| 20 February 2010
I can hear the late great Johnny Most now.
“And......Now there's a steal by Bird! Underneath to DJ who lays it in!!...”
The famed Boston Celtics announcer was describing Game 5 of the 1987 playoff series against the Detroit Pistons and Celtics with the series tied at 2-2. Detroit was up by one point late. They simply needed to inbound a pass to get the win.
That’s when Bird stole the pass from Isiah Thomas and slung it over to Dennis Johnson for the easy bucket.
It’s how I often remember Johnson, easily one of the most underrated players – let alone guards – in NBA history from his days in Seattle, Phoenix and eventually those legendary Celtics teams.
In three days, the five-time NBA All-Star will be remembered in a different way.
Johnson passed away on Feb. 22, 2007 from a sudden heart attack.
At the time, Johnson was coaching the Austin Toros of the D-League when he collapsed after practice; rushed to the hospital and could not be revived. It was a very sad occasion all the way around for a Celtics great.
This coming Monday, such greatest will be remembered like Bird to DJ.
The History Black Series - Honoring Black History Month:
February 1: Muhammed Ali
February 2: Gary Payton
February 3: Bo Jackson
February 4: Dr. J
February 5: The Junkyard Dog
February 6: John Starks
February 7: Barry Sanders
February 8: Spud Webb
February 9: Craig Hodges
February 10: The Fab Five
February 11: Ice Man
February 12: Buster Douglas
February 13: Harold Miner
February 14: Reggie Lewis
February 15: Hoop Dreams
February 16: Travis Outlaw
February 17: Rasheed Wallace
February 18: Oil Can Boyd
photo: boston.com
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