Dennis Johnson: He was Larry Bird’s BEST TEAMMATE and Magic Johnson’s TOUGHEST DEFENDER | FPP
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- čas přidán 22. 03. 2024
- He’s one of the greatest players in Boston Celtics History, he won an NBA Finals MVP after leading the Seattle Supersonics to their only NBA Championship and in between that, he spent a few great years with the Phoenix Suns. Dennis Johnson was never supposed to make the NBA, and has a strong case as the most underrated player in NBA history, He was a 5X All Star and made nine consecutive all defensive teams, while only missing the playoffs in his rookie season. He was known for his defense, but was one of the best floor generals on the offensive end as well, and when the games counted DJ showed up. He started his career on the great Sonics teams of the late 70s, playing alongside Gus Williams and Jack Sikma while being coached by the great Lenny WIlkens, then after overstaying his welcome, he teamed up with guys like Walter Davis and Larry Nance during a short stint with the Phoenix Suns, where he put together some of his best individual seasons. But it was at the halfway point of his career when he found the perfect fit after being traded to the Boston Celtics. Dennis Johnson was the glue for the 80s Celtics Dynasty, and for as good as Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish were, they needed Johnson to once again return to the top of the NBA. Johnson’s time in Boston is that of legend, and so was his whole career. He became a hall of famer posthumously, which is unfortunate as he was one of the greatest guards of all time, yet waited 20 years to get into the Naismith Hall of Fame as it was well deserved, but long overdue.
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One of the most underrated players ever. True winner mentality.
Dennis Johnson, Tom Chambers and Moses Malone were the most underrated players in the 1980's
@@lilpenny1982I would add Sidney Moncrief to that list.
@@nocturne311 Definitely. And Jack Sikma too
@@lilpenny1982Alex English to that list. Terry Cummings.
@@mobrown1198 Lots of 1980's Bucks players here listed above.
RIP DJ as a Celtics fan I know how good you were rest easy champ.
Bird and DJ together were basketball's gift to perfection: Talent; Skill; Synchrony; IQ; Chemistry; Tenacity; Cerebral; Work Ethic.
One of my favorite players of all time. He had class too. Dennis Johnson. Dennis and Larry were a great combo.
They manned up against magic and the Celtics
I'm from compton and I also went to Dominguez high school. He used to give back a lot and he donated these basketball courts to my middle school.
I met him and had ice cream with him at the Factoria Mall in Newport (Bellevue, WA). He is one of the nicest athletes I have ever met.
R.I.P. DJ
DJ was so much fun to watch - fast hands, brilliant passer, and the perfect sideman for Bird. Those 2 played like 2 bodies controlled by one mind. He left us way too early.
DJ is legendary🏀 and should've been a First Ballot Hall Of Famer
Yes indeed
Rest in Peace, DJ, you gave us so many great memories. Thank you, my friend.
DJ, like Bird, was a damned smart team player. His job was to feed to whatever teammate got into position to score, and only took the shot himself when the defense on everyone else was too good. An absolute pleasure to watch, and easy to see why Bird called him the best player he ever played with.
Dj was talented and trustworthy t n
Bird loved DJ. They went through a lot of battles during the 1980s together. R.I.P.
Plus the great defense and occasional rebounding by dj
Finally someone recognizes DJ! I’ve been waiting for this vid.
Long over due
Another amazing backcourt defender deserving of a video is Michael Cooper. That Lakers-Celtics rivalry is what brought me into basketball fandom. I love to see less-heralded figures like DJ and hopefully others like Cooper or Scott in the future get their due respect from this generation! Love your channel!
Coop!! I was born in Seattle in 1973, where I grew up. Sonics and Blazers fan. Japanese-American too, and male. I hated the Lakers for KILLING the Sonics and Blazers, but I like and respect Coop!!
Dennis Johnson and Gus Williams was one of the most underrated back courts in NBA history. Got to the finals 2 years in a row and won a title together. Got back to the WCF the year after.
