Dennis Johnson

Position	Guard
Nickname	DJ
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	182 lb (83 kg)
Nationality	United States
Born	September 18, 1954 Compton, California
Died	February 22, 2007 (aged 52) Austin, Texas
College	Pepperdine
Draft	2nd round, 29th overall, 1976 Seattle SuperSonics
Pro career	1976–1990
Former teams	Seattle SuperSonics (1976–1980) Phoenix Suns (1980–1983) Boston Celtics (1983–1990)
Awards	5-Time NBA All-Star 1979 NBA Finals MVP

Dennis Johnson (September 18, 1954 – February 22, 2007), nicknamed "DJ", was an American professional basketball player and coach. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (430x674, 133 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Dennis Johnson Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Sara Giauro shoots a three-point shot, FIBA Europe Cup for Women Finals 2005. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The metre, or meter (U.S.), is a measure of length. ... The pound (abbreviations: lb or, sometimes in the United States, #) is a unit of mass in a number of different systems, including various systems of units of mass that formed part of English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The U.S. National Prototype Kilogram, which currently serves as the primary standard for measuring mass in the U.S. It was assigned to the United States in 1889 and is periodically recertified and traceable to the primary international standard, The Kilogram, held at the Bureau International des Poids et... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: The Hub City, CPT, The Hub Location in the state of California County Los Angeles County Government  - Mayor Eric Perrodin Area  - City 26. ... February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... Nickname: Live Music Capital of the World Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Travis County, Williamson County Government  - Mayor Will Wynn Area  - City  296. ... Pepperdine University is a private institution of higher learning affiliated with the Church of Christ. ... 1976 NBA Draft See also: NBA Draft Round One Categories: | ... The Seattle SuperSonics (or simply Sonics) are an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... Sara Giauro shoots a three-point shot, FIBA Europe Cup for Women Finals 2005. ...

Born in Compton, California, Johnson was drafted out of Pepperdine University by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1976. He quickly established himself as one of the best all-around guards in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Easily recognizable by his uncommon appearance for an African American (reddish hair and 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. Johnson's success in the NBA was not a sure thing as he was hardly a standout player in high school, although his tenacity playing street basketball was enough to impress a recruiter at a junior college. After success in junior college, Johnson was recruited by Pepperdine, and Johnson was once again surprised when he was drafted for the NBA in the second round of the 1976 NBA Draft. Nickname: The Hub City, CPT, The Hub Location in the state of California County Los Angeles County Government  - Mayor Eric Perrodin Area  - City 26. ... The NBA Draft is an annual North American event in which the National Basketball Associations (NBA) thirty teams (29 in the United States and one in Canada) can select young players who wish to join the league. ... Pepperdine University is a private institution of higher learning affiliated with the Church of Christ. ... The Seattle SuperSonics (or simply Sonics) are an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington. ... 1976 NBA Draft See also: NBA Draft Round One Categories: | ... The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the worlds premier mens basketball league. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Freckles are small brownish spots of melanin on human skin in people of fair complexion, predominantly found on the face. ... David Robinson performing a jump shot to shoot over Karl Malone. ... 1976 NBA Draft See also: NBA Draft Round One Categories: | ...

Johnson won a title with the SuperSonics in 1979, beating the Washington Bullets in the Finals. Johnson was named MVP of the 1979 Finals after averaging 22.6 points, 6 rebounds and assists while adding 1.8 steals and 2.2 blocks. After a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns, during which he was selected once to the All-NBA First Team, he joined the Boston Celtics who needed a point guard capable of defending Magic Johnson. In Boston, he teamed with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge, and Robert Parish on the Celtics teams of the 1980s, winning two NBA championships (1984, 1986). In his career, Johnson played in five NBA All-Star games, and was named to the All-Defensive First Team six times and the All-Defensive Second Team three times. The 1978-79 NBA Season was the 33rd season of the National Basketball Association. ... The Washington Wizards is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C.. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ... The 1979 NBA Finals were won by the Seattle Supersonics defeating the Washington Bullets 4 games to 1. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Point Guard (PG), also known as the ball-handler, is one of the five traditional positions of a basketball team. ... “Earvin Johnson” redirects here. ... Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former NBA basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest players to ever play, and one of the best clutch performers in the history of sports. ... Kevin Edward McHale (born December 19, 1957) is an American former professional basketball player who starred for thirteen seasons in the NBA for the Boston Celtics. ... Daniel Ray Ainge (born March 17, 1959 in Eugene, Oregon) is a former professional basketball and baseball player who played in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns, and also in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays. ... Robert Lee Parish (born on August 30, 1953 in Shreveport, Louisiana), is an American former basketball center. ... The 1984 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1983-1984 NBA season. ... The 1986 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1985-1986 NBA season The Boston Celtics won the series over the Houston Rockets four games to two. ...

