Matt39 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Former Celtics Johnson dies suddenly at 52 ESPN.com news services Former Boston Celtics guard Dennis Johnson, coach of the Celtics' team in the NBA Development League, collapsed during practice Thursday and died, ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher is reporting. Johnson was 52. Johnson was the MVP of the 1979 NBA Finals, averaging 22.6 points as his SuperSonics beat the Washington Bullets. After a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns, Johnson rejoined the Boston Celtics, where he teamed with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge and Robert Parish for a glorious run in the 1980s that saw Boston win the 1984 and 1986 NBA championships. Known throughout the league as "DJ," Johnson played in five NBA All-Star games and was named to the All-Defensive First Team six times. In 14 NBA seasons, he scored 15,535 points (a 14.1 points-per-game average) and five assists and averaged 17.3 points in 180 playoff games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon88 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 As a die hard Celtics fan I am crushed. I loved DJ and always felt he was VERY underated because he was playing with 3 HOF's in Bird, Parrish & McHale. R.I.P. DJ #3... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Wow. As A Knicks fan I hated the celtics going back to Dave Cowans and Jojo White. But I always had respect for DJ as an opposing player. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garb Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Always loved DJ. I remember Larry Bird calling him the best teammate he ever had. RIP, Dennis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon88 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Always loved DJ. I remember Larry Bird calling him the best teammate he ever had. RIP, Dennis. Bird has always said, and I agree, everyone says the Bird steal against Detroit was such a great play, but it would have meant nothing if DJ wasn't cutting to the hoop anticipating Bird making the steal, and then having to make the layup. I've always believed that DJ is a Hall of Famer and I still think he'll get in, I just wish he would have been here able to enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Man, 52 aint that old. You just never know... 43DrapEn5QA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Terrible to die so young RIP Dennis Johnson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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