Larry Bird explains how he knew Dennis Johnson was taking a game seriously: "He's a big game player"

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The Boston Celtics had a powerhouse team back in the 80s, with their leader being the legendary Larry Bird. Among the notable names he had playing alongside him included Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale.

That roster produced several championships for the Cs. The starting point guard on that squad, Dennis Johnson, a three-time NBA champion, won two of those with the Celtics in 1984 and 1986. Bird, on the other hand, won three (1981, 1984 and 1986).

Having played together from 1983 to 1990, Bird admits that Johnson was one of the best players he ever got to play with when he spoke about his teammate in an Uncut interview in his final season in the league.

“DJ is probably the best player I ever played with. Not only because he passes the ball so much to me… he can also make plays,” the three-time Most Valuable Player said.

A Big Game player

Johnson, a five-time All-Star, is undoubtedly someone who can level up his game when he wants to. The Hick from French Lick described how he knew that DJ would be having a good game.

“If you watch DJ play in big games, you see him driving to the hole all the time. That means it’s a big game, DJ is ready to play. [But] If you see DJ standing around outside, just passing it around, not wanting to shoot the basketball…not that he is not into the game. it’s just that he got a different attitude. He’s a big game player,” the nine-time All-Star explained.

DJ was a vital addition to Cs

Given how Johnson could take over when needed, it is no wonder why Bird spoke highly of the 1979 NBA Finals MVP. He pointed out how Johnson could help on both offense and defense, someone who could boost their chances of winning a title.

“We needed a guy to come in and get the shot like he does, play the good defense, and do the all-around game,” Bird quipped.

Johnson retired in 1991 after the Celtics opted not to offer him a new contract. Two years later, he accepted an assistant coach position in Bean Town until 1997. As a Celtic, Johnson averaged 12.6 points, 6.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 541 regular season games.

Backing up Bird’s claim that DJ would turn it up are his numbers in the playoffs. In 109 playoff games with the Celtics, Johnson averaged 16.5 points, 6.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals.