Sports / Business & brands
Vinnie Johnson
born 1956 · basketball guard, later automotive-parts executive
"Bad Boys" era Pistons sixth man, nicknamed "the Microwave" for instant scoring off the bench, who hit the championship-clinching shot in the 1990 NBA Finals.
- Born
Brooklyn, New York
age 70- Birth name
- Vincent Johnson
- Also known as
- the Microwave · 007
- Detroit years
- 1981–1991
- Field
- Sports, Business & brands
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Johnson arrived in Detroit in November 1981 in a trade with Seattle for Greg Kelser, and over the following decade he became one of the most feared instant-offense weapons in the league, earning the nickname "the Microwave" for how fast he could heat up off the bench. As a key piece of the physical, championship "Bad Boys" Pistons alongside Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, Johnson helped Detroit win back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990; his game-winning jumper with 0.7 seconds left in Game 5 of the 1990 Finals sealed the second championship and briefly earned him the nickname "007". He left the Pistons after the 1990–91 season, and in February 1994 Detroit retired his number 15 in a ceremony at The Palace of Auburn Hills. After basketball he built a second career in the auto industry, founding the parts-supply company Piston Automotive in 1995 and becoming active in Detroit's business and minority-development community.
Highlights
- Traded to the Pistons in November 1981
- NBA champion with Detroit, 1989 and 1990
- Hit the championship-clinching shot in Game 5 of the 1990 NBA Finals
- Number 15 retired by the Pistons, February 1994
- Founded Piston Automotive in 1995
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 1988–1991
The Palace of Auburn Hills
Demolished · 1988–2020
The Pistons' arena for both championship seasons and the site of his 1994 jersey retirement ceremony; demolished in 2020.