The Celtics worst year gets even worse.

Former All-Star point guard Dennis Johnson dead at 52.

By Russ Bengtson

Dennis Johnson, the MVP of the 1979 NBA Finals with the Sonics and a two-time champion with the Larry Bird-led Celtics, died today at the age of 52.

Currently serving as the coach of the NBDL Austin Toros, DJ was a five-time All-Star and a former head coach of the L.A. Clippers.

I never had much interaction with DJ—the last time I saw him was in L.A. last year when I was working on a Chris Kaman feature—but feel nothing but sadness for his family as well as Celtic fans everywhere.

It does bear noting that, in the 25th Anniversary year of the Nike Air Force 1, that DJ perhaps got the best-ever special makeups—all-green hightops with a white Swoosh. You can sort of see them in the photo. Bobbito LOVED those joints.

I sense a 12,000-word Bill Simmons column coming.

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34 Responses to “The Celtics worst year gets even worse.”

dez Posted: Feb.22 at 6:08 pm
52? wow
Sam Rubenstein Posted: Feb.22 at 6:09 pm
R.I.P. Dennis Johnson. He scored the basket when “Bird stole the ball.”
The title of this post could also apply to Delonte West’s personal life: http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=184325&format=text
Cub Buenning Posted: Feb.22 at 6:12 pm
No doubt, Sam. That play always sticks in my mind, as well, but you can’t forget about Jerry Sichting leapfrogging in the background.
RIP DJ.
Russ Bengtson Posted: Feb.22 at 6:15 pm
Damn, Delonte. And it’s kind of sad to say, but I think anyone who’s seen DJ lately would agree that he wasn’t in the best of shape. He put on a LOT of weight since his playing days. Not that you’d expect him to drop dead, but still.
Bigi Posted: Feb.22 at 6:20 pm
Worst year ever…You can’t lose Oden now…
hoopshypeisbetterthanslam Posted: Feb.22 at 6:24 pm
It is sad that he will have to be inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously, I hope those who failed to induct him learn a lesson. That being, you should not put off voting someone in that is deserving because you think they have alot of life ahead of them. RIP DJ
illydiva Posted: Feb.22 at 6:35 pm
^^^who let him/her in here?
Sam Rubenstein Posted: Feb.22 at 6:37 pm
I love hoopshype! When we were on the bus coming back from one of the All-Star weekend game, someone from hoopshype was sitting in the seat in front of us, so we pretended to talk about wild trade rumors. It didn’t last that long though.
Cub Buenning Posted: Feb.22 at 6:42 pm
Sichting in the FOREGROUND, pardon me. DJ, Ainge, Bird, McHale, Parrish..
Magic, Cooper, Scott, Worthy, Kareem….. i love the current game, but damn i miss those days.
DBlizzy! Posted: Feb.22 at 6:48 pm
Maybe that explains that sore on the corner Delonte’s mouth. He’s had it for years, but I need justification for it.
» Delonte West Has A Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - SLAM ONLINE Posted: Feb.22 at 6:56 pm
[...] Man, it must really suck to be a Celtics fan today. Well, the whole year has sucked to be honest, but today has been especially bad. [...]
KMG Posted: Feb.22 at 6:57 pm
When I first got into basketball back in 1986, the Celtics were on their way to championship #16. You knew what you were gonna get from the Celtics back then…Bird, McHale and Parrish dominated the front line, Ainge hurt you from three, and Walton was coming off the bench as the sixth man. In that mix, always reliable in the fourth quarter, was Dennis Johnson. To hear that he passed away is saddening, as well as sobering. He was a class individual, and I’m glad that SLAM was able to do a feature on him recently. Celtics fans, keep your heads up.
Russ Bengtson Posted: Feb.22 at 7:04 pm
I’m confused by the photo change? So much for being able to see the shoes.
The Crack Staff @ Perkisabeast.com Posted: Feb.22 at 7:08 pm
Dennis Johnson, the pride of Pepperdine, has left the building. Rubenstein, pull whatever strings you got, DJ has got to be in the Hall of Fame…
vinny Posted: Feb.22 at 7:33 pm
damn man dj was a remarkable palyer in the history of the boston celtics. man rest in peace
J-Bird Posted: Feb.22 at 7:54 pm
If you believe in Karma, the Celtics are in for some amazingly succesful seasons.
Simmy Sosa Posted: Feb.22 at 8:12 pm
This may be those 16 championships balancing out. RIP DJ
Sonic Fan Posted: Feb.22 at 9:02 pm
I’m from Seattle, and grew up a DJ fan. DJ was simply incredible when he led the Sonics to the NBA Championship and was the MVP. I was such a big fan, I almost went to Pepperdine just to follow in his footsteps. RIP DJ
John D. Posted: Feb.22 at 10:32 pm