My all time favorite backcourt. They both were interchangable. Both played defense. They were it for the SuperSonics
They were called the rose Royce of guards they magic and other top guards plenty of smoke
And don't forget Downtown Freddie Brown coming off the bench.
@@jimmoore8951 that's right he would have a lot of Three points in today's game
I put them two in the same tank as Frazier and Earl the pearl Monroe West and Gail Goodrich among others
He was tough defensively nine-time defensive all NBA
Great defender and good offensively as well. Walt Frazier like.
@@philb.1502 that's right played against high level guards
Against great guards
I really appreciate this video. Salute to you FPP!
So many fans of Bird don’t realize how disrespectful they are when they imply Bird won or beat other players by himself when you had greats such as DJ, McHale and Parrish by his side.
That's right also the big red head bill Walton
@@AnthonyRobinson-dc3pqTiny Archibald in the early years. Even Pistol Pete for a minute. Danny Ainge was a great shooter and defense guy too.
@@jOKIC1-fk5wh that's right and they deserve credit also because they put in the work Larry wasn't out there by himself 👍
@@jOKIC1-fk5wh that's right and they definitely deserve credit
Another great player that gets overlooked. Thanx.
That overlooked list is getting out of control
Kevin Johnson and Laimbeer should be HOF too.
@@jOKIC1-fk5wh border line but could be 👍
@@jOKIC1-fk5whLaimbeer? Only if you mean Hall of F*ckers.
I was born in Seattle in 1973, where I grew up. Sonics and Blazers fan. Japanese-American and male. I was 6 when the Sonics won the championship. DJ blocked a couple of Kevin Grevey's shots out of the air from 25 feet, and Grevey stopped looking for his shot.
Ridiculously underrated.
Yes sir
DJ is sooooo underrated. Great video! Going to hawk it whenever I see people reacting to '80's Celtics and Bird videos. Bird loved DJ, and always says he was the best player he'd ever played with.
Growing up in Seattle, DJ was my guy... still one of my all time favorites
Great video! DJ was super special and long overdue for a video on his career. 😊👍
I met DJ when he was chosen to coach a now-defunct CBA team in La Crosse, WI. Personable and funny to a point.
love dj... and was hall worthy prior to celtics.. but his transformation at celtics cinched it... He was NOT A PG naturally... MOST his best yrs was as sg... but coming to celts he was asked to transform and be the primary ball handler.... could he now be the 4th option after being the man and finals MVP? bird was not sure at first... but he became the perfect unselfish role player... he went all in on the team concept... and when many teams were going towards a ball dominant pg that gobbled up all the assists.. he and bird created a team culture of sharing the assists in the 5 to 7 pg range.. where you usually had 3 and sometimes 4 players averaging over 5 pg... instead of one At 12 and the next highest at 3 or so... team ball .. and his connection with bird was uncanny. I can only dream what could have been if they got dj a few yrs earlier and bird never got hurt .
Great, great player!❤
He was so fun to watch. He died so young. So sad.
Bird & DJ def....the dynamic duo! DJ was a very smart player! He was crucial to the success of the Celtics!
Yes great guard on both sides of the ball
One of the greatest 1 ,2 punch
Dennis Johnson was one of the most underrated players ever. He was Dwyane Wade before Dwyane Wade because he loves block shots and dunks especially when he played for the Sonics. I wished that he’s still alive back then when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame but it’s too late because he already passed away back in 2007. Thank you Mr. Johnson for the contributions for the game of basketball and Rest In Peace Sir.🙏🙏🙏
The hall waited to damn late as usual people are very tired of that stuff
Anyone else see that under hand full court shot he made just casually 21:16
Yea that was cool as hell
Excellent player
DJ is one of my favorite basketball players ever. A truly solid performer was was essential to the Celtics success in the 80s.
Also for the supersonic s coach Lenny Wilkins
DJ was a terrific two-way guard, similar to Jrue Holiday. Larry Bird said he was his favorite teammate.
Damn this is a good one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, with Boston it's usually Bird, McHale, Parrish being talked about, but in the back of my mind: "What about DJ?" Solid video in paying proper respect to Johnson!
I love the content!! Gives me so much perspective on the GREAT PLAYERS that came before my time!.. I’m only 36.. but I love the game and the rich history!
Good video. Thanks for giving DJ his due. He deserved it. He was aweome.
D.J. and Gus Williams. Loved that backcourt!
Didn't get to see him play because he retired before I was born, but he was a huge snub for the 50th and 75th anniversary teams based on his accolades
The fact that fucking Anthony Davis made it ahead of DJ is beyond me.
@@brandenbyrd5239He did? Wow! I'm pissed now, too.
@@brandenbyrd5239 Davis deserved to be on there though. At the time was 8x All Star and 4x All NBA selection who averaged 23 and 10 per game with 2 blocks as well. Take off Rodman and Earl Monroe and replace them with Dwight Howard and DJ
@@mattcomer6379Anthony Davis deserves to be on the 75th Anniversary Injured Reserve Team. Nothing more
@@mattcomer6379 someone who actually knows basketball
Your videos are very detailed
This is the most informative video I’ve seen on DJ ever! I love what he brought to the table when he played with the Celtics, he was amazeballz!
Bro..I hope u read this. U did a great job! I watched this man's whole career never appreciating any of the things u pointed out. Partly because Magic was my fave player and the Bucks is my team, so I kinda despise ANYTHING Celtic related... But as I got older I've learned to give those dudes credit but overlooked DJ for some reason even tho he played my position. So thanks for this knowledge, all new respect for the Airplane!
I appreciate that
Met him at an Austin toros vs Tulsa 66ers game some reason I was allowed to sit on the bench next to him.
Such a good guy he was fun loving and pulled a prank or two on the ref.
I just remembered he treated me well and it was my first time meeting a hall of famer. He died shortly after and I wish I would have had more time to chat with him.
We loved him up here in Seattle. Father Time is undefeated.
I remember seeing Dennis Johnson as a rookie with the Seattle Supersonics during A regular season game in Seattle versus the trailblazers. This was the year that the Blazers won the title. I had taken a bus up to Seattle with a group of Blazer boosters and watched the Blazers barely beat the sonics and being very impressed with the play of Dennis Johnson. He seemed to be everywhere on the court making plays.
One of my favorite players of all time DJ
By the time he got to the Celtics he seemed to have lost his athleticism. But i do remember him with Seattle and he was very athletic.
He probably didn't want to put wear and tear on his body. In order for him to win chips, he had to sacrifice for the betterment of the team
Your right, they needed him to guard the "Boston Strangler" Andrew Toney. Bird McHale, and Parish were the points for their team.
DJ was nicknamed "Airplane " at Pepperdine. I remember him being used for the jumpball at the beginning of games.@ Pepperdine. He could leap! by the time he got to Boston his knees were giving him trouble.
Dj and Gus the wizard William one of the all time great back courts Williams should be in the hall of fame
@@terrenceliburd8655 before that dj had to slow down the great David Skywalker Thompson magic Johnson world b free and many other great guards of that era
As kid in the late 70s, when the NBA games were taped delayed, I became a Sonics fan in 1978. DJ was one of my favorite players. Just a gritty player.
Larry Bird loved playing with Dennis Johnson! They had a connection that is hard to understand. They made eesch other better
To this day DJ leads all guards for blocked shots in Finals history. 37 games with 39 blocks. #2 Kobie Bryant 37 games 33 blocks. #3 D. Wade 29 games 30 blocks. DJ. One of the Absolute clutch players in Finals history. Source: Statmuse. RIP D.J. 🙏 🙏
Man...that game 7 vs Washington was ROUGH!!
Great video! DJ is possibly the #1 most underrated NBA player all time. Magic Johnson, when asked to compare the several other Johnsons in the league, said DJ was "the toughest Johnson" lol.
I remember
Very good video, thanks for uploading it. Learned a lot about his 70's days. Very cool.
