Kevin Johnson - A Force

[wazzup101fly]

240 p...

[tellthetruthg]

I saw KJ at Harmon against UCLA he did some incredible things with the ball. Don't care much for what if's but if Nash at his best played against KJ at his I think KJ wins those match up's

[chart3]

Great choice of song for these highlights. Miss them both... :(

[Alexao67]

@Isatep rondo

[lsatep]

The only knock on KJ, he did not shoot the 3-ball. How can a guard not shoot for 3, never understood it

[DeathMetalforever]

@lsatep If you do not understand that then you have never played basketball in your life.

Today's point guards cannot hold Kevin Johnson's jocks.

[catsailordude]

@lsatep Most point guards of that era didn't shoot the 3-ball much, prefering to drive and dish or drive and score or drive and get fouled. Kevin Johnson was like Chris Paul with a bit of Wade thrown in. He was a great mid-range jump shooter and the Sun had lots of guys on their team that could hit the deep three. And KJ did develop a good 3 point shot later in his career, going 89 for 202 (44%) in 1997. He is probably the most under-rated point guard of all time.

[ChandlerPol]

@lsatep One needs to remember historical context and not confuse issues of will for those of skill.

First, when KJ entered the NBA in 1987, the three-pointer constituted a specialty shot usually attempted by only a few select marksmen such as Byron Scott and Michael Cooper on the Lakers, Danny Ainge on the Celtics, and Dale Ellis on the Sonics. Magic Johnson shot very few threes for LA and the same was true of Dennis Johnson in Boston, but both are Hall of Fame point guards.

[ChandlerPol]

@lsatep In fact, the NCAA didn't even adopt the three-point shot nationwide until KJ's senior season in college, '86-'87. Magic Johnson attempted very few three-pointers in the eighties, nor did Michael Jordan feature the shot for much of his career. Part of the reason why his 6 treys in the first half of Game One of the 1992 NBA Finals proved so shocking was because Jordan had rarely constituted a three-point shooter to that juncture.

[ChandlerPol]

@lsatep Then combine that context with the reality that KJ represented an efficient point guard who possessed so many other offensive weapons of his own and multiple three-point shooters on his team, such as Eddie Johnson, Jeff Hornacek, and Dan Majerle (and later Danny Ainge). Even Phoenix big men Tom Chambers and Ed Nealy could shoot threes, so little motivation existed for KJ to also launch treys.

[ChandlerPol]

@lsatep But when he wanted to do so and looked for the shot (as opposed to full-court or half-court heaves at the end of a quarter or an attempt to beat the shot clock), he proved capable of hitting a three. For instance, even though he'd shot just 2-22 on threes in the '88-'89 regular season, KJ shot 2-3 from downtown in the 1989 Western Conference Finals against the Lakers. In the 1992 Western Conference Semifinals against Portland, KJ shot 3-5 on threes (3-6 in the overall 1992 playoffs).

[ChandlerPol]

In the ’94-’95 regular season, he shot just 4-26 on threes, but in the 1995 Western Conference Semifinals versus Houston, KJ shot 5-10 on treys. Then over the next two regular seasons, '95-'96 and '96-'97, KJ shot a combined .425 (110-259) from downtown. In '96-'97, he shot .441 on threes (2.9 FGA per game), third-best in the NBA behind only Glen Rice and Steve Kerr (and directly ahead of Joe Dumars, Mitch Richmond, Reggie Miller, and Dell Curry).

[ChandlerPol]

@lsatep In '96-'97, KJ became the first player in league history to rank in the top-three in both assists per game (9.3) and three-point field goal percentage (.441) in the same season. Since then, John Stockton ('00-'01) and Steve Nash ('06-'07 and '07-'08) have joined him.

[jan279]

THE MAYOR! =)))

[kingcity916]

KJ:

the predecessor to all the athletic pointgaurds today.

the original d-rose

[ChandlerPol]

@kingcity916 ... Rose-type athleticism, but KJ was a truer floor general with far superior court awareness and passing ability, plus better shooting skill.

