Dennis Johnson
Dennis Johnson (born September 18, 1954 in San Pedro, California) is a former pro basketball player and coach.
Drafted out Pepperdine University by the Seattle SuperSonics, he quickly established himself as one of the best all-around guards in the NBA. Despite his unimpressive appearence (stressed by his red-ish hair and his 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.
'DJ' won a title with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979, beating the Washington Bullets in the Finals. After a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns, during which he was selected once to the All NBA First Team, he rejoined the Boston Celtics who needed a point guard capable to defend on Magic Johnson. In Boston, he teamed with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge and Robert Parish on the Boston Celtics teams of the 80s, winning two NBA championships (1984, '86).
He was hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2002, but was fired after an 8-16 record. He currently is the head coach of the NBDL Austin Toros.
DJ and Larry Bird
Larry Bird viewed him as one of his favorite teammates, probably due to DJ's unselfishness and intelligence on the court. Bird even called Johnson "the best I've ever played with".
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' 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.