Most underrated Celtic of all-time. Such an unselfish player. Superb defender. He could do it all.

@sevenseas337

2 жыл бұрын

He wasn't underrated. Everyone knew DJ

@chrispaschal7955

Жыл бұрын

No doubt about it!

@thomassandman6950

9 күн бұрын

DJ could do it all. My candidate for best all around guard who ever played the game.

DJ was a quick thinker and that's why he meshed so well with Bird. Quick, Quick, Quick. Bird does something, DJ understands. DJ does something, Bird understands. Thats why they won championships. Surveys the defense, makes the high% decision. As a kid, waiting for the evening Celtics game was the most anticpated thing. Better than a comic book.

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.

@klicknkreate7077

3 жыл бұрын

Dj was one of the best PGs ever!

DJ was sooo underrated by everyone, except by Bird and the rest of the Celtics and their fans. Incredibly smart player, blessed with fast hands - he could do just about everything on court.

@meminustherandomgooglenumbers

9 ай бұрын

He was very well respected as a player during his career, although I heard he had some baggage from his early years, a reputation as a hothead or something. But he also had a ring as a starter from before joining the Celts, and had been winning all-defense awards pretty much annually since 1979. He might get overlooked by some in younger generations because his 14ppg and 5apg career averages don’t stand out, but part of that is cuz he played half his career at shooting guard and the other half at point.

@piemuggs

6 ай бұрын

Everything except dunk. Just kidding. I watched this video hoping to see if he ever dunked though. Not that he needed to, just realized I had never seen it. Anyone ever see him throw it down?

Both men had outstanding vision ....Dennis and Larry thought alike, played alike, understood each other and complimented each other and I submit the best duel to ever play in the NBA. What is truly amazing is their passing abilities and how quickly both men reacted and again that is because of their vision and Mr. Johnson is MORE deserving an NBA HOF.

One of the all-time greats, NBA finals MVP, NBA Champion with 2 teams. Who else did that and of course Bird knew how good he was, "the best I ever played with".

Who wouldn't want DJ on their team. A Boston LEGEND.

Bird loved DJ. He said everyone thinks I made them a better player. When DJ got here he made me a better player.

DJ most under rated yet one of the very top point guards. Should have been first ballot hall of fame and should have been in every all star game.

DJ was Boston’s answer to Andrew Toney. He was a top tier, lockdown defender when teams actually played defense. And he was just as clutch as Bird. If the clock was running down and the Celtics needed a bucket, Bird and DJ were options 1A and 1B. All these years later, I’ll bet Magic still has nightmares about DJ.

Dennis Johnson could have easily averaged 18 points per game when he was a Celtic, but his play as a complimentary scorer to the bigger guns was his true role. DJ was Magic's toughest defender. One of the most underappreciated players ever.

@waynemarvin5661

Жыл бұрын

Finally! Yes, DJ could have been "underappreciated" by many. Thanks for not saying he was "Underrated".

Flawless player, DJ was a gentleman and a killer competitor with an exceptional IQ. He was Bird's favorite player for a reason. RIP DJ.

@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344

3 ай бұрын

Dennis Johnson and Bird just knew.

Dennis Johnson is one of the best point guards ever when you consider his ability to make other players better (like Larry Bird), his ability to defend at a high level, and his ability to be so clutch when it mattered most. He's a finals MVP, a 3 time champ, and Larry Bird calls DJ the best player he ever played with. That's high praise coming from Larry Bird.

I am a lifelong Philadelphia 76ers fan and I could tell you Dennis Johnson was a great player.

@thepunditspundit1776

3 жыл бұрын

Tell you this. As a Celtics and Bird fan in the 80s, I loved me some DJ. That said, watching these all over again, I think the Sixers would have won another title or two if DJ was in Philly. I always thought that the Sixers were missing that one piece after 83 and Doc aging

@mikegarrigues9397

3 жыл бұрын

@@thepunditspundit1776 The problem with my 76ers back then was ownership. He was so cheap and stuck his nose in and destroyed the championship team.

