Former Celtic Dennis Johnson Dies at 52

By Mark Hoerrner

Three championships under his belt, one of the most undervalued players in the history of basketball succumbed to heart failure Feb. 22. Currently the coach of the Austin Toros developmental basketball franchise, Dennis Johnson, a former Boston Celtics guard, collapsed during a light-hearted conversation with a friend. He never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at a local hospital in Austin-Travis County.

The 52 year-old was probably best known for his post-season player with legendary Celtics teammate Larry Bird.

"He was one of the most underrated players in the history of the game, in my opinion, and one of the greatest Celtic acquisitions of all time," said former Boston teammate Danny Ainge, now the Celtics' executive director of basketball operations, to the Associated Press.

"D.J. was a free spirit and a fun personality who loved to laugh and play the game. We had spoken at length just the other night about basketball and his excitement about coaching the Austin Toros."

At the time of his retirement, Johnson was the 11th player in NBA history to total 15,000 points and 5,000 assists. Johnson made one all-NBA first team and one second team. Six times he made the all-defensive first team, including five consecutive seasons (1979-83).

Johnson played in five All-star games and was ranked as one of the best defensive guards in history. From his amazing early seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics (he was named MVP in 1979) to his time with the Celtics, he played 14 years in the league and stood on the winning end of three title seasons.

"Whether he was leading his teams to NBA championships or teaching young men the meaning of professionalism, Dennis Johnson's contributions to the game went far beyond the basketball court," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "Dennis was a man of extraordinary character with a tremendous passion for the game."

Johnson had been joking about getting a parking ticket with Toros PR spokeswoman Perry Travillion when he collapsed. Travillion called emergency services and remained with him until paramedics transported him off property. She said that Johnson had shown no signs of stress or complained of feeling poorly prior to his death.

Larry Bird, president of the Indiana Pacers and Johnson’s former Celtics teammate, described him as "a great player, one of the best teammates I’ve ever had and a wonderful person."