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Pistons Fans Asked, The Microwave Answered
20 Questions With Vinnie Johnson
A great sixth man rarely gets the appreciation he deserves but can be a key contributor that turns ordinary basketball teams into world champions. They come in cold from the bench, are expected to rest the starters and after this must deliver clutch performances. Perhaps, no other player in Detroit Pistons history epitomizes the value of a sixth man better than Vinnie Johnson.
Dave, Madison Heights, MI: Growing up in Brooklyn you played against some playground legends: The Goat, Herman the Helicopter... could you have put together a team with guys from the neighborhood that would have beaten the Bad Boys?
Vinnie Johnson: No, and the reason is that these guys were more “individual” players than “team” players. The Bad Boys were a team and played together that way – that’s why we won.
Sean Carleton, Hawthorne, CA: I was born and raised in the Detroit area and I always wondered how did you feel about being the sixth man? Did that ever bother you? Because I think you could have started for most teams in the NBA at that time. You were an amazing player to watch. You were the whole reason I started playing basketball. Thank you for all the great memories!
Vinnie Johnson: It didn’t bother me at all to come off the bench. I knew I was coming off the bench for a great team and I knew we had the opportunity to win Championships.
Taylor, Rochester Hills, MI: Who first encouraged you to play basketball, and who was your inspiration?
Vinnie Johnson: No one encouraged me to play basketball specifically, I grew up playing all sports. I was a huge New York Knicks fan back in those days. I was a big Earl Monroe fan growing up in high school, and he’s what inspired me to become a professional.
Tim, Birmingham, MI: What was your greatest game ever with the Detroit Pistons?
Vinnie Johnson: Winning the championship in Portland – Game 5, hitting the championship shot.
Glenn, Eaton Rapids: Hey Vinnie. Glad to hear you're being recognized. I was wondering now that you're retired, what you doing with all your time these days?
Vinnie Johnson: I’m in the automotive and office furniture business. That takes up most of my time.
Tom, Portland: In the 1990 NBA Finals, did Chuck Daly specifically draw up the last play for you that clinched the title, or did you just take matters into your own hands? Crazy shot!
Vinnie Johnson: The play was designed for Isiah to have the ball and take the last shot. Joe Dumars was the second option on that play – both of whom were double-teamed. When I got the ball and saw that both Isiah and Joe were covered, and with time running out, I took the shot.
Chris Ebbitt, Livonia, MI: If you could play with any player on today's Pistons who would it be and why?
Vinnie Johnson: Ben Wallace because he fits the mold of a Bad Boy. He has the physical toughness, defensive skills and rebounding abilities.
Tommy D, Chesterfield, MI: Hey Vinnie, thanks for all the years that you had spent here in Detroit. When you had come over from Seattle it was great for the Pistons organization and us fans. My question is, who nicknamed you "The Microwave?" Being old school myself I thought it was Danny Ainge, and what year was that?
Vinnie Johnson: You’re right, it was Danny in 1984. It happened while we were playing the Boston Celtics in the second round. At that time there was a football player by the name of William Perry who they called the Refrigerator… Danny said if you can call William Perry the Fridge, you have to call Vinnie Johnson the Microwave because he heats up in a hurry.
Jesse, Pistons Nation: Vinnie, Who was a tougher cover in practice, Isiah or Joe?
Vinnie Johnson: They both were equally tough to defend. Joe was more physical, while Isiah was more of a finesse player – both created challenges.
Jason Lyle, Bloomfield Hills, MI: What was the Pistons-Celtics rivalry like? What kind of problems did Larry Bird cause us?
Vinnie Johnson: Very intense. It was a great rivalry. Celtics were one of the best teams in the league at that time and to get to the finals we would have to beat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Shanika, Detroit, MI: How hard was it to accept the painful defeat in game seven of the '88 Finals?
Vinnie Johnson: Very heartbreaking and disappointing. We felt like we won that Championship. We came back the next year with the same determination and were able to accomplish our goal of winning the Championship.
Brennan, Saginaw, MI: Which Pistons players did you hang out with the most of the court?
Vinnie Johnson: Rick Mahorn, Bill Laimbeer and James Edwards.
Reggie, Oak Park, MI: First I would like to say I enjoyed my time working for you at Piston Modules. Do you see any current player (Pistons or other) that remains you of how you played and why?
Vinnie Johnson: No, I don’t. I don’t see any team in the league with the great three-guard rotation like we had. I don’t watch all the teams like I used to, I mostly watch the Pistons now.
Carolyn, Windsor, Canada Hey Microwave how are you? I have two quick questions for you. What was going through your mind during your #15 jersey retirement night? What was going through your mind when the Pistons waived you before the 92 season?
Vinnie Johnson: It was a huge honor. The fact that they retired my jersey tells me that I did some great things for the organization.
Dee Jay, Detroit, MI: I know Carmelo wears number 15 because Vince Carter wears number 15; what made you wear that number and what others have you worn?
Vinnie Johnson: Earl Monroe was one of my favorite players and that’s pretty much the only number I’ve ever worn.
Leon Jefferson, Bloomfield Hills, MI: What was the Pistons-Bulls rivalry like? Was it hard to keep Jordan's numbers down?
Vinnie Johnson: It was a very nasty rivalry. A lot of egos were involved there. Neither team liked each other. It was very had to keep Jordan’s numbers down, no question – no one in the league could do it.
Jeff, Big Rapids, MI: Vinnie, watching this Pistons team where would you rank these Pistons in comparison to the Bad Boys?
Vinnie Johnson: I would rank them right up there with the Bad Boys, but in my opinion the Bad Boys were a little more physical and a lot deeper.
David Bollinger, West Bloomfield, MI: Vinnie, how does it fell now that the Pistons are doing so well again? And what are some of the similarities you notice the Bad Boys and the Pistons team over the last three years? (Make some player comparisons)
Vinnie Johnson: I won’t make any player comparisons, but one thing that is very obvious is that both teams play great defense.
Andre Lodree, Chicago, IL: What was the routine you used to prepare for the game and to heat up so fast?
Vinnie Johnson: Really wasn’t a routine, but one thing that I did before each game was make sure that I stretched and warmed up properly.
Mike Priebe, Bay City, MI: Vinnie, My favorite Pistons memory is of your shot to beat the Blazers with 0.07 left. What do you remember about that moment?
Vinnie Johnson: It went in! They still had a chance to get a shot off and my concern was that the game was not over.
Johnson was the unsung hero during the original heyday of the Pistons, teaming up with Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars in the Pistons vaunted three-guard rotation. He scored points in spurts and heated up quickly, earning the moniker the “Microwave”.
The Detroit Pistons will honor Vinnie Johnson, also known as "The Microwave" because he could heat up in a hurry, on Friday, January 27 when they host the Memphis Grizzlies at 8:00 p.m.
The Pistons have planned a halftime ceremony where they will play a video detailing Johnson's life and career. George Blaha, the voice of the Pistons, will introduce Johnson to the crowd and the organization will unveil the permanent 'signage' on the court. Johnson will briefly address the crowd. As part of the week-long celebration, Pistons.com will post "20 Questions with Vinnie" and include questions from the fans.
Pistons fans submitted their questions online and Pistons.com got the answers from Johnson.
Dave, Madison Heights, MI: Growing up in Brooklyn you played against some playground legends: The Goat, Herman the Helicopter... could you have put together a team with guys from the neighborhood that would have beaten the Bad Boys?
Vinnie Johnson: No, and the reason is that these guys were more “individual” players than “team” players. The Bad Boys were a team and played together that way – that’s why we won.
Sean Carleton, Hawthorne, CA: I was born and raised in the Detroit area and I always wondered how did you feel about being the sixth man? Did that ever bother you? Because I think you could have started for most teams in the NBA at that time. You were an amazing player to watch. You were the whole reason I started playing basketball. Thank you for all the great memories!
Vinnie Johnson: It didn’t bother me at all to come off the bench. I knew I was coming off the bench for a great team and I knew we had the opportunity to win Championships.
Taylor, Rochester Hills, MI: Who first encouraged you to play basketball, and who was your inspiration?
Vinnie Johnson: No one encouraged me to play basketball specifically, I grew up playing all sports. I was a huge New York Knicks fan back in those days. I was a big Earl Monroe fan growing up in high school, and he’s what inspired me to become a professional.
Tim, Birmingham, MI: What was your greatest game ever with the Detroit Pistons?
Vinnie Johnson: Winning the championship in Portland – Game 5, hitting the championship shot.
Glenn, Eaton Rapids: Hey Vinnie. Glad to hear you're being recognized. I was wondering now that you're retired, what you doing with all your time these days?
Vinnie Johnson: I’m in the automotive and office furniture business. That takes up most of my time.
Tom, Portland: In the 1990 NBA Finals, did Chuck Daly specifically draw up the last play for you that clinched the title, or did you just take matters into your own hands? Crazy shot!
