May 31, 2011 – Kevin Burke

Memorial Day has a different meaning to different people. For most, it’s the unofficial start of summer and to basketball fans it’s around the time the Finals begin. But for Captain Morgan, it means making sure people enjoy their long weekend.

Captain Morgan teamed up with former Knick, Larry Johnson, to host a party for some of his close friends in New York to kick off summer right with Captain Morgan Long Island Iced Tea. Right before his Memorial Day weekend began, The Hoop Doctors had the chance to chat with LJ.

Kevin Burke: What’s going on, Larry? Kevin Burke from The Hoop Doctors here. How are you doing these days?

Larry Johnson: Hey, what’s up Kevin. I’m doing just fine, man.

Kevin Burke: So, Larry. Obviously it’s playoff time in the NBA, and if you say “NBA playoffs” and “Larry Johnson” in the same sentence, it’s impossible for any self-respecting NBA fan not to think of your 4-point play against the Pacers in the playoffs. Does that play come to mind during playoff time?

Larry Johnson: Man, I don’t even need it to be playoff time for me to remember that play. I think about it all the time. That play is etched in stone in my memory. That was a great moment in my career. I had my four sons at that game and it’s something I’ll always remember. Whenever I’m back in New York, it especially comes to mind.

Kevin Burke: I sometimes consider the NBA playoffs a coming out party, just as how the NCAA tournament can be viewed as a job interview. Has any player surprised you during this playoff season?

Larry Johnson: I wouldn’t necessarily say that any player surprised me in particular but I loved watching what Memphis and Zach Randolph did. It kind of was a coming out party for him. When he played for [the Knicks], he was a good player then too, but like you said, the playoffs are on a much bigger stage. All of the games are nationally televised and sometimes you only have one or two games a day which forces everyone to watch and it gives them the opportunity to shine.

Kevin Burke: Many people like to compare Blake Griffin to you early on in your career. Do you think that’s an accurate comparison?

Larry Johnson: Man, Blake has taken it above and beyond. But he’s like me before I had my back issues. I would attack to rim and look at the guy like “don’t you jump.” Man, I was trying to tomahawk everything when I was young. Blake is the same way because he looks at guys like “jump if you want to.” But he’s taller than I am which allows him to do different things. But, I’d love to work with him one summer because he has taken it to a new level. But I also see similarities in [DeJuan] Blair in San Antonio because he uses his bulk like I did. And a younger [Elton] Brand too.

Kevin Burke: Can you still dunk?

Larry Johnson: Oh, yeah. I still try to keep myself in shape and I play with my sons all the time which helps keep my weight down. But yeah, I can still get up.

Kevin Burke: At the end of the day, and if you had to chose just one, do you consider yourself a Hornet or a Knick?

Larry Johnson: Man, I’m definitely a Knick for sure.

Kevin Burke: Really? You’re not just saying that because you’re in New York right now are you?

Larry Johnson: (Laughs) No, not at all. I enjoyed my time in New York much more. I didn’t really care much for ownership in Charlotte. They had a better handle on that in New York when I was there.

Kevin Burke: I follow the Knicks closely and often times see you sitting courtside, so you seem very visible. How involved are you with the team still?

Larry Johnson: Well, I mainly get involved in some PR related things, but that’s pretty much it. I don’t have an official title or anything but I do pay attention to what they’ve been doing.

Kevin Burke: So then what do you think about their Amar’e, Carmelo and Chauncey additions? How far away do you think they are from being serious contenders?

Larry Johnson: Those three guys are still very much brand new. They need time to gel and develop chemistry, which will come in time. I love Amar’e and ‘Melo, and I love Chauncey too, but he’s not getting any younger. I think they need a younger Point Guard in order to get them over the hump. They’ll continue to make the playoffs but if they can get a Chris Paul or a Deron Williams, I think they can win it all in about 2 to 3 years. The hardest part about the playoffs is getting past the first round. If they can do that then it’s anyone’s ballgame.

Kevin Burke: Let me go back to your college days for a second. A few months ago, the “Fab Five” documentary came out and personally, I always think of your UNLV team when I think of Michigan’s Fab Five because it was the same era. What did you think of Jalen Rose’s comments regarding Duke. Did you agree with him?

Larry Johnson: Absolutely, man. You just didn’t say anything at the time. I respect Jalen for speaking his mind. We had nothing but inner city dudes on that squad. You see how I had the gold tooth and everything. We played Duke for the National Championship one year and the papers read “good vs. evil” and “thugs vs. the good guys” and things like that. That type of stuff made you hate Duke even more.

Kevin Burke: Do you still feel that way today about Duke?

Larry Johnson: No, not at all. I have no problems with Duke. I like Grant Hill alot. I think he’s a good guy.

Kevin Burke: What’s your relationship like with Alonzo Mourning these days?

Larry Johnson: I mean, we ain’t boys. We ain’t homies or anything like that but if we see each other, we’ll stop and speak. Man, I’m 42 years old. I don’t have time to hold grudges with another grown man. I don’t have time for all of that. And we’ve each been through alot. I had my back issues. He had his kidney issues, so there’s no time for any real grudge.

Kevin Burke: Who’s going to win the NBA Championship this year?

Larry Johnson: Miami. They’re playing very well. And you have to give them credit because they took alot of heat this year and have made it this far.

Kevin Burke: Do you think the heat they received was warranted?

Larry Johnson: No, I think it was definitely over the top. Some people got carried away. You had guys like Charles Barkley go on and on about it forever. He even called LeBron a punk for going to Miami. I did a radio interview not long after LeBron made his decision and I killed Barkley. He’s a hypocrite. How can he criticize LeBron for doing that when he went to Houston to play with [Hakeen] Olajuwon and [Clyde] Drexler and those guys? That doesn’t make any sense. He did the same thing LeBron did but made LeBron’s decision out to be a big deal.

Kevin Burke: I completely agree with you and actually said the same thing when I heard Barkley’s comments. Lastly, LJ. Please tell me people don’t still call you Grandmama.

Larry Johnson: (Laughs) Man, all the time. I was in the grocery store the other day and there was a lady and her son. The mother recognized me and said to her son “who’s that?”. He didn’t know but when she said Grandmama, he said “Oh, Larry Johnson.” I thought that was funny.

Kevin Burke: Do you mind still being called that all these years later?

Larry Johnson: No, not at all. I’m definitely cool with it. I don’t mind it at all.

Kevin Burke: Ok, Larry. I’ll continue to look out for you at Knicks games and best of luck with everything.

Larry Johnson: I appreciate it. Take care.

If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook