DJ was a great player, A great teammate, A great Celtic, A great Champion, but most important he was a great man! He left this world way too soon. You may be gone, but the legend of DJ will live on forever. R.I.P. DJ.
Larry often said what an amazing player DJ was as well as a favorite of his to play with, and Larry always said exactly what he meant nothing more nothing less - no question Dennis Johnson played at an all Celtic level and he earned this by sheer hard work and more to the point teamwork that made this era of the Celtics gel so well and proclaim their spot as one of the if not the best Celtics team to ever play on the parquet floor. RIP Dennis Johnson, and thank you for all you gave the team and all you gave the rest of us.
I just loved watching DJ back then. Monster player, fast hands, incredible passer. He and Bird together were like 2 bodies controlled by one mind. Such a shame that he didn't get into the HOP until after he died.
Quiet greatness. One of my all time favorites. Rock solid in every aspect of the game, and always where he needs to be when the game is on the line. He was every bit as clutch as Larry under pressure.
Bird stealing the Pistons inbounding pass was awesome, but watching DJ scanning the court before it happened and then his instantaneous lurch towards the bucket always gives me the shivers.
Effing DJ. What a baller. As I was a teen watching DJ playing for the Celtics I never watched his performance on earlier teams. What an amazing player. Bird and DJ played the mental game. And it was brilliant to watch. RIP DJ. You are missed.
I've never seen this ceremony. Glad DJ got to receive at least some of his well-deserved honors before he passed. Most people remember him as a Celtic, and forget how great he was in Seattle. Until Scottie Pippen came along, DJ may have been the greatest non-center shutdown defender in NBA history. He has never gotten his due respect as one of the true all-time greats.
Wow! As an avid Boston Celtics fan, I've seen most Cs & players' highlights, but this is the first time ever seeing my man Dennis Johnson being honored by having his GREATLY DESERVED #3 raised to the Garden rafters. Growing up as a young kid in Boston during the Larry Bird era, I was a HUGE Bird fan, but my favorite player ever was DJ. Because the greater the stakes, the better DJ played, and the other uncanny thing about DJ is I can't ever remember having watched DJ play and thought, "What a bad play!" or words to that effect, because DJ always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. RIP #3.
According to Bird DJ was his best teammate. Great defensive and clutch player at Boston and all the way back to his days at Seattle. A shame he passed before his Hall of Fame induction ceremony..
Tragic that DJ died so young. Loved to watch him played with the Celts. So many smart players on those teams, so unselfish. Red had a gift over the years to being in vets to play roles, DJ, Tiny Archibald, Pete Maravich, Walton. All stars in their own right but willing to play a role all focused on winning. RIP DJ
Goosebumps….from an 80s Lakers fan Great player on both sides of the ball, joined the Celtics after a great career in Seattle, past his athletic prime but used his intelligence and skills to remain great - like the play against the Pistons where Bird steals the inbounds pass, and he instinctively cuts to the basket to score - two great players making a sensational play to win a playoff game.
Criminally underrated!!! DJ was CLUTCH!! He'd bailout Bird when need be!!! Top defender!! He made all defense team 8 years in a row and as you heard gave Magic nightmares!! Love ya DJ!!❤🎉 REST IN PEACE!!
DJ 3 Time NBA Champion,Finals MVP,5 Time All-Star,9 Time First/Second Teams All Defensive,one of the most underrated players in NBA history I called him the peacemaker of the Celtics DJ and Gus Williams with the Supersonics one of the most underrated backcourt duo's in NBA history
Nothing fancy, but consistent night after night. These are the guys that are the greats, but never recognized because he did not show boat. I watched him and never saw him make any mistakes.
Celtics and the Lakers really brought allot of joy into my life. I was a Celtic fan, but looking back would not of been the same without the Lakers. DJ was a such a great player and you just knew he would not beat himself.
So much is overstated or just plain bs in sports, politics, life. Let it be said, Dennis Johnson provided everything any team could ever want from a point guard. Lot of people today don't know, he already had won a ring before coming to Boston.
Now this is a great video. DJ was a critical element in that great. Celtics team. Maybe, the most critical. Bird acknowledged it. A great player and a great man.