I was a kids when he was with the Suns, love him. My dad got to know his family really well. Every game we went to, back then we were able to stand outside the locker and wait until they came out and get their autograph. So my father would talk to their family's. He also got to know Truck Robison mom and dad also. I cried when the Suns traded him.
Larry Bird always spoke highly of him!
• I love this channel (still hate the background music lol. But the content is so great, I watch and listen anyway)
• The current generations of fans, many, disrespect the past great players,
60’s through 90’s.
The media covering the game had completely changed as well.
• The NBA used to market the game, as well as the players.
Take a look at the old 80’s and 90’s NBA commercials ~ the NBA was the gold standard of basketball. Even when the ratings were significantly lower, the league would still promote the “game” of basketball. One of my favorite commercials about basketball was in the late 70’s “When you’re watching an NBA basketball game, whether live or on television, you are watching 10 basketball players in the world. That’s something. The NBA” ~ dosed with highlights of the best players, most exciting players, multiple commercials showing glimpses of all the players and the moves and the uniforms.
For a young basketball fan such as myself, I remember full well, waiting up late night to catch the Finals on tape delay.
I can remember the CBS Sunday games, even before NBC. I can remember watching some Saturday afternoon games in the Wide World of Sports.
The league, the marketing, the “game” has grown immensely since then.
I can still remember watching the 70’s All-Star games with my dad and my uncles, how everyone was excited to watch the great players of the game!
When I saw his assist to bird off the backboard 🔥🔥🔥
It's always sad when the invitation to the HOF arrives after one has already passed away.
I don't like that bs either. Give them their flowers while they are still alive.
What did Mike say?? “Tell ya boy DJ, I got something for him!!” 😂😂
19:50 I knew DJ wore 24 with Seattle and Phoenix, and 3 with Boston. I didn't know that he changed to 3 with Phoenix!
DJ was money, especially in Seattle w/ Gus. To think this guy was not even highly recruited coming out of high school is amazing. He was such a great player. He could get up (hops).
Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson were one of the greatest guard combos of All-Time. Gus Williams averaged 29 pts per game and Dennis Johnson averaged 22.6 points per game during the 1979 Finals. DJ won MVP, but I think they should have both been voted Co-MVPs. What made Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson so special was that they could both do it on both ends of the court. In fact, when Gus Williams retired in 1987, he was the All-Time NBA steals leader. They should have kept that team together.....could have possibly won another title together.
DJ was an excellent basketball player, he was a money time player
I went to DJ night at the Garden on December 13th 1991 vs Seattle. Great night ! I was 18 and I went with this really nice girl. Unfortunately my buddy really likes her so I didn't pursue anything. I regret that :) But it was a great night for a great player. I was watching another podcast and I guess in 1987 DJ was involved in an investigation going back to the early 80's in Phoenix and Oakland I guess concerning a cocaine and point shaving scandal. It was mainly Suns players from that era most notable Walter Davis. It also involved Jack Sikma and stiff Paul Mokeski. I did realize before coming to Boston he had some issues - but I didn't realize it was of that extent. Im gonna have to do more research and reading on it. Great video by the way
Please do an episode on Terry Porter.
I didn't know that he was drafted by Bill Russell. That adds to both of their legends.
Nice work!
Beautiful video - packed with information and superior game clips
And a really eloquent argument for the greatness of this man ! The only thing missing (edit possibility) is some testimony from Bird
DJ was absolutely snubbed off the NBA 75th anniversary team
by gawd id take dennis johnson over dame all day. DJ was consistent in the playoffs his whole career! before MJ and wade DJ was blocking shots at 6'3. 7 blocks for a guard in an nba finals game? don't tell me he was playing against plumbers
Yes indeed
I put prime DJ up against anyone
Loved the Celtics and big respect for DJ but he is NOT a top 75 player of all time. In fact, you would have a hard time justifying that he was top 75 in his era.
Or firemen!
Certainly a very underrated legend, but Mchale was no slouch either. I think a conversation about who was the best player between them is an interesting one.
He was forklift certified so you know he was legit 😊
✊🏽 solidarity
Supersonic's Dennis Johnson was awsome in the finals against the Washington Bullets.
