Celtics Great Dennis Johnson Dies at Age 52

Former Boston Celtics star Dennis Johnson died after after collapsing at the end of his developmental team’s practice on Thursday. He was 52. Preliminary reports are that he died of a heart attack.

DJ was part of 2 championship teams with the Celtics and of another championship team in Seattle. He didn’t always get the headlines in Boston because he played with Bird, Parish, and McHale. But Bird said it best when he said that DJ was the best teammate he ever played with. The famous steal by Bird wouldn’t have been quite as good if it wasn’t for DJ underneath the basket ready for the pass to lay it in.

Johnson, a five-time All-Star and one of the great defensive guards in league histor had been coaching the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League. The Toros are the Celtics’ D-League affiliate. DJ was a great player and a quality person and will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

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