Anthony Johnson is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for over a decade. He was born on October 2, 1974, in Charleston, South Carolina, and attended the College of Charleston, where he played college basketball.
Johnson began his professional career in 1997 when he signed with the Sacramento Kings as an undrafted free agent. He played sparingly in his first two seasons, but he started to see more playing time in his third season with the Kings. In the 2000-01 season, Johnson played in 79 games and started in 28 of them, averaging 7.3 points and 3.3 assists per game.
After four seasons with the Kings, Johnson was traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2002. He played for the Pacers for two seasons and was a key player in their run to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2003-04 season. Johnson's best season with the Pacers came in the 2003-04 season when he averaged 10.2 points and 4.2 assists per game.
In 2004, Johnson signed with the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent. He played for the Mavericks for two seasons and was a key player in their run to the NBA Finals in the 2005-06 season. Johnson's best season with the Mavericks came in the 2005-06 season when he averaged 7.5 points and 3.5 assists per game.
After two seasons with the Mavericks, Johnson signed with the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent in 2006. He played for the Hawks for two seasons and was a key player in their run to the playoffs in the 2007-08 season. Johnson's best season with the Hawks came in the 2007-08 season when he averaged 6.3 points and 3.4 assists per game.
In 2008, Johnson signed with the Miami Heat as a free agent. He played for the Heat for one season and was a key player in their run to the playoffs in the 2008-09 season. Johnson's best season with the Heat came in the 2008-09 season when he averaged 7.3 points and 3.5 assists per game.
After one season with the Heat, Johnson signed with the Orlando Magic as a free agent in 2009. He played for the Magic for one season and was a key player in their run to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2009-10 season. Johnson's best season with the Magic came in the 2009-10 season when he averaged 4.0 points and 2.0 assists per game.
Johnson retired from professional basketball in 2010 after playing for 13 seasons in the NBA. He finished his career with averages of 5.4 points and 2.8 assists per game. Johnson was known for his toughness, leadership, and ability to play multiple positions. He was also a fan favorite wherever he played, and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
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