Dennis Johnson (Celtics) RIP

[Mjcpr]

Dang.

AUSTIN, Tx — Dennis Johnson (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:siteSearch%28%27Dennis%20Johnson%27%29;), the star NBA guard who was part of three championship teams, died Thursday after collapsing at the end of practice. He was 52.

Johnson, coach of the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League, died at a hospital, D-League spokesman Kent Partridge said. Mayra Freeman, a spokeswoman for the Travis County medical examiner's office, said there will be autopsy.

Johnson, a five-time All-Star and one of the great defensive guards, played 14 seasons and retired after the 1989-90 season. He played on title teams with the Boston Celtics (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:siteSearch%28%27Boston%20Celtics%27%29;) in 1984 and 1986 and with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979 when he was the NBA finals MVP.

Johnson, a leader on the court, was a favorite teammate of Larry Bird. The two combined on one of the most memorable plays in Celtics history.

During the fifth game of the 1987 Eastern Conference finals against Detroit, Bird stole Isiah Thomas' inbounds pass under Boston's basket and fed Johnson, who drove in for the winning layup. Boston won the series in seven games but lost to the Los Angeles (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,253880,00.html#) Lakers in the NBA finals.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,253880,00.html

[H8HOGS]

[QUOTE]"I hate to lose," he once said. "I accept it when it comes, but I still hate it. That's the way I am."[QUOTE]

Bet he didn't mean it this time.

[StoopTroup]

I have to admit that it was hard not to like the Celtics during the Bill Russell years all the way until Larry Bird retired.

There were so many really great players during that time.

Boston was very lucky to have had them there IMO.

Johnson was good but I was always partial to John Havlicek.

That guy was a leader when he was on the floor.

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/PHO/AAEI036~John-Havlicek-Action-Photofile-Posters.jpg

[H8HOGS]

I have to admit that it was hard not to like the Celtics during the Bill Russell years all the way until Larry Bird retired.

There were so many really great players during that time.

Boston was very lucky to have had them there IMO.


Always hated the Celtics and that crappy floor they had and especially the Hick from French Lick who was illiterate when he left college. Talk about being passed along.

[StoopTroup]

He sure could play ball.

I would have hated to play him if I was on the opposing team.

[hurricane'bone]

I had the opportunity to talk with Coach Johnson earlier this season when they were here in Tulsa. From the short conversation we had he seemed like a great guy and he will be missed.

[Salt City Sooner]

I was the biggest Philly fan in the world back in the day, but his play MORE than earned my respect in spite of the rivalry. RIP.

[william_brasky]

RIP DJ.

http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/nba/2006/0403/photo/g_johnson_195.jpg

[King Crimson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zviu1C7TJzY

[Fugue]

:(

[sanantoniosooner]

These things go in threes.

D Wade. D Johnson.........

Who's next?

[Zbird]

My fav all time team -- DJ, Ainge, Bird, McHale, and the Chief. They rawked!