Career Retrospective- Dennis Johnson

[MrPatrickdoan]

R.I.P Dennis

[madcapper6]

The title of the article in the next day's sports page was, "DJ Howitzer Puts Sonics 1 Up." That was the kind of player DJ was. He was clutch. It's no accident that he never played on a losing team in his entire NBA career and every team he played on was elite.

[madcapper6]

One of the best series in NBA history was the 1980 conference semis between the Sonics and Bucks. In Game 1 in Seattle, JJ went up for a 15 footer vs three defenders with the shot clock winding down and rookie Marques Johnson stripped the ball and took it solo the other way for a 103-101 lead with 5 seconds to go. The ball was inbounded to DJ and he took it up the court and hit it from 45 feet to win it for the Sonics 104-103.

[jefe99tt]

legend

[NeuMasterful]

I am very happy today. DJ finally takes his place in the hall. Few, if any players give me such a kick from just watching them play. "A defensive menace on the parquet floor, thats the Celtics Dennis getting down for the score"

Thank you Mr. Naismith for inventing the artform that is basketball, and thank you Mr. Johnson for performing your own brand of art.

[Amick44]

@NeuMasterful

Well said! Bill Walton called DJ the best guard in the league until Magic entered. Bird called him the best he ever played with. Made each of his teams better and they all went down a notch or more when he left.

[perfectiondark24]

His neice is beast.

[mmcneil777]

The guy was great...

[mabrown84]

Did Dj wear D. JOHNSON as a name at Seattle? I know J. JOHNSON Wore the J. on his jersey.

[junoxtc]

R.I.P. DJ ... GO CELTICS!!!

[wilmoer]

My third favrorite all-time NBA player, after Bill Walton & Pete Maravich. I hated for any game to end when he was playing.

[Amick44]

@wilmoer

Great trio! I must add Walter Davis , DJ's ex running mate, who is perhaps the best pure shooter I've ever seen.

[madcapper6]

Longtime Sonics fan. He was the reason the Sonics won it in '79 and they never came close to another title after he left. Sonics dropped 22 games in the standings the year he left Seattle and the Suns dropped 12 games the year he got traded to Boston. Vote him in already!!

[Krezip]

I agree, hes  very worthy of it.....

[xmuscularghandix]

If your name is Dennis your probably a good defender, but won't get your recognition as an elite player.

[bwconklin]

Most underrated guy ever. Shame on the HOF..

[Amick44]

@bwconklin

No doubt. Best player on Seattle, Phoenix and 2nd best on Boston, though never got such recognition. Now that he's in the Hall. Bernard King is the best not in yet.

[sludgedozer]

tremendously underated : (

[juliojgr19]

Strong body, very big brain and lionheart.

[wrsawy]

DJ was so special.  He was a great celtic, but I remember him pairing up with gus williams, downtown freddie brown, JJ and Sikma. That sonic team was a blast to watch. When he died I was in downtown Seattle, people all over were talking about him.

[3491730]

dennis was one of my favorite players along with adrian dantley and george gervin

[Amick44]

@3491730

Nice selections. All 3 are very underrated. Gervin really took off once he got into the NBA, unlike Dr. J, who's best days were in the ABA.

[eclecticdoc]

I'm just grateful DJ didn't live to see Clay Bennett MURDER the Sonics.

[LarryKEKE]

Basketball today needs more players like DJ he was so unselfish

[stellahazel]

dj was the best. miss ya' snaggle-tooth! enough said.

[danielndenise]

So glad to see everyone still cheering Dennis for the Hall of Fame.. He is missed so much by his family. A great tribute to a great man and my husband.

[gdev20]

Hey Austin-ites!  George here...just saw this and thought I'd say hello

[danielndenise]

Hello right back at ya

[jpwilson159]

BIRD SYS IT HIMSELF, right about the 6:04 mark, hes a bog play man, "he makes big plays when you need him" Now when you have LARRY BIRD making a statement like that how the fuck cant he be an NBA hall of famer?????

[jpwilson159]

The freckles were the greatest, they helped him on defence, it was such a distraction

[sarnow76]

Give him the fucking hall of fame. He was a great player especially in the 4th quarter and could PLAY DEFENSE.

[downinthefens]

Greatest team player....even greater man.....get him in the Hall!

[sarnow76]

Bird said DJ was the greatest player he ever played with.

[SrustinLim]

4:14 I love Riley's expression on DJ's game winner.

[bestlives]

dennis johnson was a great player, RIP

[buddboygmail]

he'll get in this year.

[tbspatriot]

RIP DJ, you were one of the most overlooked great guys in the NBA, you are truly missed.

[Lyndehouse]

DJ belongs in the hall--just ridiculous--he will get in eventually

[cdog187]

man D.J. had some serious drive to win...by far one of the most underrated NBA players ever....R.I.P. Mr. Johnson

[1249emupot]

no, he won a championship in SEATTLE, and won another TWO in BOSTON, trust me there is subtle importance

[laytickfreestylah]

Dennis Johnson, one of the best defensive players ever... RIP, DJ!!!

[JellyBean2144]

DJ and the Iceman were my two favorite players back in the 80s. My saddest day for me, was when DJ left the Sonics and became a Sun, and then later a Celtic. DJ was awesome!!!

[masterlethal]

dennis was the greatest because he could play all positions and do anything on the court

[antifascist99]

Un grande per una grandissima squadra

[terjer01]

My favorite player on the 1980's Celtics. A heady point guard who played with a lot of heart. Larry Bird called him his greatest teammate. DJ made no bones about his transgressions on a Boston Radio show.

[FireDannyAinge]

Why are you celebraring a wife beater?

[McDerm15]

FUCK YOU YOU FAGGOT

[FireDannyAinge]

What you don't like facts.? He was arrested for threatning his wife with a knife and he had beaten her before. These are facts. Look it up

[danielndenise]

fIRST OF ALL.... MR.(FireDannyAinge) I am his wife and widow you have no idea of what you are talking about Don't make comments about what you know nothing about!

[FireDannyAinge]

You are a liar. You are not his wife because this happened and was ALL OVER THE NEWS in Boston.

Seriously get a life

[danielndenise]

Something Dennis never was, get your facts straight before you make a comment.

His Wife and Widow

[Gauchoo1234]

Louri was the only one who could stop DJ. Too bad that Louri was 4 when DJ was playing no the NBA, too bad that DJ died nowadays that both could meet.

[airjordan23man]

DJ IS SO UNDERRATED I FEEL SO BAD THAT HE DIED... hes better than frazier in my opinion

[jesusworld22]

god bless you!

[clearedfortakeoff]

AI and starbury should see this

[Amick44]

@clearedfortakeoff

yeah , take off, they never learned cause it was all about them. AI and "star"bury. Losers who were out for the numbers only.

[shiehy]

RIp DJ

ur awesome

[george84911]

players today should watch tape of how DJ played the game

[seandelevan]

tragic

[spankman626]

Cheers to a great pg and a great player. We wont forget you DJ, RIP