He may not have been in the superstar status as so many, but when it came to basketball IQ , he rose above them all. The most fundamentally sound player in the game. No need to tell him to switch , set a pick, cover someone else in transition, he already knew that before you could point it out. And as far as defense, nobody could get into an offensive players head and disrupt his game like Dennis.
When Bird said DJ was the best player he ever played with.. Another underrated player who took way too long to get into the Hall of Fame, but he did get there. He thrived in big games, and he could lock down some of the best players in the league (he was the toughest defender against Magic Johnson). Bird and DJ were one of the best passing duos in NBA history. DJ would throw a bullet, even off the dribble, to Bird in mid air at the exact place and time it had to be there.
I'm glad this came across my feed, have often wondered if this happened. Sad ending to a great player. DJ and Larry had an on field connection that was amazing.
Now, Dennis Johnson was a basketball player. The "scoop" on him was that he was tough on teammates. Of course, the truth was, he needed tougher teammates. Thank goodness he found them. RIP
DJ to this day 10-10-23 is the leading guard with blocked shots in finals history. 37 games 39 blocks. # 2 Kobe 37 games 33 blocked . #3 D. Wade 30 #4 M J 23.M. Cooper 20. D. Green 19 Source: Stats Muse.
I have never seen a player with a more beautiful body bounce to dribble than DJ. He would maneuver between defenders with that bounce and dribble with a low center of gravity to set up others at the rim. He was a great outside in, great defender and passer etc. etc he was the defining piece to take the Celtics from a great team to a legendary team.
DJ operated in the wake and take charge of LARRY, KEVIN, ROBERT, DANNY ...... fitting in like a part of the puzzle PERFECTLY. Gone too soon, just a terrific player on a pretty solid winning combination = called Boston Celtics.
I was a Lakers fan growing up, i hated the Boston Celtics, i hated Larry Bird and i hated Dennis Johnson. DJ like Bird would break ur heart, making smart plays, scoring at the right moments, oh i hated the guy. Today Bird and DJ r the probably the players I respect the most.
Remember that game winner that Larry made in I think in ‘82 against Phoenix…Larry even told the Suns bench where he’ll take it …After Larry made the game winning last second shot he points to someone from the Suns bench then high fives him.. that was Dennis Johnson still with the Suns before being traded to Boston.
90's Bulls were incredibly strong, 80's Lakers were skilled and fantastic to watch but 80's Celtics...man...they had it all and there was no team smarter than them
DJ and Bird looked like two of the most un athletic players on the court, but they were two great players, and had an unbelievable chemistry on the court. RIP DJ.
He was not a great percentage shooter, but what a clutch player. All he could do was win. There was not anything he would not do to contribute to winning. A tremendous clutch player and champion! Signed a Detroit Pistons fan
The previous year, Philly obtained Moses. After a few close calls, Moses finally put the Sixers over the top. When Boston got DJ the next season, I (and I believe many others') had a similar feeling about the Celts. What the addition of one missing key, great player can do!
Former World Champion Seattle Supersonic and 3× World Champion Boston Celtic, Number 3 on The Hardwood of Boston Garden, # 1 in the Hearts of all NBA Fans, Dennis Johnson.
If DJ was the point during Larry's rookie season, i truly believed that they could have won the championship. Tiny was good but he had a hero mentality. He had the tendency to do too much for himself.
While I get where you're coming from, please remember that early in his career in Kansas City, coach Bob Cousy felt he had little choice. But to turn Nate loose and get it done offensively. And if nothing else, it kept the Kings fairly competitive and put fans in the seats. And Cousy felt there was at least part of his job to a degree.
Only mistake I can see is that he didn’t fowl magic the minute he got the ball before the hook shot. Would have made him earn it from the line plus if he hit both would have left more time on the clock. But he didn’t, c’est la vie
they just love D. J.
What a star. 🌟🌟🌟.
The greatest thing is he and Larry hang side by side in the rafters. One when they played, together as one where they belong
Dennis had so many clutch moments in his illustrious career
DJ was a great player, A great teammate, A great Celtic, A great Champion, but most important he was a great man! He left this world way too soon. You may be gone, but the legend of DJ will live on forever. R.I.P. DJ.
That's right Mark 💯 👍.
Great words brother
Amen
A great Sonic and Phoenix Sun, too. But he cemented his legacy with Boston.
