half (32). He is also the only Clipper ever to record more than 20 points and 20 assists in a single game, but missed the 1987 and 1988 seasons due to a serious injury. He tried to come back three years later, but he'd lost his hops. After a year playing in Europe, he hung it up for good and went into broadcasting.
The trading of Norm Nixon was a rough day for Laker fans, but the Timberwolves are proud to have him on their team today.
| SEASON |
LG
|
TM
|
GM
|
MIN
|
FG%
|
3P%
|
FT%
|
REB
|
AST
|
STL
|
BLK
|
TO
|
PPG
|
| 1977-78 |
NBA
|
LAL
|
81
|
34.3
|
.497
|
--
|
.714
|
3.0
|
6.8
|
1.7
|
0.1
|
3.1
|
13.7
|
| 1978-79 |
NBA
|
LAL
|
82
|
38.4
|
.542
|
--
|
.775
|
2.8
|
9.0
|
2.5
|
0.2
|
2.8
|
17.1
|
| 1979-80 |
NBA
|
LAL
|
82
|
39.3
|
.516
|
.125
|
.779
|
2.8
|
7.8
|
1.8
|
0.2
|
3.5
|
17.6
|
| 1980-81 |
NBA
|
LAL
|
79
|
37.5
|
.476
|
.167
|
.778
|
2.9
|
8.8
|
1.8
|
0.1
|
3.6
|
17.1
|
| 1981-82 |
NBA
|
LAL
|
82
|
36.9
|
.493
|
.250
|
.808
|
2.1
|
8.0
|
1.6
|
0.1
|
2.9
|
17.6
|
| 1982-83 |
NBA
|
LAL
|
79
|
34.3
|
.475
|
.000
|
.744
|
2.6
|
7.2
|
1.3
|
0.1
|
3.0
|
15.1
|
| 1983-84 |
NBA
|
SDC
|
82
|
37.2
|
.462
|
.239
|
.760
|
2.5
|
11.1
|
1.1
|
0.0
|
3.1
|
17.0
|
| 1984-85 |
NBA
|
LAC
|
81
|
35.7
|
.465
|
.333
|
.780
|
2.7
|
8.8
|
1.2
|
0.0
|
3.4
|
17.2
|
| 1985-86 |
NBA
|
LAC
|
67
|
31.9
|
.438
|
.347
|
.809
|
2.7
|
8.6
|
1.3
|
0.0
|
2.8
|
14.6
|
| 198-89 |
NBA
|
LAC
|
53
|
24.9
|
.414
|
.276
|
.738
|
1.5
|
6.4
|
0.9
|
0.0
|
2.2
|
6.8
|
| TOTAL |
|
|
768
|
35.5
|
.483
|
.294
|
.772
|
2.6
|
8.3
|
1.5
|
0.1
|
3.1
|
15.7
|
VINNIE JOHNSON ("Microwave")
Vinnie Johnson is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He attended Baylor University and completed a distinguished college basketball career in 1979. He was the 7th overall selection in first round of the NBA draft, by Seattle. After two successful seasons with the Supersonics, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons for Greg Kelser, on November 21, 1981. Johnson played a key role in driving the Detroit Pistons to consecutive NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.
At 6'2", Johnson's skill set allowed him to replace either Isiah Thomas or Joe Dumars from the bench. Johnson earned the nickname "the Microwave" from Boston Celtics guard Danny Ainge for his ability to score many points in a short period of time (i.e., Johnson could heat up the offense of the team in short order) and his "instant defense". The game he got the nickname for was during the playoffs, against the Celtics on May 5, 1985. The Pistons trailed 87-76 after three periods at Joe Louis Arena and were in danger of falling behind three games to one -- when Vinnie caught fire. He scored 22 of 26 Pistons’ points in the period to pace a dramatic 102-99 win, and tie the series. Ainge looked up from his stool and said, “If that guy in Chicago is ‘The Refrigerator,’ then Vinnie Johnson is ‘The Microwave.’ He sure heated up in a hurry."
