Where would the Celtics, Suns and Sonics have been without DJ?

DJ suddenly passed away at 52 because of a heart attack.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Dennis Johnson, the star NBA guard who was part of three championships and teamed with Larry Bird on one of the great postseason plays, died Thursday after collapsing at the end of his developmental team's practice. He was 52.

Johnson, coach of the Austin Toros, was unconscious and in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived at Austin Convention Center, said Warren Hassinger, spokesman for Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services.

I remember Dennis when he was playing for the Celtics. dj's more known as a streaky shooter. if you look at his shooting percentage, it was very low, especially during 80s era of higher shooting percentage.

but he's clutch, meaning he'll make the game-winning outside shot if bird's doubled.

btw, they used to make fun of him back in the old day, he's the only black guy with freckles raw... lol.

Anyway, here's what the 1988 The Complete Handbook of Pro basketball said about Dennis:

Rock steady... One of the all-time "big game" players... When Bird stole the ball, his cut to the basket and difficult reverse layup in Game 5 vs. Pistons was exclamation point to fantastic play... How many players would have had the sense to do that?... Where would the Celtics be without him?... How could the Suns and Sonics make such terrible deals, dumping DJ?... Hard to believe Lenny Wilkens once called him "a cancer."... Only Celtic to shine in Laker finale, rolling up 33 points... Ultimate team player... Born Sept. 18, 1954, in San Pedro, Cal.... Drafted 29th overall by Sonics in 1976, out of Pepperdine... Earns about $800,000 a season... Was MVP in 1978-79 playoffs... Big and durable, for nine straight years he has been named first- or seond-team All-Defense... If your life depended on one game, this guy would be on the team.

And on the 2000 writeup:

This season will be his last... bothered by sore Achilles early in season and averaged just 10.0 points, lowest since his rookie season... One of the greatest clutch playoff players in NBA history, has made countless big shots to win games... Led Sonics to their only title in 1979 and was named MVP of the playoffs... Spent three turbulent years in Phoenix before Celtics stole him for Rick Robey and two second-round picks in June 1983...

Great article on DJ by Bill Simmons of ESPN: DJ should have made Springfield while still alive

Previous: Remembering DJ's 1986 season:

Where would the Sonics have been without him?... Where would the Suns have been without him?... Where would the Celtics have been without him?... Lost in the expansive shadows of the Celtics' frontline, but DJ was neck-and-neck with Larry Bird for final-round MVP honors until subpar Game 4... Outlived his welcome in Seattle, where coach Lenny Wilkens called him "a cancer" and in Phoenix, where coach John MacLeod said he was disruptive... Hard to believe that about the DJ of today, who is quiet, confident and productive at both ends of the floor... Born Sept. 18, 1954, in San Pedro, Cal.... Drafted 29th overall by Sonics in 1976, out of Pepperdine... Earns $ 782,500 per season... One of 16 children... Was MVP in 1978-79 playoffs.