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Atlanta Hawks: 25 Best Players To Play For The Hawks

By Phil Watson

May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of t-shirts on the seats prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of t-shirts on the seats prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1979: Eddie Johnson #3 of the Atlanta Hawks goes up to shoot in front of Dave Corzine #40 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1979 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Johnson played for the Hawks from 1977-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie Johnson; Dave Corzine
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1979: Eddie Johnson #3 of the Atlanta Hawks goes up to shoot in front of Dave Corzine #40 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1979 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Johnson played for the Hawks from 1977-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie Johnson; Dave Corzine /

125. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Third-round pick (49th overall) from Auburn, 1977 NBA Draft.. SG. 1977-86. Eddie Johnson. 21. player

Eddie Johnson moved backwards while at Auburn, averaging less than 16 points a game as a senior after putting up almost 22 points per night as a freshman.

The Atlanta Hawks took a shot on the shooting guard in the third round, 49th overall, of the 1977 NBA Draft.

ATL_21_JOHNSON
ATL_21_JOHNSON /

He became a full-time starter in his second season with the Hawks and was a two-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive selection.

In February 1986, Johnson was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Johnny Davis.

In parts of nine seasons in Atlanta, Johnson averaged 15.6 points, 5.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 30.5 minutes per game, shooting .478/.314/.793.

Johnson came back from a suspension for testing positive for cocaine use to sign with the Seattle SuperSonics in March 1987, first on two 10-day contracts and then for the remainder of the season.

However, another positive test led to a lifetime ban from the NBA in 1987.

His life after basketball spiraled out of control—more than 100 arrests, criminal convictions for robbery, burglary, battery and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In 2008, he was convicted of sexual battery on an 8-year old girl and is serving a life sentence in a Florida prison. In a 2006 interview, he blamed his problems on cocaine.

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