Dennis Johnson (born September 18, 1954 in San Pedro, California) is a former pro basketball player and coach. 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). In his career, Johnson played in five NBA All-Star games, and was named to the All-Defensive First Team six times and the All-Defensive Second Team three times.
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.
