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L.J. might be back as Knick employee
When Larry Johnson was forced into early retirement six years ago, most of the Knicks' heart and leadership went with him. It is also no coincidencethat the franchise hasn't won a single playoff game since one of its most clutch postseason performers walked away.
If there is such a thing as the "Curse of L.J.," the Knicks may be doing something about it. According to sources, Johnson could be returning tothe Knicks in a still-undefined role. In all likelihood, Johnson will be working for the Knicks part-time in their community relations department along withformer teammate John Starks.
The potential hiring would signal a change for the Isiah Thomas regime, which has been reluctant to embrace the Knicks' past. Patrick Ewing hasexpressed interest in rejoining the club as an assistant coach, but he has never been offered a job. Ewing recently was hired by Orlando, where he spent hisfinal season as a player. Ewing, who will be an assistant coach with the Magic, also has worked as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards and HoustonRockets.
The Knicks currently don't plan to fill the coaching vacancy created by the departure of Phil Ford, who was hired by the Bobcats. And it is unclear ifJohnson will serve as a part-time coach for the Knicks.When the Knicks acquired Johnson in 1996 from the Hornets for Anthony Mason, he came to New York with areputation as being a malcontent. But Johnson quickly became a favorite among coaches, teammates and fans because of his work ethic, his quality of play andfor his noted playoff heroics. Johnson's four-point play against Indiana on June5, 1999 is one of the Garden's greatest moments. The following season,Johnson set up Ewing for the series-clinching dunk against Miami in Game 7 of their second-round series.
Back problems eventually forced Johnson, now 38, to retire in 2001, and he received a $28 million settlement. The player Allan Houston called "thegreatest teammate I ever had" has maintained a good relationship with Garden president Steve Mills, who has been instrumental in trying to bring Johnsonback.
When Larry Johnson was forced into early retirement six years ago, most of the Knicks' heart and leadership went with him. It is also no coincidencethat the franchise hasn't won a single playoff game since one of its most clutch postseason performers walked away.
If there is such a thing as the "Curse of L.J.," the Knicks may be doing something about it. According to sources, Johnson could be returning tothe Knicks in a still-undefined role. In all likelihood, Johnson will be working for the Knicks part-time in their community relations department along withformer teammate John Starks.
The potential hiring would signal a change for the Isiah Thomas regime, which has been reluctant to embrace the Knicks' past. Patrick Ewing hasexpressed interest in rejoining the club as an assistant coach, but he has never been offered a job. Ewing recently was hired by Orlando, where he spent hisfinal season as a player. Ewing, who will be an assistant coach with the Magic, also has worked as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards and HoustonRockets.
The Knicks currently don't plan to fill the coaching vacancy created by the departure of Phil Ford, who was hired by the Bobcats. And it is unclear ifJohnson will serve as a part-time coach for the Knicks.When the Knicks acquired Johnson in 1996 from the Hornets for Anthony Mason, he came to New York with areputation as being a malcontent. But Johnson quickly became a favorite among coaches, teammates and fans because of his work ethic, his quality of play andfor his noted playoff heroics. Johnson's four-point play against Indiana on June5, 1999 is one of the Garden's greatest moments. The following season,Johnson set up Ewing for the series-clinching dunk against Miami in Game 7 of their second-round series.
Back problems eventually forced Johnson, now 38, to retire in 2001, and he received a $28 million settlement. The player Allan Houston called "thegreatest teammate I ever had" has maintained a good relationship with Garden president Steve Mills, who has been instrumental in trying to bring Johnsonback.
