National Basketball Association

Larry Johnson joins Knicks' front office

Published Apr. 8, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

An old face is officially joining the Knicks organization, and it is not Isiah Thomas.

Larry Johnson, who was known as a winner in New York, was named basketball and business operations representative Sunday morning.

The combined position will see him working with players and dealing with community relations as the Knicks continue to add player alumni to their staff.

Johnson, a four-time Knicks captain, played for Jeff Van Gundy during the glory days of the late 1990s.

"I consider coming back to work for a franchise that I had so much success with a great honor," Johnson said in a press release. "As I move onto the next phase of my career, I have been given an opportunity to touch so many different areas of the organization -- helping develop young players, connecting with the community and actively involving myself in the business of basketball. I couldn't be more excited to get going and learn as much as I can."

In this new role, Johnson will work closely with the basketball operations department, focusing on player development. He will also work with the community relations department to support the Garden of Dreams Foundation and on fan development and other marketing and business ventures.

The author of perhaps the most famous play in franchise history, Johnson converted a four-point play with :05.7 remaining en route to a 92-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 5, 1999.

In five seasons in New York, the four-time Knicks captain averaged 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds over 330 games from 1996 through 2001, and led the team into the playoffs each year before announcing his retirement on Oct. 10, 2001.