[02Stratus]

@VeoGear Absolutely. Like Aaliyah's cover of the Isley Brothers tune, KJ's game has a true grace that underlies his grittiness. Sadly much like Aaliyah, his time doing what brought such joy to many was painfully short and cut off so abruptly. At Kevin's best, you can see the joy and "love" of the spiritual triumphs of the little man in what can often be considered the "size wins all" game of basketball. This is a beautiful mix hands down.

[HymanKaplan]

Bill Simmons in The Book of Basketball: Had KJ peaked post-2004—when they started whistling hand check fouls, stopped whistling moving screens and made it so much easier for guards toget into the paint—he would have averaged a 30–15 and beaten out Steve Nash for consecutive MVPs.

[DirtyFaceCapon3]

Personally, i think KJ had the most beautiful handle of all time.He was dynamic with either hand.His handle was effortlessly text book & graceful.

The song and the video made me feel nostalgic.I remember both from my childhood.Took me back to some very happy times in my life

[Loudmouf84]

Born & raised in SACRAMENTO!!! 916 all day!! We love you KJ

[TheBdavis231]

KJ should be in the hall of fame. He was better than Derrick Rose, Chris Paul and Steve Nash

[emmettk]

He's probably even underrated among Phoenix point guards- Neither Steve Nash or Jason Kidd ever averaged 20 & 10 in a season (or 19 & 9 for their career). The only knock on KJ was he couldn't stay healthy long enough to be considered an all-time great.

[ChandlerPol]

@emmettk Yes, KJ unfortunately played with an undiagnosed hernia for four years.

[westdivision5]

Most underrated player of all time

[TheJamel1978]

Please tell me the seven dudes that disliked this video just wanted to do that to make it 7 because that was his jersey number. Cause this cat could ball. He was the unguardable one.

[GunGemini]

i still have have RUN AND SLAM shoe from 93

[kilagon10]

You have Kevin Johnson's lips...LOL

[McFlyYouSlacker]

Um whats with the romantic music on this video? I think you like Kevin Johnson a little too much there..........

[chorie69]

KJ the is the real superman

[uniquetrust]

and now he is a mayor of sacramento california, that's awesome

[dogs4life]

my fave player! Loved KJ! based my own game on him!

[getdat1000]

VERY UNDERATED !!!!!!!

[UnknownArtistX]

wtf is up with the music?!?

[e84fresh]

i used to enjoying watching Kevin Johnson. When he got into the lane he used to be so damn explosive.

[allLblue]

by the way...they both wear #7~

[allLblue]

lol...Wikipedia says that Miyagi Ryota, this character is design by the thought from Kevin Johnson. I doubted about that...cause at that time I was too little to watch Kevin's game. But now I saw his hair style and the way he played, I know it's true!~

[shingbabytea]

no worries phoenix fans they've found nash the modern k.jonhson...

[WeAndWeR1]

@shingbabytea I've never seen Nash dunk on guys like KJ did. In fact I've never seen Nash dunk. Best Nash stick to passing.

[inspiredathlete]

kevin johnson is a REAL nba star

[yuuu2uwbe]

I miss those old suns team. before barkley by the way

[timbosforporn]

KJ was overrated. Never played a single day with Barkley simply because he couldn't handle playing second fiddle to him.

[radigity]

@timbosforporn you have no clue! Kevin was underrated by far. Played in the late 80's early 90's for a western team where most eastern fans didnt see his true play! Kevin is one of maybe 2 players EVER to average 20 pts 10 asst in 4 seasons over their careers. Second fiddle?? Johnson played behind Tom Chambers before Barkley came.

[WeAndWeR1]

@radigity Yep, and he dunked big time on some big guys too, even Eaton and Olajuwon

[joekiddlouischama]

@timbosforporn Dude, what the hell are you talking about? I'd recommend checking yourself into a mental asylum.

K.J. did most of the adjusting to Barkley and did so professionally, resulting in an NBA Finals appearance in 1993. If Barkley had been more willing to adjust, the Suns might have won some championships.

[GrapeSwish87]

Truly a player ahead of his time.  Looks like CP3 but back in the 80's and 90's. So much passion and fire he brought to the court every night. If injuries hadn't gotten the best of him, we would be talking him as one of the greatest points to ever play the game. Hell, he is almost there with the injuries.

