The Elasticity of Mickey Johnson
Why Mickey Johnson is one of the best Bulls of all-time.
Throughout the off-season, the team at Bulls Confidential is going to reveal our picks for the top 25 best players in Chicago Bulls franchise history. We are measuring overall impact on the organization, community, and how they impacted their team. Follow along on Twitter by searching #BC25.
#25: Mickey Johnson
The nickname “Rubber Band Man” couldn’t be more appropriate for Mickey Johnson.
When one of these elastic bands is stretched out, it releases heat. When the band is recoiled and laying dormant, it absorbs the surrounding warmth. Whether it was his off the court endeavors, or the the way Johnson was able to stretch out far enough to dunk a basketball, people gravitated towards Mickey Johnson’s passion.
Johnson is a Chicago boy, graduating from Lindblom High School and later attending Aurora College, and he has always looked to give back to his city. In 2011, Johnson ran for Alderman of the 24th ward of Chicago. Not many former athletes make the transition from sports to politics gracefully, but the former Bull seemed to fully embody the challenge when he ran for office.
In 2011, Johnson was interviewed by ESPN’s Melissa Isaacson about his intentions and the other athlete’s off the court charitable organizations:
“I think they should be even more hands-on when they’re able to do it,” he says. “Foundations are good but people like them to be around. I think that’s more encouraging than anything else, to be an example. Give them sports but promote education to encourage them to go in the right direction. Let them know there are other avenues in sports, like broadcasting, PR, officiating.”
Even after a successful run in the NBA, it seems like Johnson’s focus was always bigger than basketball. His campaigning was unsuccessful, but his ability to see the bigger picture was admirable. He was even Cook County Deputy Sheriff for a short time.
Johnson was drafted 56th overall by the Portland Trailblazers in the 1974 NBA Draft, but was immediately traded to Chicago, where he played five seasons. Throughout his time with the Bulls he averaged 15.2 points, 2.7 assists, and 8.4 rebounds per game. In his second season with the team, he was the team leader in Win Shares with 8.3. Some believe that Johnson was the first point-forward that the game had ever seen. The “Rubber Band Man” could certainly dunk the basketball, check out this footage from the 1977 CBS Dunk Contest.
As far as franchise rankings are concerned, Johnson ranks 24th in point per game, 18th in rebounds per game, 19th in total points, and 21st in total field goals. Since he only played five seasons for the Bulls and the 3-point shot had yet to be implemented, these accolades are even more impressive. Johnson played 14 total seasons in the NBA, eventually calling it quits in New Jersey.
The impact that Johnson had on the court and his pursuits off the court is why he deserves a spot on our list. Props to the “Rubber Band Man”.
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