Vincent “Vinnie” Johnson The Microwave (born September 1, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York) is a retired American professional basketball player and a key player as sixth man for the Detroit Pistons during the team’s NBA championships of 1989 and 1990. Johnson attended Baylor University for the 1977-78 and 1978-79 seasons. One of the most prolific scorers in Baylor basketball history, Johnson averaged 24.1 points per game in his two seasons in Waco. A two-time All-American, Johnson ranks eighth in career points, sixth in career assists and second in career assists average at Baylor. He was named All-SWC in both 1978 and 1979. Johnson also holds the Baylor record for most points scored in a game with 50 against TCU in 1979. Johnson was chosen as the No. 7 overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He was traded to the Detroit Pistons in November 1981. At 6’2″, Johnson’s skill set allowed him to replace either point guard Isiah Thomas or shooting guard 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). On June 19, 1990, Vinnie made a 14-foot shot with just seven-tenths of a second (00.7) left on the clock, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 92-90 in Game 5 of the finals, and giving Detroit the championship. The basket earned Johnson a new nickname: 007. After leaving the Pistons following the 1990–91 season, Johnson would play one more season in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs before retiring in 1992. The Pistons honored Johnson’s career by retiring his number 15 jersey in a ceremony on February 5, 1994, at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Johnson was influenced by Earl Monroe growing up and only wore number 15 throughout his playing days. When asked about it by a fan later he said, “It was a huge honor. The fact that they retired my jersey tells me that I did some great things for the organization.”
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:34:44 +0000
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