DJ Dead!

[white is right]

One of my favorite Celtics has passed. Here is the AP wire story....AUSTIN, Texas -- Former NBA star Dennis Johnson died Thursday, the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office said. He was 52.

Johnson, who was part of three NBA champions with the Boston Celtics and one with the Seattle SuperSonics, had been coaching the Austin Toros of the NBA Developmental League.

"He is deceased and is in our building. He will be autopsied," said Mayra Freeman, a spokeswoman for the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office.

Johnson was the MVP of the 1979 NBA Finals, averaging 22.6 points as the Sonics beat the Washington Bullets in five games.

After a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns, Johnson rejoined the Celtics, where he teamed with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge and Robert Parish for a glorious run in the 1980s that saw Boston win the 1984 and 1986 NBA championships and a reach a third, losing the Lakers in 1987.

Known throughout the league as "DJ," Johnson played in five NBA All-Star games and was named to the All-Defensive First Team six times.

In 14 NBA seasons, he scored 15,535 points (a 14.1 points-per-game average) and averaged 17.3 points in 180 playoff games.

 

[white tornado]

Thats sad he died at 52. DJ was a great player and well loved by his teamates. Larry Bird said he was the best teamate he played with and he played with many hall of famers.

RIP Dennis Johnson

 

[pt.guard2]

I too am saddened by this news. That 86 Celtic team with Bird, McHale, Parrish, Ainge and DJ (and Walton coming off the bench) may be the greatest team ever.

 

[guest301]

Should have been a Hall of Famer. Sadly he probably gets in next year.

 

[jaxvid]

A black man with freckles. What more is there to say?

Seems odd how he died, just collapsing like he did with no signs. Reminds me of Pete Maravich and how he went. Guess it's a reminder of how fleeting life can be.

Both guys died after playing basketball. Like I always say, no one dies sitting on the couch watching TV, exercise can KILL you!

 

[Bart]

I don't think he is deserving of the HOF. He was good not great.


Wikipedia: 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, California police responded and DJ was arrested. His wife, Donna Johnson, was not injured in the incident

 

[guest301]

Unfortunately, character is rarely considered when HOF nominations come up. His career numbers, awards and championships certainly merit him a place in the Hall of Fame. I had forgotten about that story above and it does make me think less of him.

 

[white is right]

Unfortunately, character is rarely considered when HOF nominations come up. His career numbers, awards and championships certainly merit him a place in the Hall of Fame. I had forgotten about that story above and it does make me think less of him.

Robert Parrish had a similar instance with his wife. Many heroes have feet of clay off the court though....