| Dennis Johnson |
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Drafted out Pepperdine University by the Seattle SuperSonics , he quickly established himself as one of the best all-around guards in the NBA . Easily recognizable due to his unique appearance (stressed by his reddish hair and Freckles ), he was widely regarded as one of the fiercest defensive players in professional basketball. He was also a smart and precise passer and could score, despite a somewhat unreliable Jump Shot . Johnson won a title with the SuperSonics in 1979 , beating the Washington Bullets in the Finals . Johnson was named MVP of the 1979 Finals. After a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns , during which he was selected once to the All NBA First Team, he rejoined the Boston Celtics who needed a point guard capable of defending Magic Johnson . In Boston, he teamed with Larry Bird , Kevin McHale , Danny Ainge and Robert Parish on the Celtics teams of the '80s , winning two NBA championships ( 1984 , 1986 ). He was hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2002 , but was fired after an 8-16 record. In 2004, he became the first head coach for the Florida Flame in the D-League , but was fired after finishing the season in last place in the standings. He currently is the head coach of the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League . DJ AND LARRY BIRD Larry Bird viewed him as one of his favorite teammates, probably due to Johnson's unselfishness and intelligence on the court. Bird even called Johnson "the best I've ever played with". The two players connected on a very special occasion. During Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics were in a difficult position when the opposing Detroit Pistons had a one-point lead and the possession with few seconds remaining to play. However, Bird managed to steal Isiah Thomas 's pass to Bill Laimbeer and fed a dashing Johnson, who made a difficult lay-up to give Boston a decisive lead. Boston eventually won the series in seven games.
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