Top 10 defensive player ever
Please do a profile on the self-proclaimed Jordan stopper Gerald Wilkins Dominique 'brother.
That Seattle back court is one of the league’s best ever, Dj should have been in the HOF, in one a title before got to the Celtics
Legend.....🎉
Man U pumping em out baby! A few I would love to see:
Tracy mcgrady
Steve Nash
Great worker and, besides, highly talented player.
Thank you 😊
Favorite player of mine!
During the Celtics peak with Bird all my friends were all talking Bird/Magic and when I was asked who I liked the most (15 years old at the time) my answer was DJ.
They all kind of stopped talking for second then they all said well "Well yeah, we know why. You two are the same sorta."
Although I led the team in scoring the year before in JR High (Jr high was 7-9th graders back then) during my 8th grade season I preferred to play Defense and run the offense through good passes. The dirty work/trash was what I loved so they all knew it.
Players like DJ are the foundation of a winning team. Sure a team needs an offensive star but the DJ's of the world are what makes great teams and he was my Idol along with Bobby Jones of the Sixers (but more DJ).
He was so good...winner 😊
Dennis Johnson was my mom's favorite player. Most people don't know that the Supersonics won a championship, let alone the fact that the NBA was tape delayed.
After Larry whipped that pass to DJ for the game winning layup in Game 5 of the 87 ECF guess what Dennis did?.. he raised both hands to play defense
Just asking do you plan on cover other sports like MLB and NHL?
Dennis taught me how to block a shot, you put your hand where the ball is going not where it is.
I think Bird was asked what teammate you would take first from your Boston team and it was DJ. It makes sense. Larry was a big guy that could rebound and score. DJ was quick and could defend smaller quick players. Dj offered things Larry just couldn't do.
It would be cool to do a forgotten profiles march madness version
SPECTACULAR video!
Watch
They were a top 10 offense in 88-89, but NOT a top 10 defense - they were ranked 20th of 25 teams in defense that year.
What is the name of the background music? This gives a smooth old school hoops vibe
Check the video description. I link it in every video description
Two great dynasties in one decade. Celtics and Lakers of the 1980s. Lakers 5 and Celtics 3.
Love love how he pats his chest waiting for bird to give him some love after THE STEAL
Funny how every star player who leaves Seattle is labeled a cancer but never the coaches or GMs.
Am I trippin or does DJ look like Tyrese Haliburton of the 70’s and 80’s?? I’m not talking about their play style, but their looks..
ehh kinda ...back in 90s mark Jackson kinda reminded me of dennis johnson
May I suggest Walter Davis or Michael Adams. Adams 90/91 season was remarkable.
Do one on David Wolf
17:45 Haha!! Rich Kelley!!
I remember Walt Frazier talking abt having respect for DJ’s defense. So for Jordan to get 63pts on DJ, that said a lot.
Yes pistol Pete scored 68 points on Walt Frazier and the Knicks
@@AnthonyRobinson-dc3pq what’s your point? Frazier was a great player. Pistol Pete was an amazing scorer.
@@laviebanale they both are great and Hall of famers two of my favorites
@@laviebanale I'm saying that pistol Pete scored 68 points on one of the greatest defensive guard Walt Frazier and team the new York Knicks
What a great era of basketball…
We were treated to the Celtics’ 4 finals MVPs in Bird, Maxwell, Walton, and DJ (not to mention McHale and Parish)
versus
The Lakers’ 3 finals MVPs in Kareem, Magic, and Worthy. (Not to mention a league in Mcadoo and All Defensive team player Cooper)
But the NBA didn’t have super teams until LBJ went to Miami 😳🤔🤨
Difference is LeBron left his own team as the #1 player in the league to team up with Wade a top #5 player and Bosh a top #10 player. No trades involved... Thats a superteam
A super team is a stacked team. How those teams became stacked is not relevant.
The fact that college athletes had to apply for hardship to go to the NBA was crazy.
He played for “the Seahawks?” 😆😂Now THAT would have been something. He probably would’ve been a great QB.