Rest in Peace, Dennis Johnson
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2/22/2007 5:19 PM ET By Tom Ziller
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- Tom Ziller
- Tom Ziller is an NBA Blogger for FanHouse
Dennis Johnson was involved in perhaps the most famous Celtics play ever - this legendary Larry Bird steal in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals.
But forgotten is his Finals MVP, which he won with the other green team - the Seattle Supersonics. DJ, along with Gus Williams and Jack Sikma, delivered Seattle's only major pro sports championship in 1979. (Sorry, ladies.) DJ scored 34 points in the clinching Game 5.
DJ had 15 siblings, grew up in Compton, was barely recruited out of high school, went to Pepperdine University... and ended up a five-time All-Star, nine-team All-Defense guy with three rings and a Finals MVP. Larry Bird called him "the best I've ever played with."
Johnson turned to the bench after retirement, and got the job even Red Auerbach would've begged for: Coaching Lamar Odom, Quentin Richardson, Chris Wilcox, Eric Piatkowski, Andre Miller, and Corey Maggette. All told, DJ only got 24 games at the helm before Donald Sterling turned to Mike Dunleavy. DJ coached the NBDL's Florida Flame for a spell, and had the Toros of Austin (starring Allan Ray and Loren Woods) playing .500 ball this season. He'd been mentioned as a big-league head coach candidate here and there over the last several seasons.
Rest in peace, DJ.
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CLASS ACT!!! MET HIM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN HE WAS WITH THE FLAME. HONEST, SINCERE, AND VERY APPROCHABLE. GENUINELY GREAT GUY. REST IN PEACE
Like the Pistol, Reggie and Red, DJ will go down as one of the most loved and respected Celtics of all time. His quietness on the court only led to the respect he received from both his teammates and members of the other teams. He did it with class and hard work. His actions on the court were all that was needed. He did his job without trying to get the attention. To me thats the epitomy of a team player, and anyone who knows the game respects. You have to know he's playing probably the greatest game right now. Him. Pistol, Wilt, Reggie, Lenny, George Miken and the rest of the greats who went before.
DJ rest in peace. You may be gone but NEVER forgotten. Esp by me a former Celtics season ticket holder who has been a fan for almost 50 yrs.
i had nothing but fear and respect when it came to dj. he would keep my teams top guy in check, hit the big shot, make the great pass,block,rebound,you name it.he could do it all, he did it all.my prayers go out to his family.
i had nothing but fear and respect when it came to dj. he would keep my teams top guy in check, hit the big shot, make the great pass,block,rebound,you name it.he could do it all, he did it all.my prayers go out to his family.
DJ was a class act. He was acquired by the Celts for Rick Robey. Red was a genius. This guy was clutch from the get go. Celtics don't win those 2 championships without him. My dad and I loved to watch him play. He should have been given a chance to be a head coach. If he was white he would have. Thanks DJ. You will be remembered.
THE MAN WAS A "CLASS ACT"
RIP #24
I'm a southern boy from south carolina. Who grew up on Basketball in the late 60s to early 70s. And I have never seen an all around player like DJ. (little Red). They will never be a team like that again.
I will miss you.
Mike
First, the dirt...
DJ was well-kmown around the Massachusetts bar scene, even after his heyday. He was also a chain smoker, which is rare among American players.
There were also some rumors of Tony Yayo, but there's no need to put that stuff up here. Should be an interesting autopsy, though...
Bad stuff aside, it has long been my opinion that the Boston Celtics chose the wrong 1980s guards to run their teams over the 1990s and 2000s. M.L. Carr, Doc Rivers, Chris Ford and Danny Ainge were all second-rate basketball intellects compared to DJ.
Also...kids... remember that DJ was a flat-out all star before coming to Boston... and that no better job of a big star sublimating his ego (and his game) for the good of the team ever existed than DJ on the 1980s Celtic teams. He had multiple title rings to prove it.
Also... his 1987 lay-in off the Bird steal was/is/shall forevermore be the most clutch thinking I ever saw on a basketball court. Anybody could have made the shot... very, very few would have been in position to take it so quickly. His last second dagger against the Lakers (after what I think was a 3-17 shooting night) was also tres clutch.
The NBA lost a classic, and "every light in Fat City went dim when they heard you'd finally cashed your check."
Man o Man, DJ, I was there for my Lakers during those "Boston Sucks" days. I hated ya and loved ya. Those were the best years of professional Basketball and you was part of it. thanks D.J.
I like to work a "3 paragraphs of slander, 3 paragraphs of d*ck-sucking hero worship" pattern into post-mortem tributes to my childhood heroes. Wait til the guy who played ALF dies...
Being a great fan,Dennis Johnson was the most under rated basketball player known of all time. Now, that he has died, there are those who want to give him recognition that has been long deserved. It is too bad, Dennis is no longer with us for him to celebrate this with great gratitude.
The Guy who played ELF died,WTF?
DJ was my all-time favorite NBA player. I was such a fan of his, that every team he played for became my favorite team. He is the reason I'm still a Celtic fan til this day. He was a great defensive guard who always came through in the big game. He will be missed.
Was it "Elf?" I'm French, and am often wrong about these things.
He was in my dorm in
He was in my dorm at Pepperdine 75-76. I was a lowly freshman on the waterpolo and swim team. He was a senior and a great basketball player but always friendly and never acted like he was above anyone else. I am really shocked and my prayers are with his family.
Gus, DJ and Downtown Freddie Brown was the second greatest guard rotation ever next to Magic, Scott and cooper.
DJ very underated!!!
RIP.
He epitomized how basketball should be played. A shut down defensive player who also could make the clutch shot to win a game. Too young to leave us. The NBA lost a great one.
yes dennis johnson is my uncle u guys i was very close to him i loved him very much i want to thank you fans out their for your moral support and for them family you guys thank you