I don't know how Red Auerbach picked up DJ for Rick Robey. It was one of his biggest steals. Dennis Johnson was one of the best clutch players of all time. I just remember with his long arms he could pick a players pocket so easily. He left us to soon . RIP DJ GOD BLESS !

@joelluongo7419

9 ай бұрын

I think DJ had issues with his coach.. just before the Celtics traded for him.

I remember seeing Dennis Johnson in a pre season game his rookie year in Spokane in 1974 when DJ was playing for the Sonics. The coach was Bill Russell. I was not impressed with DJ and thought he would not make the team and of course wouldn't be a star in the NBA. That's how much I knew about talent!! DJ turned out to be one of the best in the world. He was a clean, hard nosed player who always seemed to be able to score when it was needed. He never looked to start a fight, but he never backed down either.

Imagine suiting up to face McHale, Bird, Parrish, Johnson, Angela. And at various times seeing Walton, Sichsting, Robie, Wedman...the list goes on...Maxwell, Carr, Henderson.

@knightxd4

Жыл бұрын

Can you imagine adding Len Bias... What if...

Dennis Johnson such a great player.

DJ is my favorite Celtics. Yes, over McHale, Bird, Parish. So clutch.

@tonygajate5780

2 жыл бұрын

I fell in love with him in 1979 when he won the finals MVP, he did it all. I was 76er fan back then feeling the pain when he would hit Bird backdoor over and over and oh yeah he was so clutch, he was just gonna make the right play, the ball is DJs hands was a safe place

People forget that DJ was a champion before his Celtic days and was the finals MVP for that Sonics team that won it all 79. Those Celtics teams built so meticulously by Red were perfectly oiled machines.

DJ one of the most underrated pg

1:46 DJ jumped back with his hands up to block Moses layup before he even did it, great basketball IQ. Underrated legend and all time great defensive guard. RIP Dennis Johnson 🏆3☘️

Simply sound skills and tenacity in both directions. DJ was awesome. Gone way too soon.

a sometimes forgotten cog in the Celtics wheel. great vid. thank you. RIP DJ.

@juniorjohnson9509

3 жыл бұрын

NOT forgotten by Celtics fans!

The Eastern conference was so talented back then.

@klicknkreate7077

3 жыл бұрын

Boston, Philly, Milwaukee, Atlanta, etc...

I really enjoy watching dj play. He always made it so he was part of whatever play was happening. Not to mention the fact that he wasn’t the biggest guy on the court, but would defend against bigger players as if it was his duty. You always had to watch him because you never knew where he was gonna be or what he was gonna do. Respect for Dennis Johnson. Rest in peace brother. Never wasting a second to try to show off fancy moves. He was humble, efficient, and his team all appreciated what he did for them.

DJ was amazing to watch.

DJ is one of my favorite players of all time. He played perfectly.❤

Besides being a great point guard this guy rebounding was too underrated, DJ was a very good defender also

The late great DJ. RIP

DJ was gifted with god like eye-hand coordination. He was also completely aware of everything, fearless and cold blooded. That he cut to the basket when Bird stole the ball against the Pistons and made that layup shows you everything. He was clutch in ways only Bird explain.

@lawrencekokjr.1376

3 жыл бұрын

He was John Stockton but on a better team.

@camoss3724

3 жыл бұрын

Very true. A lot of guys would have just stood there after Bird made that steal. DJ had the presence of mind to make himself available.

No wonder Charles has never forgotten DJ! DJ was every Celtics’ favourite. He made everybody better.

I know I write this in comments a lot, but Dennis Johnson was my mom's favorite player. That was a long time ago.

The great DJ ☘️🏀

DJ such a perfect perfect fit for that team!

I recall a playoff game against the Lakers when DJ was with the Suns. The Suns team was completely outmanned, but in one of the games, DJ just refused to let his team lose by force of sheer will. When I heard that the Celtics traded Rick Robey and Gerald Henderson for DJ, I was stunned . . . Colangelo got "Auerbached." LOL!

