Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 6, 1993 TAG: 9310060229
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
"That's a flat big plate of grits," said George Shinn, the Hornets' owner. "Larry has been loyal and he's been rewarded for that."
The Hornets would not confirm the terms of the 6-foot-6 forward's contract, although the figures were widely reported in the local media. One of Johnson's agents, Steve Endicott, could not be reached immediately for comment.
"My whole body quivered," Shinn said at a news conference. "If you'd told me a few years ago that I would sign somebody for that much, you'd have had to put me in the hospital."
Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks has the NBA's highest annual average salary - $9.4 million salary for the next two years, the result of a contract extension for 1995-96 and 1996-97.
The Philadelphia 76ers gave rookie center Shawn Bradley an eight-year contract worth $44.2 million, the largest package at the time.
"I called owners throughout the league, and I even called the commissioner, David Stern," Shinn said. "The bottom line is that if you're going to win, you've got to pay the freight. We had to get numbers we could live with and make Larry happy."
The Hornets last season made the playoffs in their fifth year, beating Boston in the first round. Johnson and rookie center Alonzo Mourning were the key players as Charlotte tested the highly favored New York Knicks before falling in the second round.
"He's the leader of this team and he will always be the leader of this team," Shinn said. "And he will bring an NBA championship to Charlotte."
Johnson, the NBA's 1992 rookie of the year and an All-Star during the 1992-93 season, led the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 22.1 points and 10.5 boards per game.
"I have always wanted to spend my entire career in the Charlotte community and concentrate on bringing the city a championship one day," Johnson said. "George Shinn has had the same commitment to the community and to myself, and I am grateful for this move to keep the team together so that so that we can reach our goal."
Added Shinn: "He says this is his town. He wants to stay here. He realizes that we're committed to winning and we have all the ingredients here now. It just makes sense to lock him in now."
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB