Vinnie Johnson on never becoming a full-time starter: "It's kind of tough never getting that opportunity"

Vinnie Johnson was drafted 7th overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics out of Baylor. However, the Sonics had one of the best backcourt tandems in the league at that time, with Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson. They also had Downtown Freddie Brown coming off the bench, so Vinnie didn't get plenty of opportunities.

"I've been the underdog most of my career and most of my life," Johnson said . "I've been told I'm too short, that I can't play defense. It just seems like I've never gotten the respect other guys get."

Vinnie always played with elite backcourt tandems

Vinnie was traded to the Detroit Pistons in 1981 and got his break when he started 51 out of 82 games during the 1982-83 campaign. Despite averaging a career-high 15.8 PPG that season, Johnson was moved back to the bench during the 1983-84 campaign in favor of the 6-foot-5 John Long.

The Pistons drafted Joe Dumars in 1985, essentially ending Vinnie's dream to start for the team. Dumars and Isiah Thomas would develop into one of the best backcourt tandems ever, preventing Johnson from getting the opportunity to start.

”I've never had a chance to be a starter," added Johnson. "I think that has hurt my overall performance as an NBA player. I'll always be known as a sixth man. I know I'm good enough to be a starter. It's kind of tough never getting that opportunity.”

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The birth of the Microwave

Vinnie eventually settled down as the Pistons' Sixth Man. And after Danny Ainge gave him the monicker 'The Microwave' in 1984, Johnson burst into superstardom as the Bad Boys' main offensive producer off the bench.

During the 1986-87 season, VJ nearly matched his career high in points at 15.7 per game while also contributing 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game as a reserve. He would finish second behind Rickey Pierce in the Sixth Man of the Year balloting.

Although the 6-foot-2 guard never received individual awards or accolades, he will always be remembered for sinking the championship-winning shot against Portland in the 1990 NBA Finals.

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