Eddie Johnson

Edward Lee Johnson Jr. (February 24, 1955 – October 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. He played 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) – mainly as a member of the Atlanta Hawks – from 1977 to 1987. Johnson was a two-time NBA-All-Star with the Hawks in 1980 and 1981, and earned two nominations to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1979 and 1980. He was nicknamed "Fast Eddie" for his speed and quickness on the court. He attended Lake Weir High School and started all four years he played. Johnson graduated from Lake Weir as one of the top students in his class. He allegedly had conflicts with Tigers coach Bob Davis who accused Johnson of having "a bad attitude". Averaging 10.5 points, the rookie helped the Hawks return to the playoffs after a four-year absence, a feat repeated in six of Johnson's eight full years with the club.

Johnson became a starter in 1978–79. During that season, Johnson advanced as far as he ever would in pursuit of an NBA championship, losing in the conference semifinals to the Washington Bullets. He was a starter four consecutive seasons, averaging at least 16 points each season. Fans voted Johnson into a starting spot in the 1980 NBA All-Star Game, where he scored 22 points on 11-of-16 shooting. He returned as a starter in the 1981 NBA All-Star Game, He considered his year with the Cavaliers to be "a waste." Johnson played in the Continental Basketball Association for the Tampa Bay Thrillers during the 1986–87 season as he needed visibility to work his way back into the NBA. Johnson was named the CBA Newcomer of the Year, nominated to the All-CBA First Team and selected as the CBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1987.

Johnson was considered a desirable person during the NBA season who went out of control during offseasons.

Personal life Johnson's younger brother, Frank, is a former player and coach in the NBA. He was a distant cousin of fellow basketball player Tree Rollins, who was his teammate on the Hawks. Johnson's rap sheet numbered about 100 arrests and five stints in and out of the Florida prison system when in 2006, he was arrested for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl in her home at Parkside Garden Apartments in Ocala, Florida. The arrest created additional controversy when multiple publications used the picture of another former NBA player (and current broadcaster) named Eddie Johnson, who believed his reputation had been damaged due to the incident.

On October 30, 2008, Johnson was convicted of sexual battery of a minor, lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor, and trespassing for the sexual assault of the 8-year-old girl. Johnson denied doing anything inappropriate.

Death Johnson died in prison on October 26, 2020, of an undisclosed illness in Milton, Florida. His death was confirmed on November 3, 2020.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs