How Grandmama Created The Big Nasty

  


    People often forget that Larry Johnson was a bad dude, and the UNLV Running Rebels team he led to the National Title imitated his demeanor. Had it not been for injuries Larry Johnson could have been a Hall of Famer, the body of Karl Malone the Intensity of Charles Barkley, and the skills to make him an all time great. He was the consensus Wooden Award Winner and 1991 Number 1 Overall Pick in the 1991 NBA Draft. So how did he Create the Big Nasty Corliss Williamson.

    In 1991 the Number 1 in the Nation as Defending National Champion Running Rebels came into Fayetteville to play the Number 2 in the nation Arkansas Razorbacks. While Arkansas kept the game close on the scoreboard losing 112-105 they were really no match on the inside for Larry Johnson who shot 10-15 scoring 25 points despite being ejected early in the 2nd half for an on court confrontation with Todd Day. Before the ejection Johnson too the ball high on the block backed down the bigger Oliver Miller for a dunk and foul. Before the foul shot Johnson walked by the Razorback bench looked then coach Nolan Richardson in the eye and told him he needed to go "get some men".





    The following year Richardson took his advice and recruited the number 1 High School basketball player in the county. The McDonald's All American and 1992 Gatorade High School Player of the Year Corliss Williamson. Richardson fulfilled the need the Razorbacks had for a dominant front court scorer. leading them to the 1994 National Title, and a runner up finish in 1995. Williams was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 1994 Tournament, and a two time All-American.

    However, the Parallels between Johnson and Williamson do not stop there. While Johnson is the more talented player Williams carved out a successful 12 year NBA Career after being drafted 13th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 1995 NBA Draft. Throughout his career Williamson averaged 11.1 points a game. Won the 6th man of the year in 2002, and an NBA Title with the 2004 Detroit Pistons. Yet the similarities lie within their games. Both were undersized for their positions. Johnson was a 6'5" Small Forward, Williamson was a 6'7" Power Forward yet they both managed to carve out lengthy respectable careers.

    The NBA is a mix of elite athletes who have all crossed paths in various ways so the degrees of separation are not many. However, when one players words inspire a cultural change that leads to a national championship and 12 year NBA career that is something to be amused by. All the Best!


The Big Orristotle

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