Vinnie Johnson

Vinnie Johnson, born September 1, 1956, in Brooklyn, New York, is one of the most celebrated and beloved bench players in NBA history. Known throughout the league as "The Microwave" — because he heated up so quickly off the bench — Johnson was the quintessential spark plug scorer who gave the Bad Boys Pistons an instant-offense weapon that opposing teams dreaded. Johnson starred at McLennan Community College before transferring to Baylor, where he developed into a skilled, aggressive scorer who could create his own shot from anywhere on the floor. Seattle selected him seventh overall in 1979, but it was his 1981 trade to Detroit that defined his legacy. As the primary sixth man on the Bad Boys teams, Johnson came off the bench and immediately attacked — no warmup period needed, no adjustment time required. He would torch opposing starters with an array of pull-up jumpers, drives, and acrobatic finishes that felt unstoppable when he was in rhythm. Johnson played 11 seasons in Detroit, winning two NBA Championships alongside Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and the rest of the Bad Boys. His most iconic moment came in Game 5 of the 1990 NBA Finals against Portland — with 0.7 seconds remaining and Detroit trailing by one, Johnson nailed a pull-up jumper to win the championship and close out the series. It was "The Microwave" at maximum temperature. His jersey number 15 was retired by the Pistons.