He was hired as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2002, replacing Alvin Gentry, but was fired after an 8–16 record. In 2004, he became the first head coach for the Florida Flame in the then-named National Basketball Development League. He resigned after one year on the job with the Flame finishing the season in last place.^[1] Johnson then became the head coach of a new NBA D-League team, the Austin Toros, a position he held until his death at age 52.^[2] This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The following are the basketball events of the year 2002 throughout the world. ... Alvin Gentry is a former American professional basketball coach, and college basketball player, who has led three different NBA teams. ... The Florida Flame is a NBA Development League team based in Fort Myers, Florida. ... The National Basketball Association Development League, more commonly known as the NBA Development League, NBA D-League, or just D-League, is the NBAs officially sponsored and operated developmental basketball organization. ... The National Basketball Association Development League, more commonly known as the NBA Development League, NBA D-League, or just D-League, is the NBAs officially sponsored and operated developmental basketball organization. ... The Austin Toros are a NBA Development League minor league basketball team based in Austin, Texas. ...

Seattle Supersonics

Dennis Johnson was drafted out of Pepperdine University in the second round of the 1976 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics after declaring himself a hardship case (Johnson was the 9th of 16 children). His first coach, the legendary Bill Russell, saw promise in the young Johnson and gave him 1600+ minutes of playing time his rookie season. Pepperdine University is a private institution of higher learning affiliated with the Church of Christ. ... William Felton Bill Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. A five-time winner of the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and a twelve-time All-Star, the 6 ft 9 in Russell was the...

The following year, under new coach Bob Hopkins, the Sonics got off to a rocky start. After a 5-17 beginning, Hopkins was fired and Lenny Wilkens was hired as the new coach. Wilkens immediately revamped the backcourt, benching starting point guard Donald "Slick" Watts in favor of 24 year old Gus Williams and pairing him with Johnson, relegating Fred Brown as the first guard off the bench. These moves by Wilkens immediately ignited the team, as they went 42-18 the rest of the year. The Sonics them went on to nearly win the NBA Finals, losing in 7 games to the Champion Washington Bullets. Johnson had a terrible game 7, missing all 14 of his field goal attempts. Robert M. (Bob) Hopkins (born November 3, 1934 in Jonesboro, Louisiana) is a former National Basketball Association player and coach. ... Lenny Wilkens with the Portland Trail Blazers Leonard Randolph Wilkens (born October 28, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, USA) is a former National Basketball Association player, as well as the NBAs career leader in coaching wins and losses. ... Fred Downtown Brown (born August 7, 1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a former professional basketball player. ... Logo of the NBA Finals The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association, played under a best-of-seven playoff format. ... Washington Bullets may refer to either the former name of the Washington Wizards basketball team or the song by The Clash, Washington Bullets (song). ...

Nevertheless, Johnson proved himself to be a valued floor leader and a tremendous defensive player. As if on a mission to make amends, Johnson led the Sonics the following season to 52 regular season games and return visit to the NBA Finals, this time winning it as Johnson was selected the MVP, averaging 22.6 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists a game against the Bullets and playing smothering defense.

