Dennis Johnson, why is he not a hall of fame player?

Question

It's so sad when a class act like that passes way before his time, and I've read a couple of things about him and the teams he played with...plus I'm old enough to remember those Celtic teams...I just can't believe he's not a Hall of Fame Player. Remember when Bird stold that inbound pass vs the Lakers and hit DJ for the lay-in...everytime i see it I have to think "what a tough shot in the clutch".

Answer 1

Dennis' career was of HOF quality, although obviously it's much tougher to make it primarily as a defender than as a scorer.

Johnson was first team all-defense six times, and 2nd team all defense 3 times.

Plus, the guy was a winner. A lot of not-so-flashy guys seem to end up in the right place at the right time, and Johnson was one of those players.

He's much, much more qualified for the HOF than someone like Robert Horry, and I see a lot of stuff here on Answers that Horry should be in the HOF (when he retires of course).

And yes, Bird's steal was only half the story of that play...the other was Johnson having the presence of mind to cut to the hoop... easy to do, some people say... but in that tape, you can also see the Celtics' other guard, Jerry Sichting right there, wide open, and he just froze right up, didn't want the ball in that situation. Bird, of course, knowing where everyone is on the court, found Johnson easily and Johnson converted the layup...not an easy shot actually, under the circumstances.

Johnson was also one of the smartest players ever to play the game. But again, when you make your living as a defensive stopper, recognition does not come as easily.

Fact is, the Celtics acquired Johnson for the sole purpose of having SOMEONE who could guard Andrew Toney of the 76ers. Toney destroyed the Celtics in the 82 playoffs, and Johnson was the Celtics answer for Toney.

The biggest coaching decision of the 84 finals was KC Jones deciding to put Dennis on Magic beginning in the 4th game. Magic was no longer able to run wild after that, with Dennis smothering him for the rest of that series. And Dennis then chipped in with a quiet 20 points in game 7.

Dennis Johnson was the kind of player you had to see every day in order to appreciate him. Fortunately, I had a satellite dish in those days, and used to watch about 70 Laker and Celtic games every year (in the mid-late 80s)... so I got to see him play an awful lot during those years. Of course, people who never saw him play are just going to look at his statistical line and say he's a bit short of HOF qualifications (as if they know what HOF qualifications are to begin with).

There's a reason why so many Celtics from the 60s are in the HOF, and it's not (usually) because of their statistical line... they simply were winners. As was Dennis Johnson. It is too bad that he never got the recognition he deserved, but perhaps that's the way he wanted it. He wasn't a trash talker, he just went out and got the job done every night. He was also durable, missing less than 4 games/year on average, over his 14 year career.

Answer 2

Tweety, I couldn't have said it better myself. Its a disgrace to the game of basketball that DJ is not in the HOF.


What he brought to the game trascended numbers and stats. He was simply one of the greatest clutch players who was not afraid to take the big shot.

The one DJ moment that stands out for me ,other than that layup in '87, was in game 4 of the 1985 finals ( I lost alot of money on that series, lol ).

The Lakers had stolen the Celtics home court advantage, and now with the new 2-3-2 format, had to go to LA, and possibly not return to Boston. After losing game 3, the Celtics were down 2-1 with two more to play at LA.

With the game tied at 105, everyone in the building knew who was taking the last shot . After getting the ball, Bird was immediately sandwiched with only 5 seconds left. He spotted DJ at the top of the key and got the ball to him. DJ fired it up and made it at the buzzer to even the series.

Is it DJ's fault that he played on a team where winning meant more than personal accomplishments? Where stats meant nothing? Where you have HOF'ers Parish and McHale and maybe the greatest player ever, Larry Bird to supply your offense?

Larry Bird once said that Dennis Johnson was the greatest teammate he ever played with.

The league needs to do the right thing and put DJ in the HOF!!

Answer 3

lets be realistic here

sure he got a finals MVP for the sonics and had some nice moments but he was a 14 point scorer and known more for his defense

he just doesn't have the resume to get into the HOF

he was very solid but not spectacular

Answer 4

yeah it is but he will b in the hall of fame soon

Answer 5

never the star

Answer 6

because he sucks