photo: garbagepoints.blogspot.com

Before he became everyone’s favorite Grandmama, Larry Johnson was a straight up MONSTER - a remarkable talent and imposing force on every court that he stepped on. LJ was quite possibly the most dominant two-year player in NCAA history. Remember the 22 point, 11 rebound utter annihilation of Laettner and Alaa Abdelnaby of Duke in UNLV’s 103-73, ‘90 NCAA title game victory?

How about the poetry of that Runnin’ Rebel crew with his co-conspirators Greg Anthony, Anderson Hunt, Stacey Augmon, etc? LJ, a two-time first team All-American, copped the prestigious Wooden and Naismith awards as the college game’s top dog. Prior to that, he was the junior college player of the year two years in a row at Odessa (Texas) Junior College.

LJ got his start on the playgrounds of the Dixon Circle housing projects in Dallas. His moms could peer out of apartment 204 and see him on the courts - morning, afternoon and night. He’d be out there at 3 in the morning, going one-on-one with his best friend. Despite the drugs, guns, violence and negativity, the playground was his oasis, a refuge that put him on a trajectory toward life’s positive path, accomplishment and wealth. The outdoor game, where Johnson (a former P.A.L. boxer) honed his craft and utilized his knuckle game at least once a week, prepared him for his physical domination at every level.

photo: checkoutmycards.com

At Dixon Cirlce, the Redbird Rec Center and Green Bay Park, he was known as “The Marshal.” He actually ripped a basket off one of the neighborhood backboards during one particularly authoritative dunk, a feat that is still talked about today.

While friends and acquaintances fell victim to the crack epidemic around him, LJ insulated himself with playground ball before killing it at Skyline HS. He started every game for four years. In his debut as a freshman nicknamed “Baby”, he scored 17 points in the first half. By soph year, they called him “Baby-Man.” Junior year, it was simply “Man” and as a senior, he was the top ranked player in the country.

As a pro, Grandmama (the #1 pick in ‘91) - along with Alonzo Mourning, Muggsy Bogues, Kendall Gill and Dell Curry - lit the city of Charlotte on fire. The explosiveness of his first two seasons, where he averaged over 20 pts and 10 re’s per, became compromised later when foot and back injuries took their toll.

photo: viewimages.com

But by the time he suited up for the Knicks, he’d remodeled himself into a very good outside shooter and endeared himself to NYC, even though his numbers dipped, with his tenaciousness and leadership on the crew that made the finals in ‘99 with Spree, Alan Houston, the Camby man, Charlie Ward, etc. The 4-point play in the closing seconds of the Conference Finals game against the Pacers sealed his legacy in the 5 Boroughs.

photo: si.com

Last year, LJ went back to UNLV and completed the requirements for his Bachelor’s Degree. From the worst streets of Dallas to Team USA gold medalist, from Dixon Circle to NBA All-Star, from street fighter to the beloved Grandmama, it was the playground that made it all possible.

THE PLAYGROUND IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT IS THE SOLUTION!