One of the greatest to ever play the game. Saw almost every big game in Boston when he was playing...
Larry often said what an amazing player DJ was as well as a favorite of his to play with, and Larry always said exactly what he meant nothing more nothing less - no question Dennis Johnson played at an all Celtic level and he earned this by sheer hard work and more to the point teamwork that made this era of the Celtics gel so well and proclaim their spot as one of the if not the best Celtics team to ever play on the parquet floor. RIP Dennis Johnson, and thank you for all you gave the team and all you gave the rest of us.
I have had many conversations with DJ & one of the nicest people on earth along with Frank about Sinatra
You can see the Love in the audience... DJ, a clutch player amongst all his other skills... sorely missed.
He didn't care about stats, he just wanted to win. Sounds like a good lesson to learn.
I just loved watching DJ back then. Monster player, fast hands, incredible passer. He and Bird together were like 2 bodies controlled by one mind. Such a shame that he didn't get into the HOP until after he died.
You're so right, DJ and Larry were telepathic out there.
Great, Great player all around. 12:15am
Man DJ was so clutch. I remember those days like yesterday.
Quiet greatness. One of my all time favorites. Rock solid in every aspect of the game, and always where he needs to be when the game is on the line. He was every bit as clutch as Larry under pressure.
What a treasure to see the honoring of DJ. Thanks!
Love the way he played. Very recognizable on the court and so smart. He is actually my favorite next to Bird. Together they were great.
Bird stealing the Pistons inbounding pass was awesome, but watching DJ scanning the court before it happened and then his instantaneous lurch towards the bucket always gives me the shivers.
So underated, and always made the big play. One of my all time favorite players. Gone way to soon 😔
I just love clutch shots.
DJ was not only a great defender, he was also a great clutch shooter and frequently off passes from Larry.
Effing DJ. What a baller. As I was a teen watching DJ playing for the Celtics I never watched his performance on earlier teams. What an amazing player. Bird and DJ played the mental game. And it was brilliant to watch. RIP DJ. You are missed.
My favorite Player! Intuitive, sharp, focused and capable! God bless 🙏 you DJ! ❤😊✌️
DJ did not have it easy in life, but he worked so hard and made so many clutch plays when it counted. Another Celtic Legend. #3 Forever!
I've never seen this ceremony. Glad DJ got to receive at least some of his well-deserved honors before he passed. Most people remember him as a Celtic, and forget how great he was in Seattle. Until Scottie Pippen came along, DJ may have been the greatest non-center shutdown defender in NBA history. He has never gotten his due respect as one of the true all-time greats.
Wow! As an avid Boston Celtics fan, I've seen most Cs & players' highlights, but this is the first time ever seeing my man Dennis Johnson being honored by having his GREATLY DESERVED #3 raised to the Garden rafters. Growing up as a young kid in Boston during the Larry Bird era, I was a HUGE Bird fan, but my favorite player ever was DJ. Because the greater the stakes, the better DJ played, and the other uncanny thing about DJ is I can't ever remember having watched DJ play and thought, "What a bad play!" or words to that effect, because DJ always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. RIP #3.
According to Bird DJ was his best teammate. Great defensive and clutch player at Boston and all the way back to his days at Seattle. A shame he passed before his Hall of Fame induction ceremony..
Tragic that DJ died so young. Loved to watch him played with the Celts. So many smart players on those teams, so unselfish. Red had a gift over the years to being in vets to play roles, DJ, Tiny Archibald, Pete Maravich, Walton. All stars in their own right but willing to play a role all focused on winning.
RIP DJ
Miss DJ
Goosebumps….from an 80s Lakers fan
Great player on both sides of the ball, joined the Celtics after a great career in Seattle, past his athletic prime but used his intelligence and skills to remain great - like the play against the Pistons where Bird steals the inbounds pass, and he instinctively cuts to the basket to score - two great players making a sensational play to win a playoff game.
He played for the Suns from 1980-1983 before Boston traded for him. Played four years in Seattle before that.
@@allenkelley3411 forgot about the suns years, thanks
@@soulpatrolhawaii5409Dennis didn't. He said And felt he played his best at Phoenix. And I saw his entire career and I agree.