The Pistons honored Johnson's remarkable career contribution by retiring his number 15 jersey in a ceremony on January 27, 2006 at The Palace. He was influenced by Earl Monroe growing up and only wore number 15 throughout his playing days. That number now hangs proudly in the rafters of the arena, reminding everyone of the greatest Piston team of all time... and the greatest sixth man.
VIDEO AT RIGHT: Vinnie Johnson earns his nickname "microwave" by scoring nearly every field goal in the 4th quarter as the pistons come from behind to beat the Celtics in game 4 of the 1985 playoffs.
| SEASON |
LG
|
TM
|
GM
|
MIN
|
FG%
|
3P%
|
FT%
|
REB
|
AST
|
STL
|
BLK
|
TO
|
PPG
|
| 1979-80 |
NBA
|
SEA
|
38
|
8.6
|
.391
|
.000
|
.795
|
1.4
|
1.4
|
0.5
|
0.1
|
1.1
|
3.2
|
| 1978-79 |
NBA
|
SEA
|
81
|
28.5
|
.534
|
.200
|
.793
|
4.5
|
4.2
|
1.0
|
0.2
|
2.7
|
13.0
|
| 1979-80 |
NBA
|
SEA
|
7
|
14.9
|
.409
|
.000
|
.750
|
2.1
|
1.6
|
0.9
|
0.3
|
0.7
|
3.9
|
|
NBA
|
DET
|
67
|
17.8
|
.493
|
.273
|
.754
|
2.1
|
2.4
|
0.7
|
0.3
|
1.4
|
7.7
|
|
NBA
|
TOT
|
74
|
17.5
|
.489
|
.250
|
.754
|
2.1
|
2.3
|
0.8
|
0.3
|
1.3
|
7.4
|
| 1982-83 |
NBA
|
DET
|
82
|
30.6
|
.513
|
.275
|
.778
|
4.3
|
3.7
|
1.1
|
0.6
|
1.9
|
15.8
|
| 1983-84 |
NBA
|
DET
|
82
|
23.3
|
.473
|
.211
|
.753
|
2.9
|
3.3
|
0.5
|
0.2
|
1.6
|
13.0
|
| 1984-85 |
NBA
|
DET
|
82
|
25.5
|
.454
|
.185
|
.769
|
3.1
|
4.0
|
0.9
|
0.2
|
1.6
|
12.8
|
| 1985-86 |
NBA
|
DET
|
79
|
25.0
|
.467
|
.154
|
.771
|
2.9
|
3.4
|
1.0
|
0.3
|
1.1
|
13.9
|
| 1986-87 |
NBA
|
DET
|
78
|
27.8
|
.462
|
.286
|
.786
|
3.3
|
3.8
|
1.2
|
0.2
|
1.7
|
15.7
|
| 1987-88 |
NBA
|
DET
|
82
|
23.6
|
.443
|
.208
|
.677
|
2.8
|
3.3
|
0.7
|
0.2
|
1.9
|
12.2
|
| 1988-89 |
NBA
|
DET
|
82
|
25.3
|
.464
|
.295
|
.734
|
3.1
|
3.0
|
0.9
|
0.2
|
1.3
|
13.8
|
| 1989-90 |
NBA
|
DET
|
82
|
24.0
|
.431
|
.147
|
.668
|
3.1
|
3.1
|
0.9
|
0.2
|
1.5
|
9.8
|
| 1990-91 |
NBA
|
DET
|
82
|
29.1
|
.434
|
.324
|
.646
|
3.4
|
3.3
|
0.9
|
0.2
|
1.4
|
11.7
|
| 1991-92 |
NBA
|
SAS
|
60
|
22.5
|
.405
|
.317
|
.647
|
3.0
|
2.4
|
0.7
|
0.2
|
1.2
|
8.0
|
| TOTAL |
|
|
984
|
24.7
|
.464
|
.254
|
.740
|
3.2
|
3.3
|
0.9
|
0.3
|
1.6
|
12.0
|
