Episode 301 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the hardwood discussing one of the NBA’s most exciting players of the 1990s, Larry Johnson.

After an incredible high school career in Dallas, many believed Johnson was headed towards a superstar career at SMU. However, controversy regarding his SAT scores caused Johnson to enroll at Odessa College for his first two post-high school seasons.

Johnson dominated the competition, and was the first player to ever win the NJCAA Player of the Year award twice! He then enrolled at UNLV and spent the next two seasons dominating the highest level of college basketball. In 1989-1990, he helped the Runnin’ Rebels win the NCAA Title. In 1990-1991, Johnson won the Wooden & Naismith Awards and led his team to the Final Four.

Blessed with an amazing combination of size, strength, agility and shooting ability, Johnson selected as the 1st Overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.

Johnson won the 1991-1992 NBA Rookie of the Year award, made the All-Star team in two of the next three seasons, helped establish the Hornets as a contender in the Eastern Conference and won a gold medal as part of “The Dream Team II” at the FIBA World Cup. He even popularized himself with his advertisements for Converse which featured him as “Grandmama!”

Sadly, a back injury sustained during the 1993-1994 season limited Johnson through the rest of his career. Though he still was able to play at a high level as both a Small and Power Forward, he was not as dominant as he was projected to be after his first two seasons. In addition, a fallout with Alonzo Mourning and Charlotte led to his trade to the New York Knicks in 1996.

Despite the injury and falling out with Charlotte, Johnson improved his outside game and even helped the Knicks make the NBA Finals in 1999.

Watch, Subscribe & Comment on All Platforms:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-sports-experience-podcast-with-chris-quinn/id1529622054

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1esgBLz04MZYrTgYMk5Dva

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn:

https://www.instagram.com/cquinncomedy/

Dominic DiTolla:

https://www.instagram.com/ditolladominic/

Ty Engle:

https://www.instagram.com/ty_englestudio/

S.E.P.:

https://www.instagram.com/thesportsexperiencepodcast/

If you enjoy our podcast, please help support us:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sports-experience-pod/support

#sportspodcast

#comedypodcast

#nba

#basketball

#unlvrunninrebels

#charlottehornets

#newyorkknicks