Wow, and I thought we as Celtics fans had already hit rock bottom after Red’s death and all of the injuries that led to the Celtics having the worst record in the league. RIP, DJ. I don’t remember DJ playing in person because I am only 20 but I have seen all the classic games from the ’80s on tape. Wow, did he get after it defensively. I have season tickets and it has been incredibly difficult to watch loss after loss. On a sidenote, I really really hope that Paul Pierce wins a ring with the Celtics before his career is over. Through all of this losing Pierce has never asked to be traded and still plays as hard as he can every time he steps on the floor. Not only that, but he tries to help the young guys develop and is a great leader for them. It’s frustrating that Pierce doesn’t get the national media attention that he deserves but doesn’t get because the team is so bad. In Pierce’s first game back a few games ago, I was sitting a few rows behind the Celtics bench and he was visibly playing with a chip on his shoulder as if to let the young guys know that when it says Boston on the front of your jersey losing streaks like that are straight up unacceptable. Sometimes it seems like he is the only one left with some Celtic pride.
DR Posted: Feb.22 at 11:55 pm
I am a lifelong Sixer’s fan and just want to express my sadness at hearing about the death of DJ. My Sixers composed of Cheeks, Toney, Dr J, Bobby Jones, Moses Malone….versus Ainge, DJ, Bird, McHale and Parish….to me that was the best rivalry ever. DJ was a great player and defender…but even he could not stop the Boston Strangler (Andrew Toney). Those were the days.
eRay Posted: Feb.23 at 4:50 am
to correct some old FSN ads; God is not a Celtics fan, at least not this year. RIP DJ & Red.
view ads here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbDYZ2RsBEU
Slobodan Chutzpah Posted: Feb.23 at 5:48 am
Well, Russ, at least your call on that Simmons column was right on the money (I’m not gonna check the word count though): http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070222
SwingMan Posted: Feb.23 at 8:25 am
DJ was the player that made me a Phoenix Suns fan over 26 years ago. I guess the good really do die too young. R.I.P., DJ. God’s backcourt has nothing to worry about now.
Rome Posted: Feb.23 at 9:04 am
John D, How in the world can you afford season tickets at the age of 20? Anyway, as a lifelong Pistons fan, DJ making that layup was the first person to ever make me cry as a little boy watching sports, that play made me hate DJ and Bird for life. DJ’s gone now, I still hate him, but he was a heck of a player, who should’ve got into the HOF before Joe Dumars.
Now unfortunately I’ll be forced to watch that play on sportscenter for the next couple of days, and hear Johnny Most stupid craggly, throat cancerous voice, calling that play. RIP DJ, hate to see playa like you leave so soon, also the Celtics Suck (no really they do) and it feels great.
Boing Dynasty Posted: Feb.23 at 9:54 am
Swing, i would argue that while Ray Felton is no slouch, god could really use a decent 2 guard to round out that back court.
1
bigmike407 Posted: Feb.23 at 1:24 pm
My condolences to the Johnson family and his NBDL players. Not only is this a loss for the NBA, but remember that this dude was a family man and a coach. To his family and his players: Keep your head up and you will be in my prayers. DJ is truly a legend in the game.
Celtic Fan Posted: Feb.23 at 3:09 pm
wow, what sad sad news. He was still way too young to leave this earth.
DJ was vastly underated as a player.
I feel sad for his friends and loved ones.
Other than Reggie Lewis dying this is by far the worst year in all my years as a Celtics fan.
Red, DJ, 18 game losing streak.
SIGH….
perkisabeast Posted: Feb.23 at 4:00 pm
This season is awful. The only thing worse would be if Mark Blount was traded back to us.
LaPhonso Ellis Posted: Feb.23 at 4:11 pm
Props to Slam for the article on DJ in old-school section a few months back.
John D. Posted: Feb.23 at 5:09 pm
^Well technically they’re my dad’s but he works on State Street, only a few blocks from the Garden, so I meet him in Boston for most of the games.
NiCK Posted: Feb.24 at 3:16 am
speechless..no comment..
D-Wade's my Lover Posted: Feb.24 at 1:31 pm
R.I.P. I log on to Slam, and what do i find? An article flashing “All-Star Point Guard Dead at Age 52!!!” I nearly started crying.
D-Wade's my Lover Posted: Feb.24 at 1:33 pm
R.I.P. I log on to Slam and what do I find? An article flashing “All-Star Point Guard Dead at Age 52!!” I almost started crying.
Diesel Boy Posted: Feb.26 at 7:24 am
man, i still remember those words “dennis johnson with one second left, and he gets it! game is over! an outstanding shot by dennis johnson!” RIP, DJ. One of the best playas ever and a real Celtic legend. PS: Hey truth, better start moving towards philly, they need help over there!