Shortly after that, Johnson and coach Wilkens had a falling out, with Wilkens going so far as to call Johnson "a cancer". He was then traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1981 for All-Star guard Paul Westphal. Johnson rewarded the Suns by making first team All-NBA in 1981 and taking them to 57 regular season wins, the best total in franchise history to that point. The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... All-star (also, Allstar or All Star) is a term with meanings in both the worlds of sports and entertainment. ... Paul Westphal (born November 30, 1950 in Torrance, California) is a former basketball player and coach in the NBA. A native of California, Westphal has had a storied career in the NBA, both as a player and as a head coach. ... The Associated Press All-NBA Team, also known simply as the All-NBA Team, is an annual honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season. ...

The Boston Years

The Boston Celtics had a disappointing season in 1983. Recognizing the need for a big guard to neutralize the likes of Sidney Moncrief and Andrew Toney, Celtics GM Red Auerbach pulled off a stunning trade by moving backup center Rick Robey and 2 second round draft picks to the Suns for Johnson, a 1st and a 3rd round pick. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas on September 21, 1957, Sidney Moncriefs impact on Arkansas basketball cannot be measured. ... Andrew Toney (born November 23, 1957 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an American former professional basketball player who played for the NBAs Philadelphia 76ers from 1980-1988. ... Arnold Jacob Red Auerbach (September 20, 1917 – October 28, 2006) was an American coach and executive for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. ... Frederick Robert Robey (born January 30, 1956 in Coral Gables, Florida) is an American former professional basketball player. ...

Johnson was just what the doctor ordered for the Celtics, as they went on to win the title that year, with Johnson neutralizing Earvin "Magic" Johnson in the latter part of the Finals with his stellar defense and savvy floor game. Magic Johnson Earvin Magic Johnson, Jr. ...

Johnson won one more title with Boston, after winning 67 regular season games in 1986, with what is widely considered the finest team in NBA history. Johnson was again outstanding in the final series against the Houston Rockets, throttling guard Robert Reid with smothering defense and running the Celtics halfcourt offense to perfection with teammate Bird. Johnson averaged 17 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists. The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. ...

DJ and Larry Bird

Basketball legend Larry Bird counts Johnson among his favorite teammates, perhaps due to Johnson's unselfishness and intelligence on the court. Bird has called Johnson "the best I've ever played with."^[2] Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former NBA basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest players to ever play, and one of the best clutch performers in the history of sports. ...

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's 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. The 1987 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Associations 1986-1987 season. ... The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in the Detroit metropolitan area. ... Isiah Lord Thomas III () (born April 30, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois) is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA, and is currently the head coach and president of basketball operations for the NBAs New York Knicks. ... Bill Laimbeer at the White House after winning the WNBA Championship with the Detroit Shock. ...

Legendary Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most called the action on this play: John M. Most (June 15, 1923 – January 3, 1993) was an American sports announcer, known primarily as the raspy radio voice of the Boston Celtics National Basketball Association basketball team from 1953 to 1990. ...

Arrest

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, Florida police responded and Dennis was arrested. His wife, Donna Johnson, was not injured in the incident. ^[4][5] October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Official website: http://www. ...

Death

On February 22, 2007, at the Austin Convention Center, Johnson had a heart attack and collapsed at the end of the Toros' practice.^[6] After being rushed to a nearby hospital, he could not be revived and was later pronounced dead. Many collegues and former teammates, including Cedric Maxwell, said that Johnson had put on a great deal of weight since his retirement. Maxwell estimated that Johnson "had to be...320-something pounds."^[7] Johnson is survived by his wife, Donna, sons Dwayne and Daniel, and daughter, Denise.^[8] February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... Austin Convention Center is a 3,200-seat multi-purpose arena in Austin, Texas. ... Cedric Maxwell Cedric Bryan Maxwell (born November 21, 1955, in Kinston, North Carolina) is a retired American professional basketball player now in radio broadcasting. ...

External links

• NBA.com History player file: Dennis Johnson
• NBA.com History player detail: Dennis Johnson
• An NBA.com Interview with Dennis Johnson and NBA reporter Mike Slane
• NBA.com Remembering Coach Johnson

References