Soooo smart. Fit right in with Boston
Great Player
Criminally underrated!!! DJ was CLUTCH!! He'd bailout Bird when need be!!! Top defender!! He made all defense team 8 years in a row and as you heard gave Magic nightmares!! Love ya DJ!!❤🎉 REST IN PEACE!!
I DIDN'T KNOW THIS. I AM SOOO HAPPY TO SEE THIS. HE ALWAYS LOOKED LIKE A GOOD GUY. AND SMART. I WISH I WOULD HAVE WATCHED BASKETBALL THEN.
Loved watching DJ! Unselfish player who had the burning desire to win.
DJ 3 Time NBA Champion,Finals MVP,5 Time All-Star,9 Time First/Second Teams All Defensive,one of the most underrated players in NBA history I called him the peacemaker of the Celtics DJ and Gus Williams with the Supersonics one of the most underrated backcourt duo's in NBA history
Never discussed enough.
Larry said the best player he played with
@@NBAHistoryCLNS DJ on top of the key, Larry doubling back on the baseline...
Should have won 2 titles with the Sonics. Also had Downtown Freddie on that team.
My favorite Celtic!! RIP DJ
Nothing fancy, but consistent night after night.
These are the guys that are the greats, but never recognized because he did not show boat.
I watched him and never saw him make any mistakes.
DJ was and is still underrated.
This is love. And Boston loved it's Celtic warriors!
DJ was instrumental in the Seattle Super Sonics winning a championship. Glory Days. RIP Dennis.
Finals MVP
Class act❤
I loved that group of guy's
DJ was my all-time favorite player and was in my teens watching the Celtics at that time. Wish the Celtics had a player like him these days!
this brought tears to my eyes .....thank you
Me too and I never saw them play but have watched all of the Celtics videos that have been recommended to me.
Celtics and the Lakers really brought allot of joy into my life.
I was a Celtic fan, but looking back would not of been the same without the Lakers.
DJ was a such a great player and you just knew he would not beat himself.
RIP DJ, I loved watching you play.
So much is overstated or just plain bs in sports, politics, life. Let it be said, Dennis Johnson provided everything any team could ever want from a point guard. Lot of people today don't know, he already had won a ring before coming to Boston.
Now this is a great video. DJ was a critical element in that great. Celtics team. Maybe, the most critical. Bird acknowledged it. A great player and a great man.
My all time favorite NBA player. DJ, RIP
He may not have been in the superstar status as so many, but when it came to basketball IQ , he rose above them all. The most fundamentally sound player in the game. No need to tell him to switch , set a pick, cover someone else in transition, he already knew that before you could point it out. And as far as defense, nobody could get into an offensive players head and disrupt his game like Dennis.
Love and miss DJ!!!! Celtics for ever
When Bird said DJ was the best player he ever played with.. Another underrated player who took way too long to get into the Hall of Fame, but he did get there. He thrived in big games, and he could lock down some of the best players in the league (he was the toughest defender against Magic Johnson). Bird and DJ were one of the best passing duos in NBA history. DJ would throw a bullet, even off the dribble, to Bird in mid air at the exact place and time it had to be there.
I'm glad this came across my feed, have often wondered if this happened. Sad ending to a great player. DJ and Larry had an on field connection that was amazing.
Love him. He completed them
Now, Dennis Johnson was a basketball player. The "scoop" on him was that he was tough on teammates. Of course, the truth was, he needed tougher teammates. Thank goodness he found them.
RIP
Amen
DJ…simply the best! Greatest era in basketball and he was a big part of it..great memories for me ..thank you
Class act!
Tough, intelligent, a real student of the game of basketball. He is really missed.
RIP Dennis
DJ to this day 10-10-23 is the leading guard with blocked shots in finals history. 37 games 39 blocks. # 2 Kobe 37 games 33 blocked . #3 D. Wade 30 #4 M J 23.M. Cooper 20. D. Green 19 Source: Stats Muse.
As I recall a "walk on" at a small college, to a member of one of the greatest basket ball teams of all time.
I have never seen a player with a more beautiful body bounce to dribble than DJ. He would maneuver between defenders with that bounce and dribble with a low center of gravity to set up others at the rim. He was a great outside in, great defender and passer etc. etc he was the defining piece to take the Celtics from a great team to a legendary team.