Vinnie Johnson: The play was designed for Isiah to have the ball and take the last shot. Joe Dumars was the second option on that play – both of whom were double-teamed. When I got the ball and saw that both Isiah and Joe were covered, and with time running out, I took the shot.
Chris Ebbitt, Livonia, MI: If you could play with any player on today's Pistons who would it be and why?
Vinnie Johnson: Ben Wallace because he fits the mold of a Bad Boy. He has the physical toughness, defensive skills and rebounding abilities.
Tommy D, Chesterfield, MI: Hey Vinnie, thanks for all the years that you had spent here in Detroit. When you had come over from Seattle it was great for the Pistons organization and us fans. My question is, who nicknamed you "The Microwave?" Being old school myself I thought it was Danny Ainge, and what year was that?
Vinnie Johnson: You’re right, it was Danny in 1984. It happened while we were playing the Boston Celtics in the second round. At that time there was a football player by the name of William Perry who they called the Refrigerator… Danny said if you can call William Perry the Fridge, you have to call Vinnie Johnson the Microwave because he heats up in a hurry.
Jesse, Pistons Nation: Vinnie, Who was a tougher cover in practice, Isiah or Joe?
Vinnie Johnson: They both were equally tough to defend. Joe was more physical, while Isiah was more of a finesse player – both created challenges.
Jason Lyle, Bloomfield Hills, MI: What was the Pistons-Celtics rivalry like? What kind of problems did Larry Bird cause us?
Vinnie Johnson: Very intense. It was a great rivalry. Celtics were one of the best teams in the league at that time and to get to the finals we would have to beat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Larry Bird created a lot of problems with his abilities and unselfish play.
Shanika, Detroit, MI: How hard was it to accept the painful defeat in game seven of the '88 Finals?
Vinnie Johnson: Very heartbreaking and disappointing. We felt like we won that Championship. We came back the next year with the same determination and were able to accomplish our goal of winning the Championship.
Brennan, Saginaw, MI: Which Pistons players did you hang out with the most of the court?
Vinnie Johnson: Rick Mahorn, Bill Laimbeer and James Edwards.
Reggie, Oak Park, MI: First I would like to say I enjoyed my time working for you at Piston Modules. Do you see any current player (Pistons or other) that remains you of how you played and why?
Vinnie Johnson: No, I don’t. I don’t see any team in the league with the great three-guard rotation like we had. I don’t watch all the teams like I used to, I mostly watch the Pistons now.
Carolyn, Windsor, Canada Hey Microwave how are you? I have two quick questions for you. What was going through your mind during your #15 jersey retirement night? What was going through your mind when the Pistons waived you before the 92 season?
Vinnie Johnson: It was a huge honor. The fact that they retired my jersey tells me that I did some great things for the organization.
It was a business decision, the team was getting old. They had to start rebuilding the team and I accepted it as a business decision.
Dee Jay, Detroit, MI: I know Carmelo wears number 15 because Vince Carter wears number 15; what made you wear that number and what others have you worn?
Vinnie Johnson: Earl Monroe was one of my favorite players and that’s pretty much the only number I’ve ever worn.
Leon Jefferson, Bloomfield Hills, MI: What was the Pistons-Bulls rivalry like? Was it hard to keep Jordan's numbers down?
Vinnie Johnson: It was a very nasty rivalry. A lot of egos were involved there. Neither team liked each other. It was very had to keep Jordan’s numbers down, no question – no one in the league could do it.
Jeff, Big Rapids, MI: Vinnie, watching this Pistons team where would you rank these Pistons in comparison to the Bad Boys?
Vinnie Johnson: I would rank them right up there with the Bad Boys, but in my opinion the Bad Boys were a little more physical and a lot deeper.
David Bollinger, West Bloomfield, MI: Vinnie, how does it fell now that the Pistons are doing so well again? And what are some of the similarities you notice the Bad Boys and the Pistons team over the last three years? (Make some player comparisons)
Vinnie Johnson: I won’t make any player comparisons, but one thing that is very obvious is that both teams play great defense.
Andre Lodree, Chicago, IL: What was the routine you used to prepare for the game and to heat up so fast?
Vinnie Johnson: Really wasn’t a routine, but one thing that I did before each game was make sure that I stretched and warmed up properly.
Mike Priebe, Bay City, MI: Vinnie, My favorite Pistons memory is of your shot to beat the Blazers with 0.07 left. What do you remember about that moment?
Vinnie Johnson: It went in! They still had a chance to get a shot off and my concern was that the game was not over.
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