Dennis Johnson Dead at 52

[miami_fan]

ESPN is reporting the former Celtic point guard Dennis Johnson has passed away.


RIP

[Oilers9911]

ESPN is reporting DJ has passed away


RIP

The Celtics DJ??? No way! That sucks huge. RIP DJ

[molson]

Just saw that on Boston.com - wow.

The 1986 Celtics were the first team I remember. 1986 was my first year of sports consciousness - and DJ must be the first to go of the Boston sports scene at that time.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Rest in peace, DJ.

Much too young... :(

[Logan]

Sucks to hear. RIP.

[miami_fan]

Sucks to hear.

Not to take this off topic, but was he the one who was confused with a pedophile/rapist (sorry, I don't remember the details very well) of the same name a few months back?

That was Eddie Johnson the former Sun and current Sun broadcaster.

[Logan]

Thanks, edited my post to keep the unnecessary info out of this thread.

[molson]

I had to check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zviu1C7TJzY&mode=related&search=

[miami_fan]

Former Boston Celtics guard Dennis Johnson, coach of the Celtics' team in the NBA Development League, collapsed during practice Thursday and died, ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher is reporting.

Johnson was 52.

Johnson was the MVP of the 1979 NBA Finals, averaging 22.6 points as his Seattle SuperSonics beat the Washington Bullets.

After a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns, Johnson rejoined the Boston 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.

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

[Emiliano]

This really sucks.

RIP DJ.

[Antmeister]

Wow, that is crazy. The last time I saw anything about him was about 3 to 4 weeks ago when a team mascot interrupted the game out here is Austin and almost cost them the game. DJ joked about it afterwards and he seemed to be in good health. It is crazy how sudden death could come.

[dawgfan]

RIP DJ. You'll always be remembered in Seattle for your huge role in bringing the city's first (and only) NBA title in 1979.

[vtbub]

:(

[path12]

RIP DJ. You'll always be remembered in Seattle for your huge role in bringing the city's first (and only) NBA title in 1979.

Word. I still remember that night. RIP :(

[King of New York]

That's very sad.

I loved watching those mid '80s Celtics-Lakers games.

[Buccaneer]

The 80s Celtics were my favorite team. RIP. :(

[Vinatieri for Prez]

RIP DJ. You'll always be remembered in Seattle for your huge role in bringing the city's first (and only) NBA title in 1979.

Yep, I'll actually always remember him as a Sonic. It was actually Seattle's only major sport championship even to this day.

[dawgfan]

It was actually Seattle's only major sport championship even to this day.
Well, technically Seattle did win a Stanley Cup waaaaaay back in the day in 1917, but yeah - your point pretty much stands.

[KevinNU7]

so what is the COD?

[miami_fan]

so what is the COD?

None has been reported yet.

[rkmsuf]

I always used to imitate his free throw routine back in the day. Dribble real low and fast while wiping his head with his wrist bands. Very sad.

RIP DJ.

[Eaglesfan27]

so what is the COD?


I've heard from a few sources it was a heart attack (which is the most likely thing when someone drops like that.) Very sad. :(

[Galaril]

Yeah, Cedric Maxwell said that Johnson was over 300 pounds in weight. I haven't been able to find a recent picture of him but if true that would be a godd explanation for his death I would think.