Dennis (D.J.) Johnson 1954-2007, R.I.P.

"And there's a steal by Bird, underneath to DJ, he lays it in..." -Johnny Most

According to the Boston Globe:

Dennis Johnson, 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.

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 in 1984 and 1986 and with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979 when he was the NBA finals MVP.

Wow, does this one hurt. It is kind of weird to feel sad about the death of someone I have never met, but I suppose that is the testament to the player that he was. The player Bird once referred to as, "the best I've ever played with," Dennis Johnson, or as he was know to Celtic loyal, "DJ," was the best true guard to play for the C's in my lifetime...

To view the rest of this post please visit us over at our new location: Americanathens.com