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| | Tuesday, October 12 | |||||
| PHOENIX -- After not playing during the lockout-shortened season, three-time All-Star Kevin Johnson has officially retired.
Originally drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1987, Johnson was traded to the Suns in February 1988 and spent the rest of his 11-year career in Phoenix. "When I think of Kevin Johnson I think of a young man who represented this franchise as well as anyone who has worn the Suns uniform," said Jerry Colangelo, the Suns' owner and chief executive officer."He made a tremendous contribution to this franchise. He is one of the most outstanding point guards to play this game." Johnson last played for the Suns in 1997-98 and averaged 9.5 points and 4.9 assists in 50 games. He had been hampered by an assortment of injuries and missed a total of 165 games over his final six seasons. Johnson played in 70 games in 1996-97 and averaged 20.1 points and 9.3 assists. "I thank the Phoenix Suns for making my playing experience memorable and for helping me accomplish everything I ever could have dreamed of, with the exception of an NBA championship," Johnson said. "There is no better first-class organization to play for, from top to bottom, than the Phoenix Suns and I am extremely proud to have worn their uniform." Johnson, 33, finished his career ranked third on the Suns' scoring list with 12,707 points and first with 6,494 assists. In addition, he holds team marks with 25 assists in a game against San Antonio on April 6, 1994, and 10 steals in a game against Washington on Dec. 9, 1993. He finished his career fifth in NBA history with 9.2 assists per game, trailing only John Stockton, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas. His career total of 6,687 assists ranks 10th on the NBA career list.
Johnson averaged 20-plus points and 10-plus assists in three
straight seasons from 1988-91, becoming one of only five NBA
players to accomplish the feat, along with Nate Archibald, Magic
Johnson, Robertson and Thomas. |  | |||||
