[docicu3]

If it wasn't tough enough with Red passing and the futility streak.......

One of the greatest clutch players of his generation died suddenly from a likely fatal cardiac dysrythmia Wednesday afternoon. Thankfully Dennis apparently passed without prolonged suffering from a V-Fib or sudden death event where he never regained consciousness after collapsing midsentence after a BB practice Thursday.

Dennis Johnson was one of the great defensive players of his era won NBA titles with two teams, made 1st team all Defensive team 5 times, NBA all-star 5 times, 3 NBA titles and certainly gave Magic Johnson more than a few sleepless nights guarding him as solidly as any player in the NBA.

DJ played the game full throttle at both ends of the court. IMO few of the current membership of NBA players that dominate this current inferior brand of so called professional basketball could hang with Mr Johnson in his prime.

The Boston Celtics were the greatest dynasty in the history of the NBA winning almost as many NBA championships during Red's tenure as conquests Wilt from LA is credited.

If the NBA game today had the same team concept with pass and play defense first with the ball rarely hitting the floor as the Boston Celtics (and to be fair the Showtime LA version) played night after night we wouldn't be playing for the Bronze in world competition.

Team ball and USA superiority died when the Celtic/Laker motion games ceased to exist. DJ and Red were major contributors toward securing what was right about the game. The NBA is a far lesser product without guys who played and coached like these two.

RIP DJ........Your final resting will be in the Hall where you belonged all along.