[glinxz]

thanks for the song ass hole. flamer you are.

[paboskov]

KJ is such an underrated PG. Does anyone know the name of this song??

[ChiefWisdom]

At your best, by Aaliyah

[workerman]

Nash or KJ? KJ! it's not even close! 93 finals Jordan torched Majerle the first 2 games. Had him dancing like a puppet. Then they switched KJ on Jordan. Jordan shot jumpers the rest of the series. Try that with Nash. Or try topping KJ & Jeff Hornacek bouncing the Magic Lead Lakers out of the playoffs they year after the Lakers were in the finals. KJ was in the finals, one Paxon 3 away from game 7 at home. Who was the starting Point when Nash was first in Phoenix? Never saw playing time!

[tbspatriot]

so true so true, never even thought about that

[omhat]

hornacek was lights out from the free throw line, awesome from 3pt line, almost automatic, nash has speed, but if hornacek was that good, suns would have not acquired barkley, barkley hates the suns, he said on a tnt broadcast in 2001 that they treated majerle and him like crap for what most suns teams could never do, take them to a finals in only barkleys first year he took them to the championship, it was too sweet, best record, almost eliminated in the first round and defied most odds.

[joekiddlouischama]

@omhat Just because the Suns traded Majerle and Barkley doesn't mean that Phoenix "treated them like crap." Majerle nearly returned to the Suns one year after his trade, in 1996, but Phoenix couldn't make a competitive offer due to salary cap reasons.

As for Barkley, the Suns treated him like royalty, basically allowing him his own sets of rules.

[joekiddlouischama]

@workerman ... yeah, there's no way that you could switch Nash onto Jordan.

[robbinsillinois]

sick video dawg kj was is as ever

[thekid09406]

Kevin Johnson's high top fade should be kept at the Smithsonian as a national treasure. A true thing of beauty! Shorty-wop could get up! Love the music to this video BTW, classic.

[omhat]

KJ is awesome in those old school jersey, its funny how when Barkley joined them in 1992, they changed the look. My dad said Charles Barkley is a nice guy even though he threw a dude out the window, I received his autograph when my dad worked for the Red Lion Columbia River in Portland, Oregon, he was a 76er, my dad told him you are a role model, its ashame and a crime for KJ and barkley and Majerle to not win a ring, they were like steak, lobster, and new york cheesecake.

[tommyfam]

the mayor of sac town got game!

[goodfellabeats]

KJ will dunk on a big dude in a second!

[omhat]

that was crazy dunking on ojajuwon, i guess he taught vince carter, talk about spud webb and kj with hops. Heres this, Before Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Spud Webb and KJ came into the mix.

[demoncleaner45]

once upon a time before Chris Paul there was Kevin Johnson

[workerman]

@demoncleaner45 Ha, I was just looking at this video thinking Chris Paul is a lot like KJ.

[chart3]

@demoncleaner45 Exactly... and I think I'd take KJ over CP3...

[eloncharlie]

KJ> nash....

[davidsternsux]

Dang right. At least KJ played both sides of the court, not just offense.. and always played big in the playoffs.. unlike Nash.

[omhat]

dont hate on nash, without nash, the mavs or suns would not have had a lot of successes, nash was a little quicker in my books, both are good to be impartial, the best game kj played was 63 minutes in that triple overtime game against the bull where they won 129-121, i just want to cry i miss those fucking days i was 10 and in the 5th grade it sucks to get old, because memories make you cry.

[joekiddlouischama]

@omhat Nash is quick, but K.J. was even quicker. However, he had to deal with hand-checking in his day.

[reggiemillerapimp]

@eloncharlie i agree

[Tha90sKiD]

this boy right here is the reason i got into basketball, grateful he played for my city

[tbspatriot]

Small guy, big heart, wasn't scared of anybody. Great speed, great jump shot, knew when to pass or take the game over, I miss watching him play, even though I was a Bulls fan back in the day, the Suns were awesome to watch because of him. Put this man in the Hall of Fame, along with Dennis Johnson, 2 very underrated players who made the game great.

