Former NBA star Dennis Johnson dies at 52

By JIM VERTUNO, AP Sports Writer
February 22, 2007



AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Dennis Johnson, the star NBA guard who was part of three championship teams, died Thursday after collapsing at the end of practice. He was 52.

Johnson, coach of the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League, died at a hospital, D-League spokesman Kent Partridge said. Mayra Freeman, a spokeswoman for the Travis County medical examiner's office, said there will be autopsy.

Johnson, a five-time All-Star and one of the great defensive guards, played on title teams with the Boston Celtics and Seattle SuperSonics. He played 14 seasons, retiring after the 1989-90 season. He was the NBA Finals MVP in 1979 with Seattle, with his other titles coming with Boston in 1984 and 1986.

Johnson finished off one of the more famous plays in NBA playoff history. In Game 5 of the 1987 conference finals against Detroit, Larry Bird stole an inbounds pass and hit a streaking Johnson for the winning layup.

"Dennis was a great player, one of the best teammates I ever had, and a wonderful person," said Bird, now president of the Indiana Pacers. "My thoughts and condolences are with his family at this difficult time."



http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-obit-johnson&prov=ap&type=lgns

that's terrible

I used to love to watch him play. He never had the numbers like Bird or McHale, but he was fun to watch. He always seemed to be really enjoying what he was doing.

If he has any children, SPRINT them to a cardiologist pronto, because they might need to get some preventitive heart care.

may he rest in peace.

What a loss. 52?!
My condolences to the family....
And our Toro's were finally building some popularity.

this is bad.