Avery Johnson, the Little General, Epitomized a Culture of Resilience
As one of four teams that survived the merger between the ABA and the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs have been nothing if not resilient throughout their celebrated 50-year history. Perhaps no player embodies this resilient spirit like former Spurs point guard Avery Johnson. The Little General parlayed his leadership skills and never-say-die mentality into a successful career in the NBA, despite going undrafted and then being cut by multiple teams at the beginning of his career.
Johnson played ball for three different colleges, graduating in 1988 from Southern University, where he was the first men’s Division I player to average double digits in both points and assists in the same season. Still, he remained undrafted after graduation, instead playing for the Palm Beach Stingrays in the Unites States Basketball League. After barely making a dent as a reserve player, luck rewarded Johnson’s perseverance, and he got the opportunity to join the Supersonics for the ’89-’90 season. Like he would do throughout his 16-year career, when given an opportunity, Johnson seized it.
That season, Johnson fought to make the most of every minute he played, highlighted by an 18-assist performance against the Heat. But despite isolated star performances, Johnson had trouble finding consistent playing time for the Supersonics. In October 1990, Seattle traded Johnson to the Nuggets, who in turn waived him after 21 games. The Spurs saw an opportunity and signed him, but even then, Johnson didn’t stick with the club and was eventually waived Christmas Eve 1992. After a series of 10-day contracts with the rival Rockets, Johnson returned to the Spurs for the ’92-’93 season. He was promoted to starter, yet still, Johnson found himself fighting for minutes down the stretch. When an injured player returned before the ’93-’94 season, Johnson was the odd man out once again ― despite the fact he’d endeared himself to the Spurs’ faithful and was part of David Robinson’s wedding. For the second time with the Spurs, Johnson was out of contract.
George Gervin #44 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles against the New York Knicks circa 1978 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE
Follow us:
listen to the podcast
next story
previous story
BACK TO HOME
READ NOW
READ NOW
Avery Johnson, the Little General, Epitomized a Culture of Resilience
watch the video
The Little General’s third stint with the Spurs proved to be legendary
As one of four teams that survived the merger between the ABA and the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs have been nothing if not resilient throughout their celebrated 50-year history. Perhaps no player embodies this resilient spirit like former Spurs point guard Avery Johnson. The Little General parlayed his leadership skills and never-say-die mentality into a successful career in the NBA, despite going undrafted and then being cut by multiple teams at the beginning of his career.
Johnson played ball for three different colleges, graduating in 1988 from Southern University, where he was the first men’s Division I player to average double digits in both points and assists in the same season. Still, he remained undrafted after graduation, instead playing for the Palm Beach Stingrays in the Unites States Basketball League. After barely making a dent as a reserve player, luck rewarded Johnson’s perseverance, and he got the opportunity to join the Supersonics for the ’89-’90 season. Like he would do throughout his 16-year career, when given an opportunity, Johnson seized it.
That season, Johnson fought to make the most of every minute he played, highlighted by an 18-assist performance against the Heat. But despite isolated star performances, Johnson had trouble finding consistent playing time for the Supersonics. In October 1990, Seattle traded Johnson to the Nuggets, who in turn waived him after 21 games. The Spurs saw an opportunity and signed him, but even then, Johnson didn’t stick with the club and was eventually waived Christmas Eve 1992. After a series of 10-day contracts with the rival Rockets, Johnson returned to the Spurs for the ’92-’93 season. He was promoted to starter, yet still, Johnson found himself fighting for minutes down the stretch. When an injured player returned before the ’93-’94 season, Johnson was the odd man out once again ― despite the fact he’d endeared himself to the Spurs’ faithful and was part of David Robinson’s wedding. For the second time with the Spurs, Johnson was out of contract.
The resilient Johnson pushed ahead, signing with Golden State and producing the best season of his career to date. Named captain of the Warriors after just nine games, Johnson reached a new career high of 10.9 points per game along with 5.3 assists. After the season, Pop, newly appointed GM of the Spurs after a stint with Golden State, “got the band back together,” signing Johnson as a free agent and reuniting the Spurs with another fan favorite, Sean Elliott. The Little General’s third stint with the Spurs proved to be legendary.
From 1994 to 2001, Johnson ― alongside David Robinson ― was integral to the Spurs’ success. On the court, his numbers trended up, increasing his points and assists per game, while reducing turnovers. Off the court, as a vocal leader with a distinct way of speaking, Johnson took the spotlight, allowing the quieter Robinson to go about his business. Their partnership on and off the court made Johnson indispensable to a team that relied on its full roster of players to succeed, culminating in the Spurs’ championship winning side of ’99. When Johnson lifted the trophy, no one could say he didn’t deserve it. He’d fought his way from obscure colleges and lower league semi-pro teams to the NBA and continued fighting every day afterward, until he reached the apex every player dreams of ― an NBA championship ring.
The resilience of the Spurs exemplified by the Little General is part and parcel of the city of San Antonio. Often overshadowed by Dallas and Houston, the underdog spirit epitomizes the Alamo City. When Johnson helped lead the Spurs to their first championship in ’99, sinking the clinching shot in Game 5, then emerging from the plane back in San Antonio, championship trophy held high, it was not only a signature moment for him, but a defining moment for the city of San Antonio itself. No longer would San Antonio play second fiddle to their neighbor cities; we were a force to be reckoned with in our own right.
The resilient Johnson pushed ahead, signing with Golden State and producing the best season of his career to date. Named captain of the Warriors after just nine games, Johnson reached a new career high of 10.9 points per game along with 5.3 assists. After the season, Pop, newly appointed GM of the Spurs after a stint with Golden State, “got the band back together,” signing Johnson as a free agent and reuniting the Spurs with another fan favorite, Sean Elliott. The Little General’s third stint with the Spurs proved to be legendary.
From 1994 to 2001, Johnson ― alongside David Robinson ― was integral to the Spurs’ success. On the court, his numbers trended up, increasing his points and assists per game, while reducing turnovers. Off the court, as a vocal leader with a distinct way of speaking, Johnson took the spotlight, allowing the quieter Robinson to go about his business. Their partnership on and off the court made Johnson indispensable to a team that relied on its full roster of players to succeed, culminating in the Spurs’ championship winning side of ’99. When Johnson lifted the trophy, no one could say he didn’t deserve it. He’d fought his way from obscure colleges and lower league semi-pro teams to the NBA and continued fighting every day afterward, until he reached the apex every player dreams of ― an NBA championship ring.
The resilience of the Spurs exemplified by the Little General is part and parcel of the city of San Antonio. Often overshadowed by Dallas and Houston, the underdog spirit epitomizes the Alamo City. When Johnson helped lead the Spurs to their first championship in ’99, sinking the clinching shot in Game 5, then emerging from the plane back in San Antonio, championship trophy held high, it was not only a signature moment for him, but a defining moment for the city of San Antonio itself. No longer would San Antonio play second fiddle to their neighbor cities; we were a force to be reckoned with in our own right.
watch the video
watch the video