[omhat]

who do u like kj or steve nash in the 1993 finals, could u imagine amare, charles, joe johnson, marion, nash, how could u handle and manage that talent, because you have majerle, ainge, dumas on that spectrum, not to mention ceballos.

[tbspatriot]

that's a tough call, its hard to decide, steve nash is a better shooter, while kj was the better athlete, you can't gowrong with either

[omhat]

to tbspatriot, i just want to cry, this was my childhood, go on the playgrounds on saturdays, watching nba on nbc, i miss the shawn kemp, gary payton days. kj had hops, kj was better by not that much, steve nash is real quick and intense. hes canadian, his fortay should be hockey, but hes a true baller. could u imagine if shawn marion and amare were on the 93 suns, that was my favorite championship series along with the spurs and pistons in recent times.

[tbspatriot]

man, you are speaking the truth, i was 8 when the '93 finals went down, i had the purple 7 and everything, this is definitely the childhood, back when triple headers were awesome, you didn't miss a single game on sundays, you speaking the truth so good

[tbspatriot]

also, amare and shawn marion with kj is an automatic championship, automatic

[omhat]

@tbspatriot thanks dawg for showing some luv, u know ur basketball, i luv da shawn kemp gary payton wit big smooth sam perkins, vs cb, kj, tom chambers and the whole pack. robert horry was in his rookie year the year the suns went to the finals, nothing beats the early 90s, naughty by nature, public enemy, arrested development, married with children, in living color, old school wwf, bret hart, shawn michaels, sorry man going on a tangent. miss richard dumas, cedric ceballos. thanks man!

[tbspatriot]

no prob man, and you gave me the sunday night lineup on fox lol, thats cool stuff man

[omhat]

yeah, so what, this is my childhood, u had basketball on sunday on nbc, and then at night it was fox to takeover. who and what is your favorite memory of basketball?

[omhat]

whats ur favorite suns moment, i just sometimes cry , its not just the suns winning 63 games but for them to be down 0-2 to la and in a best of 5 where westphal guaranteed series victory, then playing a formidable san antonio team its just crazy willie anderson, david robinson, avery johnson, and then shawn kemp and the glove, with big smooth its not just the suns going to the finals, but how they went there,kevinjohnsongot fouled by horacegrant, hatwasbullshit to have a gr8 series end like that

[tbspatriot]

gotta be the shot barkley hit over robinson in the playoffs

[omhat]

yep it was 99-98, man talk bout big, my dad met barkley 5 times at the red lion columbia river portland, oregon, when my dad was a night auditor, he said he loved the atmosphere in portland. barkley believe it or not for the star he was is down to earth, and is gentle my friend in room service got a 5 dollar tip for serving him a cheeseburger, milkshake, and two budweisers.

[joekiddlouischama]

@tbspatriot I agree, Nash is a better jump-shooter (especially from long range), while K.J. was more explosive, better at reaching the foul line, and a far superior defender.

[rash33d43]

KJ is too fuckin Saucy

[tharealest62qb]

my favorite pg of alltime...most underrated player of alltime..him an robert pack was the only little guys dunking on big dudes all the time in the 90's.

if it wasn't for that 1 season he played for phoenix cuz they needed a pg his career average would of been a double double...

[SuperDancingmachine]

soon as i saw this 1st time i bought some shoes cost over 100 dollars KJ BAYBEE

[TheRatedIX7]

Kevin Johnson is now the Mayor of Sacramento. That's cool

[rotishack]

this cat was a killer... loved those mid 90's phoenix teams w/ marjerle, charles, dumas, etc... the memories of sunday afternoons

[Klinickal]

Man this guy was something.

[berrysanders123]

KJ IS MY FAVORITE PLAYER OF ALL TIME

[Bess2k2]

me 2

[JohnMadness]

hey whats da name of the song? . . . . its very niiicceee :)

[ninja3189]

aaliyah at your best

[02Stratus]

The song is "At Your Best"(You Are Love), which is covered here by Aaliyah. The original version was done by The Isley Brothers. It really compliments KJ well, doesn't it?