@juniorjohnson9509

3 жыл бұрын

One of the best trades that Red ever engineered somehow.

@philiptangatue

2 жыл бұрын

They didn't even trade Henderson there. The Trade was Rick Robey and a second rounder for DJ and a first rounder (Greg Kite). So yes, it seemed that either Colangelo was desperate to get rid of DJ or wanted Robey so badly

@philiptangatue

2 жыл бұрын

Henderson and Johnson were the starting Celtics backcourt in 1983-84. Henderson was traded to Seattle for a first rounder (which became Len Bias) in the summer of 84, then Ainge became the full time starter.

The Greatest Rebounding and Defensive Point Guard of all time!

DJ Celtic great

In my mind, in order to achieve "legendary" status, Not only do you have to possess great skills, You also have to have a mind for the entire game. DJ imo was / is underrated. This is why DJ & Bird were able to click so well together. Example: 2:19 Bird from DJ touch pass to the basket Larry got them all in the zone. Some were better at receiving than others. 86 Celts were a prime example of "team play". Lakers were right behind them. /.

The force the original DJ

I love D.J. so good and so underrated.

Un grande del basket.....

Bird called DJ the best basketball player he ever played with!

@klicknkreate7077

3 жыл бұрын

DJ made Bird better!

Always clutch. One of my favorites of all time

Sweet vid 👍 I’m a little surprised to not see The Layup. But on the other hand, everyone has probably already seen it a hundred times.👍

Put DJ in the HOF!

@RiM2540

3 жыл бұрын

Don’t worry, he is

@Amick44

3 жыл бұрын

@@RiM2540 yeah, but they suuuure too long in getting him in. Ditto for Bernard King.

@waynemarvin5661

Жыл бұрын

He is in the Hall of Fame. Since 2010. Three years after his tragic death.

So many comments about how DJ is "underrated". Underrated by whom? He's in the God Damned Hall of Fame!!! Just because YOU aren't familiar with him, doesn't mean he's "underrated".

@cindyknudson2715

9 ай бұрын

And, conversely, just because you know how great he was doesn't mean that the general public nor even the majority of basketball fans know how EXCEPTIONAL he was.

Miss you unc wish I would have got to see you play in person man!

Silky smooth

DJ moved like a ninja!

Good video! Thank you for highlighting DJ. I was hoping to see his amazing Iooooong range shots too tho.

Dennis Johnson was the best in making plays next to Larry Bird.

My favorite play of all time by Larry Byrd, cutting off the Isiah Thomas inbounds pass, would not have been so amazing if DJ wasn't right there to put the ball in the basket.

Phenomenal player

My mom liked the NBA. I wasn't a fan, but she always had the games on so by osmosis I knew the players.

Dj went to the NBA finals in 78 and 79. was mvp in 79

Still makes me mad as fire that DJ wasn't able to attend his own induction into the HOF. If he'd lived another ten or more years would they have allowed another year, and another year, and another year to go by continuing to ignore him? He should have made the class two decades ago.

Larry Bird said that Dennis Johnson was the smartest player that he ever played with. End of conversation.

It looks so different than the constant traveling in todays game. There isn't a single triple step back, or double hop on the same foot, or carry in the whole video.

😘💚🍀👏

I am totally surprised that the NBA didn't put a gag order on this video since it shows highlights of Michael Jordan being defended against the great defense of DJ.

Dj is a defensive guard

some guys can just play

The least “Flashy”Player ever !

33

...and 22

Dj

Fred van vleet

00

@waynemarvin5661

Жыл бұрын

00 was Parrish.

Talking about the big 3 dennis was better than parish and mchale

@Amick44

3 жыл бұрын

Yes he was.

@randysandberg5615

3 жыл бұрын

Hard to say because Parish and McHale played different positions than DJ. All 3 are HOF material.

NBA now is garbage. Just one play- 3 points. No passing no defense, just stand back and shoot 3 points all day.

The distinct slash opportunely delight because footnote minimally gather regarding a nippy board. therapeutic, craven plow

32