In February 2017, the “Grandmama” himself, Larry Johnson, joined me on Scoop B Radio for a session that felt like a trip through the “World’s Most Famous Arena’s” greatest hits. While Knicks fans have thousands of memories to choose from, none sit as high on the mantle as LJ’s 4-point play against the Indiana Pacers in the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals. During our “buttoned-up” dialogue, Larry was candid about the “craziness” of that moment and how it permanently altered his life in New York City.
Reflecting on this in December 2025, as the Knicks once again find themselves at the top of the East, LJ’s story serves as a reminder that in New York, one play can turn a player into an immortal.
“This is New York, Man”
Larry’s perspective in 2017 was colored by the enduring love he receives on the streets of the Big Apple. He admitted that even decades later, he can’t walk a block without someone bringing up the shot that stunned Reggie Miller and the Pacers.
“This is New York, man and everywhere I go here, it’s like I’m a legend,” Larry told me.
“I done took the nickname Larry Legend… cats have been calling me simply because I believe, the four-point play. It’s just one play. It’s the greatest play I’ve had. I’ve had some pretty good moments in this game… but making a four-point play against one of our arch-rivals at Madison Square Garden, that was the craziest.”
The “Continuation” Controversy
Even in our 2017 session, the debate over whether the play should have counted lingered. To this day, Pacers fans (and Antonio Davis) argue that the foul occurred before the shot. Larry, however, provided the “insider” truth on how he drew the contact.
- The Strategy: Larry knew the NBA had just implemented the “no hand-check” rule. He used a jab step to bait Antonio Davis into reaching.
- The Contact: Once Davis “threw his hand out there,” LJ launched.
- The Result: The whistle blew, the ball splashed, and the Garden erupted with a decibel level rarely reached since.
The “Worst” Free Throw of His Life
Perhaps the most surprising “buttoned-up” reveal from our talk was Larry’s admission about the ensuing free throw. After tying the game at 91, the pressure to take the lead was immense.
“That free throw was a blessing because that was the worst free throw I ever shot in my life as far as form,” he laughed. “I just kinda chunked that ball up there. I don’t know how it went in.”
| Game 3 Stats (June 5, 1999) | Performance |
| Points | 26 |
| Rebounds | 8 |
| The 4-Point Play | 5.7 Seconds Remaining |
| The Result | Knicks 92, Pacers 91 |
2025 Retrospective: The Legacy of “Larry Legend”
Today, Larry Johnson remains an integral part of the Knicks organization, often seen courtside alongside Latrell Sprewelland other 90s icons. His 2017 session on Scoop B Radio highlighted a fundamental truth about New York sports: fans don’t just reward winning; they reward the clutch.
As Larry said to me:
“I didn’t think I was that old, really. But that’s what they call me.”
In 2025, with the Knicks chasing their first title since the 70s, the “Larry Legend” standard is the bar every modern “Key One” tries to clear.
