Whatever happened to Larry Johnson?

[eastaugh36]

Does anyone know where this former overpaid "future" superstar went?

 

[jerry springer]

im pretty sure he had a re-ocurring problem with the disc in his back,which left him with limited power to jump and thus was forced to retire.i think he is still on the knicks pay-roll along with luc longley for another season until his contract runs out but dont quote me.

pity,when he first come into the league he was unstoppable.the man was just too strong to guard.if you put a big guy on him he was too quick for them.sure could throw a punch though.

 

[jerry springer]

but in answer to your original question,i think he works at a gym in dallas with street kids that he built.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

He was never overpaid, and was a genuine star of the league. But as Jerry said, injuries ruined his career.

Like Luc Longley, he is still getting paid plenty by the Knicks.

 

[jerry springer]

I never will forget that 4 point play he made,i think v's indiana in 99.never seen a crowd go as mental in any sporting event in my life.i'll give it to the knicks fan's they passionate,and they dont put up with losing.

The big L

 

[eastaugh36]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
He was never overpaid, and was a genuine star of the league. But as Jerry said, injuries ruined his career.

Like Luc Longley, he is still getting paid plenty by the Knicks.

Wasn't he on a contract like 30million or something? But I guess all top sportsmen are overpaid these days.

 

[jerry springer]

Originally posted by eastaugh36
Wasn't he on a contract like 30million or something? But I guess all top sportsmen are overpaid these days.

larry Johnson was the first American sportsperson to get a mega contract,which led to the stupid contracts that were given out during the nineties e.g garnett getting $127 million,jwuan howard getting $100 million etc,etc and why we have a luxury tax now.this led to Glenn robinson holding out trying to become the first $100 million dollar sportsman(he ended up with $66million)

I think the Hornets gave LJ $87 million over 8-9 years.Not Larry's fault, cant blame him for taking the money off a dumd rich man.At the time it wa unheard of to get that much money.I think Jordan was on about $32 million over 5 years at the time.Also when larry got the contract he looked like he was going to be a super-star,but unfortunatly he got injured and couldnt live up to his price-tag.

Not as bad as baseball though. i think A-Rod got a $400 million contract over 10 years from the texas rangers.that is insane

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by jerry springer

Not as bad as baseball though. i think A-Rod got a $400 million contract over 10 years from the texas rangers.that is insane

A little less with the exchange rate, but yes, insane, even for the best player in the game.

Another problem with baseball is old blokes getting long-term deals. It really is laughable when you see 36 year olds getting 6-7 year deals, despite knowing they will only play one more year.

The players have the owners by the balls.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by jerry springer

I think the Hornets gave LJ $87 million over 8-9 years.

It was $84M US over 12 years, this came after Larry's rookie year.

The contract was perfectly fine IMO. If injury hadn't intervened, he would have been getting only about $7M a year over the last 4-5 years of the deal, a bargain for a stud.

Whilst the years were ludicrous, the money was well and truly spot on.

 

[jerry springer]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
It was $84M US over 12 years, this came after Larry's rookie year.

The contract was perfectly fine IMO. If injury hadn't intervened, he would have been getting only about $7M a year over the last 4-5 years of the deal, a bargain for a stud.

Whilst the years were ludicrous, the money was well and truly spot on.

yeah i knew it around that mark,didnt know it was that long though.thats unbelievable.

the money was probably was about right.Not only was he a gun player,but he had a personality.something that is lacking in today's NBA.I remember back in 93,94 i think ,charlotte made the play-offs for the first time.But i think it was against the bulls who thought they were in for a easy series.they won but LJ gave them hell.Christ he could throw a punch too,i remember seeing him and the Davis boys when they played for indiana having a huge punch up once.

Its lame,but im gunna have to admit that the LJ was probably the reason that i started folowing the NBA.used to love those "Grandmamma" Ads,and i bought his jersey.The man was a dude.

 

[coxon]

Originally posted by jerry springer
Not only was he a gun player,but he had a personality.something that is lacking in today's NBA.

Its lame,but im gunna have to admit that the LJ was probably the reason that i started folowing the NBA.used to love those "Grandmamma" Ads,and i bought his jersey.The man was a dude.

dude he was...
one of the stars of the league during the early nineties...
huge performer for his size... fantastic dunker..

i had a pair of his black suede cons ~

 

[Fall Out Boy]

I've loved LJ since the Runnin' Rebels days. First two jerseys i bought were his college kit and his Charlotte one.

Absolutely adored the guy.

 

[Adrian Shelton]

That UNLV squad(LJ,Augmon,Anthony,Scurry,Hunt etc...) ran college ball before the Fab 5 hit town. Apparently they gave the Russian national squad a 30pt pounding one night.

 

[no1bankteller]

Originally posted by jerry springer
I never will forget that 4 point play he made,i think v's indiana in 99.never seen a crowd go as mental in any sporting event in my life.i'll give it to the knicks fan's they passionate,and they dont put up with losing.

The big L

I was in a hostel in LA watching that game and went absolutely balistic... People ran around the corner thinking something was wrong...

From memory I think he did a four point play and a 3pointer to close out two consecutive games in that series...

 

[no1bankteller]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
I've loved LJ since the Runnin' Rebels days. First two jerseys i bought were his college kit and his Charlotte one.

Absolutely adored the guy.

Loved the basketball lesson that he gave Mourning and Matumbo in NCAA Finals... They just could not find a way to stop him... apperently Running Rebels winning that championship was one of the reasons he and Mourning did not see eye to eye...

 

[Portmanteau]

Originally posted by Adrian Shelton
That UNLV squad(LJ,Augmon,Anthony,Scurry,Hunt etc...) ran college ball before the Fab 5 hit town. Apparently they gave the Russian national squad a 30pt pounding one night.

Apparently the title game v Duke in 90 or 91 was well dodge. Hasn't been any investigation into to it though, I guess...

 

[Squeak]

Back in the days of basketball cards (remember those), I specifically collected cards of two players - the first guy is probably the same as everyone else, but the second?

LJ. An absolute dude.

 

[Renegade]

Yeah i used to like LJ as well....liked him even more after the trade for Mase. Never really did anything after that deal while Anthony tore it up

 

[Portmagpies]

Seems like only yesterday everybody was predicting a Charlotte v Orlando rivalry to dominate the league.