[mikebibbyhighlight]

Mayor Johnson is Sactown's Finest

[adioguy99x]

My Favorite Basketball Player of all time

[WuRaider67]

I was born and raised in Los Angeles but this dude is the reason why I became a NBA and Suns Fan.

[sm0keyftw]

he the now the mayor for my city =]

[DjStinkles]

me too =]]]

[leavearizona]

kool video song made it seem like he passed away lol

[leavearizona]

k j is my hero

[PatheticTeen]

me too

[SFFOOL76]

What a baller, gotta say KJ was a bad ass. At least he played for Phoenix about 10 years or so.

[michaeljbethancourt]

The most "electric", incredible basketball player I have ever had the pleasure of watching. We had season tickets from 1988-1995, and he was no "prime-time-player", the man was 100% all-out all the time, never a dull moment. Basketball hasn't been quite as good since then. Truly a role-model in every way, a hero on and off the court.

Thanks for the memories.

[kingwillie206]

Well he traded injuries for excitement. You can't put a 6 ft body though hell like that and not expect consequences.

[mizeryluvkompany]

kj!! grew up watching him, and still luv how this guy played and lived his life, thx 4 the memories kevin

[chitownmo]

KJ was a great point guard. Would eat up alot of the points in the the League today. Most do not attack the basket the way he did. Double double player.

[TheGoldenSphinx]

KJ was great! To bad he had all those injuries, they really shortend his career.

[igis9]

nice video....whats's the song called?

[mizeryluvkompany]

alliyah- at your best.

[paulp1021]

I don't even think Allen Iverson ever dunk on big men the way K.J. did with regularity. Man, K.J. had springs on his legs.

[paulp1021]

Call him Mr Mayor.

[Juanitotrucupey]

I love how this guy played!

[coronet67]

KJ was so fast. He would either take it in if you blinked or the perfect pass for the score. Either way was equally deadly. There were few point guards that could match up with him on defense or offense.

[Dumpski9]

Who's your mayor Sacramento!

[yellabee]

yeah, KJ was the best!point guards just are'nt the same anymore.Chris paul is about the best one going around at the moment.Love that crossover!!!!!!!

[goldseraph79]

Dope video man, KJ was my favorite as a kid, this brings back memories!

[GKECU]

yep

[bajjsweiser1127]

a version of CP3

[icemanpnoi]

i think kj came in the game first so therefore cp3 is the version of kj.

[wuyingren]

I need this song Veo. It can soothe me after I lose a game, another great mix.

[DudeRoss72]

Man, KJ was my favorite player of all time. His game was so all round and he had a killer inside hime. Once he went for a defenders jugular that was it. CP3 is an over hyped KJ! KJ did it better and agaist better competion for a longer period! Period!

[jonQuest82]

Mahmoud had him rocked on that cross. He should have pulled in his grill right there. KJ was too quick and picked his ass.

[lfkk]

Kevin Johnson is badass

[Tinunu9]

my favorite player ever his numbers for a 3 year period in da 90s is what chris paul did this year but kevin plaed in a time where he would never be a mvp candidate

[SOCOMJ3SUS]

I grew up in Phoenix watching KJ and the Suns. He was a great point guard, and would have been in the HOF if not for injuries. PS- I was honestly at the game he dunked on Olajuwon. I was 12 years old.

[abctyler]

Wow you were one of the lucky people in the arena to witness one of the NBA's Greatest moments.... I wasnt even old enough to understand what NBA was at this time.... Im 14 yrs old... and yes KJ was very underated and my Uncle had modled his game after him... man KJ was the S***

[riaria78]

More KJ!

[DTownHustla]

Great vid. KJ was a bad boy and very underrated.

[DunkerHipHop360]

i love this phoenix suns with KJ, Chambers and of course barkley, thanks for this vid and the vids of chambers. 5 stars

[araynova]

Nice vid bro. Great description. And like the music, fit the vid perfectly.

[therealbruceblitz]

Great video! Even greater description! 5* added to favorites!

[VeoShock]

Thanks bro.