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Augustus McRae
02-22-2007, 09:43 PM
Dennis Johnson of the Boston Celtics of the 80's died today at the age of 52. He was a competitor of the first order - fearless and tenacious. I got the blessing of seeing him play one night in the old Boston Garden years ago. After the game, he was across the street in the same bar I "ate" in, drinking cold beer and eating pizza. He was the kind of guy that made you love pro sports when you were younger. Noone loved basketball coming up more than me - NO ONE - folks like Dennis Johnson were why. The game is no longer played like they played it - likely never will be again.

A full time-out for DJ - a Black man with freckles - a man who played hard and knew how lucky he was to make a good living playing a game - a guy willing to drink a beer and eat pizza with the regular folks...
webster
02-22-2007, 09:56 PM
I remember Dennis Johnson well from the 80s Celtic teams...He along with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Danny Ainge and some others helped the Celtics win 3 titles in the 80s. I can't help but wonder if the dynasty would have continued if the Len Bias tragedy had not occurred. Anyway, I digress.

RIP, DJ!
Augustus McRae
02-22-2007, 09:58 PM
I've wondered that too, Web - many times. The group would have made Lenny Bias a better man, too. It was a shame. It was a great time for those of us who love basketball, wasn't it?



I remember Dennis Johnson well from the 80s Celtic teams...He along with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Danny Ainge and some others helped the Celtics win 3 titles in the 80s. I can't help but wonder if the dynasty would have continued if the Len Bias tragedy had not occurred. Anyway, I digress.

RIP, DJ!
EricStratton
02-22-2007, 10:00 PM
Wow! What happened? Had he been sick?
Augustus McRae
02-22-2007, 10:01 PM
Postcript: My sincere condolences to two cherished friends of mine, two stockholders in the Boston Celtics, and the two biggest Celtic fans I ever knew, Stan "Lightnin'" Lightsey and Dr. Wayne E. Grayson. Bet both of them could quote you DJ's stats and shoe size! I've resolved to take both of them to lunch soon to celebrate those memories.


Dennis Johnson of the Boston Celtics of the 80's died today at the age of 52. He was a competitor of the first order - fearless and tenacious. I got the blessing of seeing him play one night in the old Boston Garden years ago. After the game, he was across the street in the same bar I "ate" in, drinking cold beer and eating pizza. He was the kind of guy that made you love pro sports when you were younger. Noone loved basketball coming up more than me - NO ONE - folks like Dennis Johnson were why. The game is no longer played like they played it - likely never will be again.

A full time-out for DJ - a Black man with freckles - a man who played hard and knew how lucky he was to make a good living playing a game - a guy willing to drink a beer and eat pizza with the regular folks...
EricStratton
02-22-2007, 10:06 PM
In honor of DJ, they should end the NBA season. Did anybody watch that All-Star game? What a piece of shit organization it has become!
Augustus McRae
02-22-2007, 10:09 PM
Don't know, can't see any details yet. Maybe on Sports Center. Let me know if you find out.

John Ishee won # 20 tonight at Samford!


Wow! What happened? Had he been sick?
EricStratton
02-22-2007, 10:11 PM
Don't know, can't see any details yet. Maybe on Sports Center. Let me know if you find out.

John Ishee won # 20 tonight at Samford!

Heart attack at practice in Austin (he was coaching one of those development teams).

Good for Ish. Couldn't happen in a better place.
webster
02-22-2007, 10:18 PM
Yes, the Lakers/Celtic rivalry of the 80s was truly the Golden Age of the NBA. Jordan's Bulls teams of the 90s were too dominant, and the winner was always predictable, but during the the "Magic"/Bird era, there were truly evenly matched teams and the outcome in suspense each year.

These days the Spurs are the only team I follow.
Augustus McRae
02-22-2007, 10:20 PM
Guys! Check out Eric Stratton's avator/picture! It just made me "tear up" - thanks, my good and cherished friend!
EricStratton
02-22-2007, 10:23 PM
Yes, the Lakers/Celtic rivalry of the 80s was truly the Golden Age of the NBA. Jordan's Bulls teams of the 90s were too dominant, and the winner was always predictable, but during the the "Magic"/Bird era, there were truly evenly matched teams and the outcome in suspense each year.

These days the Spurs are the only team I follow.

You damn right, dog! The stars (Magic, Bird, Kareem, etc..) were great, but the most fun to watch were guys like DJ, Ainge, Kurt Rambis, and Mitch Kupcheck(sp?). Back when NBA players played hard and had balls.
maxim
02-23-2007, 08:34 AM
Boy, I grew up in Mass. watching the "Celtz." DJ was the one who never got the same media hype as Larry, Kevin and the Chief. Even Danny Ainge was hyped more than DJ.

When "Bird stole the ball!" (in Johnny Most's inimitable gravelly voiced shriek) who did he pass it to for the game-winning layup? DJ.

Who played defense on Magic Johnson in one of those 7-game Celts/Lakers series and basically shut him down? DJ.

Anyone else remember him at the free-throw line, bouncing the ball before his shot, one bounce for every year he had been in the NBA?

The 1986 Celtics was, simply put, the best basketball team I ever saw. Sad day with many good memories of a great player.