A Tribute to NBA Legend "Honeycomb" Gus Johnson

Born: December 13, 1938 in Akron, OH
Height: 6-6 Weight: 230lbs.
College: University of Idaho
Drafted by: Baltimore Bullets, 1963
Nickname: Honeycomb

Gus Johnson, one of only four players in Wizards franchise history to have his jersey retired, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2010. Johnson, a native of Akron, Ohio was a devastating force at the power forward position. Johnson's ability to score, pass and rebound made the Baltimore Bullets a perennial title contender from the mid 1960s to the early 1970s. Johnson, who entered the league following one year at University of Idaho in 1963, spent nine of his 11 pro seasons with the Bullets. Nicknamed "Honeycomb" for his sweet play. With Johnson on the roster, the Bullets reached the playoffs six times and advanced to the NBA Finals in 1970-71 (4-0 loss to Milwaukee). Statistically, Johnson averaged a double-double (17.1 ppg and 12.7 rpg) in 581 career NBA games. He played with greats such as NBA Legends Earl "the Pearl" Monroe and Wes Unseld. The Washington Bullets retired his jersey number 25 in 1986. On April 29, 1987, Johnson passed away after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

Honors
Five-time NBA All-Star (1965, '68, '69, '70, '71)
Four-time All-NBA Second Team (1965, '66, '70, '71)
Two-time All-Defensive First Team (1970, '71)
1964 NBA All-Rookie Team

Franchise Records for the Washington Wizards
6th all-time in games played - 561
5th all-time in points- 9,781
3rd all-time in minutes played- 19,723
4th all-time in field goals made- 4,057
3rd all-time in rebounds - 7,243
3rd all time in rebounding average - 12.9

Earl "the Pearl" Monroe
"Gus was ahead of his time, flying through the air for slam dunks, breaking backboards and throwing full-court passes behind his back. He was spectacular, but he also did the nitty gritty jobs, defense and rebounding. With all the guys in the Hall of Fame, Gus deserves to be there already."

Abe Pollin
"I first saw Gus on television...I had never seen a player dominate a game so. Gus was the Dr. J of his time and anyone that ever had the privilege to see him play will never forget what a great basketball player Gus Johnson was."

Dave DeBusschere
''Gus was probably one of the roughest players I have ever played against. He was not a dirty player. He was one of the most tenacious competitors ever to play the game.''

Source(s): http://www.nba.com/wizards/history/gusjohnsonhistorypage.html
http://www.nba.com/wizards

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• gus
• johnson
• honeycomb
• tribute
• washington
• baltimore
• bullets
• wizards
• hall
• of
• fame
• 2010
• naismith
• dunk
• highlights
• reel
• nba
• wes
• unseld
• earl
• the
• pearl
• monroe
• stats
• honors
• bio
• quotes
• abe
• pollin
• rare
• hq
• high
• quality
• legend
• photos
• jerseys
• multi
• colored
• all
• star
• franchise
• records
• source
• wizardsdotcom
• Dave
• DeBusschere
• willis
• reed
• jerry
• west
• new
• york
• knicks
• la
• lakers
• banner
• verizon
• center
• retired
• temptations
• get
• ready
• classic
• mo
• town
• champions
• indiana
• pacers

[MrBennetzen]

He also leads the league in shattered backboards with 3.

[superbro75]

We NBA fans must keep Gus "Honeycomb" Johnson's legacy alive,most fans under 30 years old have no idea who, and what this man represented in the NBA.His relentless approach to offense and defense has been barely matched by any NBA player,past or present.I found out about "Honeycomb" through highlights and never stopped inquiring about his life,his game was relentless and he had a personality swagger to match.I am happy for his family that he was inducted to the H.O.F it was long overdue.

[Senecart81]

Gus could don some amazing things, the only player I've seen do a behind the back full court pass to a player on the run.

[superbro75]

P.S.My slam dunk video say's "all demolition dunkers must pay final homage,to the man they call Chocolate thunder"which was Darryl Dawkins,but little do most NBA fans know,that Gus "Honeycomb"Johnson shattered 3 backboards in his career before Darryl Dawkins was even grown or playing,the NBA did not have reel footage of this,but every legend who played against him can confirm this to be true,and with a quiet disposition in NBA history,Gus was one of the top 5 all around players ever.

[Senecart81]

I saw him knock himself out at a basketball game, he hit his head on the backboard at Franklin and Marshall College in a preseason game. This video is great , but doesn't quite show him at his best, knee injuries slowed him down. When his knees were good he could fly with the best of them.

[Ariamaluum]

He was Charles Barkley before but Gus had better variety jump moves ala Elgin Baylor but with power. He could also play the point like LeBron and Charles at times. Take small guys inside and big guys outside. He only stood 6'5 or 6'4. But his lifestyle really killed his career because pound for pound, he was the best player on the court.

[emmettk]

Gus was one of the early above-the rim guys. I remember his duels with Dave DeBusschere when the Knicks and Bullets rivalry was hot.

[peetie44]

One of the few NBA players (Elvin Hayes is the only other one I can recall offhand) who usually shot a turnaround jumper leading with his exposed shooting hand while turning into his opponent. And few opponents ever blocked his shot or stripped the ball. That's how strong Gus was.

[2hands2make3some]

My parents were college administrators at kent state university when Gus became an assistant coach for the Golden flashes.

I was a team ball boy. Gus mentored,befriended and straightened out this one time punk ass 12 year old.