AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Dennis Johnson, who played on three championship teams in 14 seasons in the NBA, died on an apparent heart attack at 52 in Austin, Texas, Thursday.
Johnson was coaching the Austin Toros of the NBA's Development League. He collapsed near the end of a practice session.
He played for Seattle, Phoenix and Boston during a career in which he was named to the All-Star team five times. He was part of the Seattle championship team in 1979 and the Boston teams that won the title in 1984 and 1986.
Johnson -- known throughout his days in the NBA as "D.J." -- was selected as the Championship Series MVP in 1979.
"Whether he was leading his teams to NBA championships or teaching young men the meaning of professionalism, Dennis Johnson's contributions to the game went far beyond the basketball court," NBA Commissioner David Stern said.
