Dennis Johnson passes away - Detroit Pistons Fan Community

roscoe36 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 04:20 PM

ESPN.com - NBA - Former Celtics guard Dennis Johnson dies at 52

Quote:

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.

Dumars4Ever · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 04:42 PM

Wow, that's tragic. When I watched a bit of Amir's D-League game that was on NBA TV in the last month or two, he was coaching the other team, and I remember thinking, "so that's what Dennis Johnson is doing these days."

ahb · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 01:55 AM

One of my favorite players of his era and a class act.

Tragic.

TheeTFD · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 06:52 AM

I can still remember his face. Because he had some strange spots on it.
He was the guy that scored when Bird stole Zekes inbound pass in the 1987 conference finals.

roscoe36 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 07:36 AM

I have to admit, he was my favorite Celtic. Too young to go.

roscoe36 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 05:06 PM

Great article from SI.com (link courtesy of Truehoop)

SI.com - Writers - Jack McCallum: Implacable cool made D.J. special

Quote:

On a cold winter morning in 1986, Dennis Johnson and his Boston Celtics teammates stood outside of Market Square Arena, unable to get inside for a shootaround before their game that night against the Indiana Pacers. Johnson bundled his coat around him and pulled down his ski cap over his ears.

"Well, they locked us out," said Johnson, "so we'll just have to bust these mother----ers even worse than normal." He said it matter-of-factly and somewhat ruefully, as a statement of fact, and, of course, that's exactly what Boston did.

ggazoo69 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoe36

I have to admit, he was my favorite Celtic. Too young to go.

If I HAD to have a favorite Celtic, I'd pick DJ.

Darth Tater · #8 (**permalink**) 02-23-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggazoo69

If I HAD to have a favorite Celtic, I'd pick DJ.

Quit speaking of the deceased like that, you guys!

Dennis Johnson IS and always will BE a Super Sonic!!!!

LA Dre · #9 (**permalink**) 02-24-2007, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoe36

I have to admit, he was my favorite Celtic. Too young to go.

Too young to go is right. I am 52 and anyone my age or younger that loses his life due to heart attacks or heart disease scares me into rethinking how I am treating my body. Especially when I am away from home alot & on the road eating out and not getting enough rest and excercise. We got to take care of ourselves!!

I like BIll Waltons' eulogy, "DJ died because of a broken heart of not being nominated for the HOF last weekend."

RIP - MR DJ

TheeTFD · #10 (**permalink**) 02-24-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LA Dre

Too young to go is right. I am 52 and anyone my age or younger that loses his life due to heart attacks or heart disease scares me into rethinking how I am treating my body. Especially when I am away from home alot & on the road eating out and not getting enough rest and excercise. We got to take care of ourselves!!

I like BIll Waltons' eulogy, "DJ died because of a broken heart of not being nominated for the HOF last weekend."

RIP - MR DJ

Yeah, but he did a lot of damage before he went down.

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