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Dennis Johnson

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Dennis Johnson
Photo by Steve Lipofsky.
Personal information
BornSeptember 18 1954
Compton, California
DiedFebruary 22, 2007(2007-02-22) (aged 52)
Austin, Texas
NationalityUSA
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight182 lb (83 kg)
Career information
CollegePepperdine
NBA draft1976: 2nd round, 29th overall
Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics
Playing career1976–1990
PositionPoint guard
Career highlights and awards
5-Time NBA All-Star
1979 NBA Finals MVP
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Dennis Johnson (September 18 1954 – February 22 2007), nicknamed "DJ", was an American professional basketball player and coach.

Born in Compton, California, Johnson was drafted out of Pepperdine University by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1976. He quickly established himself as one of the best all-around guards in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Easily recognizable by his uncommon appearance for an African American (reddish hair and freckles), he was widely regarded as one of the fiercest defensive players in professional basketball. He was also a smart and precise passer and could score, despite a somewhat unreliable jump shot. Johnson's success in the NBA was not a sure thing as he was hardly a standout player in high school, although his tenacity playing street basketball was enough to impress a recruiter at a junior college. After success in junior college, Johnson was recruited by Pepperdine, and Johnson was once again surprised when he was drafted for the NBA in the second round of the 1976 NBA Draft.

Johnson won a title with the SuperSonics in 1979, beating the Washington Bullets in the Finals. Johnson was named MVP of the 1979 Finals after averaging 22.6 points, 6 rebounds and assists while adding 1.8 steals and 2.2 blocks. After a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns, during which he was selected once to the All-NBA First Team, he joined the Boston Celtics who needed a point guard capable of defending Magic Johnson. In Boston, he teamed with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge, and Robert Parish on the Celtics teams of the 1980s, winning two NBA championships (1984, 1986). In his career, Johnson played in five NBA All-Star games, and was named to the All-Defensive First Team six times and the All-Defensive Second Team three times.

He was hired as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2002, replacing Alvin Gentry, but was fired after an 8–16 record. In 2004, he became the first head coach for the Florida Flame in the then-named National Basketball Development League. He resigned after one year in the job with the Flame finishing the season in last place.[1] Johnson then became the head coach of a new NBA D-League team, the Austin Toros, a position he held until his death at age 52.[2]

DJ and Larry Bird

Basketball legend Larry Bird viewed him as one of his favorite teammates, probably due to Johnson's unselfishness and intelligence on the court. Bird even called Johnson "the best I've ever played with."[2]

The two players connected on a very special occasion. During Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics were in a difficult position when the opposing Detroit Pistons had a one-point lead and the possession with few seconds remaining to play. However, Bird managed to steal Isiah Thomas's pass to Bill Laimbeer and fed a dashing Johnson, who made a difficult lay-up to give Boston a decisive lead. Boston eventually won the series in seven games.

...and, now there's a steal by Bird...underneath to DJ who lays it in...and there's one second remaining...what a play by Bird! Bird stole the inbounding pass...laid it up to DJ and DJ laid it up and in, and Boston has a one point lead, with one second left...OH MY, this place is going CRAZY!!!

- Johnny Most.[3]

Arrest

On October 21 1997, Johnson was arrested and later charged with aggravated assault for a domestic incident in which Johnson allegedly held a knife to his wife's throat. While Johnson was holding a knife in front of his wife's face, his son tried to intervene. Johnson allegedly told his son "I'll Knock you out." In fear of his father, Johnson's son ran next door and asked a neighbor to call 911. When his son returned home and saw that things had calmed down, he called 911 himself. The Orange County, Florida police responded and Dennis was arrested. His wife, Donna Johnson, was not injured in the incident. [4][5]

Death

On February 22 2007, at the Austin Convention Center, Johnson had a heart attack and collapsed at the end of the Toros' practice.[6] He could not be revived and was later pronounced dead. Many collegues and former teammates, including Cedric Maxwell, said that Johnson had put on a great deal of weight since his retirement. Maxwell estimated that Johnson "had to be...320-something pounds."[7] Johnson is survived by his wife, Donna, sons Dwayne and Daniel, and daughter, Denise.[8]

References

  1. ^ Dennis Johnson named Toros head coach, Austin Business Journal August 22 2005, last accessed February 23 2007
  2. ^ a b Dennis Johnson, part of three NBA championship teams, dead at 52 last accessed February 22, 2007.
  3. ^ On a team of greats, D.J. stood tall last accessed February 22, 2007.
  4. ^ PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Dennis Johnson Is Arrested, New York Times, September 21, 1997, last accessed February 24, 2007
  5. ^ DJ out on bail in Orlando, last accessed February 24, 2007
  6. ^ Former NBA star Dennis Johnson dies at 52 last accessed February 22, 2007.
  7. ^ http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/sportsblog/2007/02/second_update_dennis_johnson_d.html
  8. ^ Dennis Johnson, 52, N.B.A. Defensive Wizard, Dies last accessed February 22, 2007.
Preceded by Los Angeles Clippers Head Coach
2003 		Succeeded by
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