DJ operated in the wake and take charge of LARRY, KEVIN, ROBERT, DANNY ...... fitting in like a part of the puzzle PERFECTLY. Gone too soon, just a terrific player on a pretty solid winning combination = called Boston Celtics.
RIP DJ. You were a awesome player and a true gentleman. Thanks for the memories.
loved DJ
Felt like a good cry.. my glory in gambling years
Thanks for this video, made my day. RIP DJ.
My ALL TIME favorite Celtics 😍 ❤️ RIP
I was at this game still have the T-shirt they gave everybody at this game!
Dj was a clutch shooter
Yes DJ one of the greatest to this day his plays were great god bless DJ rest easy
RIP Legend
I was a Lakers fan growing up, i hated the Boston Celtics, i hated Larry Bird and i hated Dennis Johnson. DJ like Bird would break ur heart, making smart plays, scoring at the right moments, oh i hated the guy. Today Bird and DJ r the probably the players I respect the most.
This was my very first Celtics game. The crowd noise was unbelievable!
I love DJ! What a smooth shooter and awesome guardian of the ball.
Loved his game, just played ball...
Remember that game winner that Larry made in I think in ‘82 against Phoenix…Larry even told the Suns bench where he’ll take it …After Larry made the game winning last second shot he points to someone from the Suns bench then high fives him.. that was Dennis Johnson still with the Suns before being traded to Boston.
Really? I've never heard that before? I'll have to watch that clip more closely. Thanks.
90's Bulls were incredibly strong, 80's Lakers were skilled and fantastic to watch but 80's Celtics...man...they had it all and there was no team smarter than them
Brought tears to my eyes. ☘️ DJ
LE VI EN VALLADOLID EN EL 63.JUGABA EN LOS SUNS.VINO CON EL COMBINADO NIKE EN SU GIRA EUROPEA
EN EL 82.
D.J was money R.I.P
This gave me chills. Thank you so much for uploading it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
all time great.
Great player... rest in peace brother
..
The best care about one stat: Wins/season.
I of the best Boston Celtics player. D. J.
DJ and Bird looked like two of the most un athletic players on the court, but they were two great players, and had an unbelievable chemistry on the court. RIP DJ.
GENIAL DJ......
He was not a great percentage shooter, but what a clutch player. All he could do was win. There was not anything he would not do to contribute to winning. A tremendous clutch player and champion! Signed a Detroit Pistons fan
I was there for DJ night. December 13th 1991. Great night
DJ joined the Celtics in the same year they won the NBA Title 1984. That shows his impact right there!
The previous year, Philly obtained Moses. After a few close calls, Moses finally put the Sixers over the top.
When Boston got DJ the next season, I (and I believe many others') had a similar feeling about the Celts. What the addition of one missing key, great player can do!
Former World Champion Seattle Supersonic and 3× World Champion Boston Celtic, Number 3 on The Hardwood of Boston Garden, # 1 in the Hearts of all NBA Fans, Dennis Johnson.
If DJ was the point during Larry's rookie season, i truly believed that they could have won the championship. Tiny was good but he had a hero mentality. He had the tendency to do too much for himself.
While I get where you're coming from, please remember that early in his career in Kansas City, coach Bob Cousy felt he had little choice. But to turn Nate loose and get it done offensively. And if nothing else, it kept the Kings fairly competitive and put fans in the seats. And Cousy felt there was at least part of his job to a degree.
I had that same DJ shirt everyone was wearing that night. But I lost it :(
DJ ONE OF FAVORETE PLAYERS ALLTIME MABY THEE FAVORETTE
He would dribble the basketball before each free throw of how many years he was in the league. ie, 3 dribbles for 3 years
Only mistake I can see is that he didn’t fowl magic the minute he got the ball before the hook shot. Would have made him earn it from the line plus if he hit both would have left more time on the clock. But he didn’t, c’est la vie
As a Laker fan I hated DJ...translation ...He was a damn good player
RIP DJ.
*DJ* 💪
Derek White reminds me of DJ.
ua-cam.com/video/WhIOednRqXM/v-deo.htmlsi=6kH5faOboUdLDzTB
RIP DJ God called you too home early
RIP
My favorite Celtics player next to Larry Legend!!!
For myself, it's those two along with John Havlicek.