Once again, big thanks to Zach for submitting material, and good material at that. Zach sent me this article a couple of days ago. I'm putting this article in today because it's Game 2 of the Blazers/Suns series, and I am looking forward to focusing on the game tonight. Besides, Zach's got a talent for writing and his work is always a welcome addition to the site.
Larry Johnson: A retrospective
Two things come to mind when I think about former UNLV legend and NBA forward Larry Johnson- the 1996 movie Space Jam and his guest spot on the early 1990’s sitcom Family Matters. Johnson was a budding star in my formative years, but thanks to my parents’ aversion to cable television, I saw him make more appearances on TGIF than I did on the basketball court. Since I’m too young to provide an adequate breakdown of Johnson’s game, allow me to instead recap the 1993 Family Matters episode “Grandmama.”
Steve Urkel asks Eddie Winslow to be his teammate in a local 2-on-2 basketball tournament. Reluctant to partner with the notoriously clumsy nerd, Eddie agrees to participate only when it is revealed that the tournament’s winner will receive a full set of Chicago Bulls season tickets. However, while in line to register for the contest, Eddie decides to team up with high school star Kenny “The Spider” Jackson. This leaves Steve without a teammate and disheartened by his friend’s abandonment.
While Steve is confessing his disappointment to Eddie’s grandmother, Ethel, it is revealed that one of Ethel’s good friends is an accomplished basketball player. Steve seeks out the help of the towering pensioner, who agrees to play with him in the tournament (enter Johnson as his Converse alter ego, Grandmama). When the pair arrives at the competition, they are ridiculed by the other participants for their seemingly unathletic appearance. However, Grandmama surprises everyone with moves that would please a NBA coach. Even Steve demonstrates that he is capable of hitting an open jump shot.
In the championship game, Steve and Grandmama narrowly defeat Eddie and The Spider. Eddie is not only upset that he has lost the tournament, but also he is disappointed in himself for letting Steve down in the first place. He graciously congratulates Steve on his victory and leaves the court. Sensing his friend’s sincerity, Steve returns to the Winslow home and offers Eddie one of two Chicago Bulls seasons ticket packages. Eddie is overjoyed by Steve’s kindness, but Steve downplays the gesture by explaining that Grandmama is a fan of the Charlotte Hornets.
In a previous contribution to The Basketball Card Blog, I noted that I had bought a lot of 400 Charlotte Hornets cards on eBay for only $2.79 (shipping included). Originally, I had bought the lot with the intention of mining for one of my favorite basketball players- Tony Bennett. However, the lot also included 145 Larry Johnson cards from his five seasons in Charlotte. Here are the highlights:
1991-1992 SkyBox # 513 RC
Larry Johnson was drafted #1 overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1991 … apparently just before solid color shirts were invented
1993-1994 SkyBox Premium #4
In this tribute to the 1993 NBA Playoffs, 16 players appear in clear sight over a blurred television screen
1993-1994 SkyBox International #7
Johnson averaged 6.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for the JV team at the 1994 World Championships in Toronto.
1993-1994 Topps Stadium Club #323
(reverse)
What would today’s sports statisticians say about the “Topps Skills Rating System”? I give it a 2.3 for creativity.
Again, thanks to Zach for the material. It made my job easier and my site better today.
3 comments:
Who came first, Grandmama the TV star or Grandmama the advertisement? Either way, she was a beast.
It's odd to look back on that. A sports star making his mark by cross-dressing as an old lady. I just can't imagine any star today cross-dressing - not even in jest.
And Larry Johnson always looked like he was 35. Even as a rookie.
One of my Fav players to collect. Great post, lots O' Fun to read!!!!
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