Friday, February 18th, 2011 at 8:00 am  |  14 responses

Mayor KJ Reminisces on All-Stars Past

by Jonathan Santiago / @itsJONsantiago

Kevin Johnson, now Sacramento mayor, made three NBA All-Star teams during his career, all with the Phoenix Suns.  But his fondest All-Star Weekend memory had nothing to do with the game itself.

Via KFBK Radio’s Rob McAllister:

The year was 1990 and on February 11, Nelson Mandela was freed on the same day as the game in Miami.

“And I remember the game itself just paled in comparison to this man who had been in jail for 27 years (and) came out with no bitterness,” the Mayor said.

It’s worth noting the 1990 All-Star Game was KJ’s first All-Star appearance.  His Western Conference squad fell to the East, 130 to 113.

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , ,

  • TheMac

    Madiba “The” Khulu! What is freedom about…

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    KJ one of the most underrated point guards ever, was ten times better than Steve Nash (cough/media 2 time MVP). I would take KJ over Nash anyday and if you didn’t watch KJ play, please don’t comment on his ability. Also Nash people will say he can shoot, JJ Reddick can shoot, but Nash please lead a team somewhere as the leader. Poor Suns picked the wrong player and not have your Dallas same squad go to the NBA Finals after you leave with a defensive rookie point guard. LOL!!!

  • bails1

    So there are people out there who HATE steve nash? Huh? Phoenix by the way would have been in the finals if not for the horry check and the suspensions that followed. Also, comparing nash to reddick is the dumbest thing I have heard on here. It was an aricle about KJ and nelson mandella and it turned into a tirade about nash. hmmmm

  • bails1

    *article

  • eazy

    yo the seed are you retarded? i’ve seen both players play in phoenix and i can say that KJ is not better than nash

  • http://slamonline BossTerry

    Didn’t know he was mayor.. KJ was one of my favorite players of the 90s, straight fear-less going to the rim… Back then we couldnt get anyones jersey at the local mall, so when my mom took a business trip to Phoenix, I insisted she bring me back a purple KJ Jersey.. Still have it somewhere..

  • http://slamonline BossTerry

    I think Nash is a better leader, ball handler, passer, and pure shooter, but lacks the “killer instinct” KJ had.. And is it safe to say KJ had a better supporting cast (Barkley,Marjle,Manning,Kidd,etc.)??

  • HAMMER

    KJ > “The Dream”. Well, @ least 4 one huge play. What a dunk!

  • HAMMER

    Can’t decide which one was better. KJ’s or Starks over bulls

  • http://slamonline BossTerry

    @Hammer, yeah those 2 standout to me too… Or, Pippen on Ewing, JR Rider in the dunk contest.. Thats how it should be, not getting 50 attempts before finally pulling one off..

  • HAMMER

    @BossTerry. Tru tru. My fav dunk is w/out a doubt pip on ewing. Str8 up nastiness. Then the “Lister Blister”. But out of the 2 lil guys, starks and kj, I have a tuff time making up my mind

  • http://slamonline BossTerry

    Another one of my favs was Chris Webber on Barkley, he took the ball around his body before lift off (before it was a common move), Hell, the even made a Nike commercial outta that one..

  • HAMMER

    Pip on smith in the “Double nickel” game, Penny on Sam Mitchell ’95 Playoffs, Shaq on Kelvin Cato ’97 or ’98 Playoffs

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    Shaq over the Admiral in the 95-96? allstar game?

Advertisement