Dennis Johnson to Larry Bird Tribute - On-Court Chemistry (The Secret Play) Book of Basketball 

That last pass, bouncing ball of the board for Bird to rebound, was the work of a genius.

In 1974 Larry Bird was my P.E assistant when I was in the 8th grade and he was a senior at Springs Valley High School. At the beginning of each P.E. class we always ran 10 warmup laps around the gym. One day, a trampoline was set up on the basketball court and there was Larry Bird bouncing on it. As the whistle blew and we reluctantly lined up to run our laps, our teacher (who was also Larry's basketball coach) blew his whistle, and said "Larry is going to take 10 shots while jumping on the trampoline. If Larry makes any shots, each one made will delete a lap that you must run." Coach threw the ball to Larry and right there in front of me and the entire boys Jr. High P.E. class, Larry proceeded to hit 7 out of 10 shots while bouncing up and down on the trampoline, 40 feet away from the goal. Larry set an incredible example for me as a young boy in French Lick, Indiana that helped me through my entire adult career. If you are willing to work very hard and never give up, your dreams can and will come true. Thank you Larry.

Dennis Johnson was not only a great player, but he was also a wonderful character, in a world where sometimes people are a bit stale. Rest In Peace Dennis. You are missed.

Glorious video. DJ was criminally underrated. Fantastic talent and amazing basketball IQ. The perfect point guard. So glad he made the HoF.

I used to love watching the Boston Celtics play in order to see the talents of Larry Bird. In the process I discovered the many talents of Dennis Johnson. To me DJ ranked among the top ten guards who ever played NBA basketball. Both he and Bird assisted each other in attaining greatness. I honor DJ not only for his basketball proficiency but also for his humanity. May his spirit join those residing in God’s Heavenly Paradise.

Best backdoor lay up in the history of the NBA!!! RIP D.J.

Watched those two guys play, and when either one got the ball and locked eyes, it was goodbye basket, never saw such chemistry between two such men. They made basketball in the 80's something else that you will not see in today's game. It was mesmerizing to watch DJ and Larry work the floor. RIP DJ, you earned a great rest. Gonna miss ya'.

It REALLY saddens me that Dennis Johnson could not be there for his enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame!!! Rest in peace DJ!

Dennis came to the Celts in 84. Celts go to the finals the next four years and Bird wins three MVP's in a row.

Man, that pass off the backboard was a thing of beauty. WOW

Rest in Peace DJ. Celtics fans will always love you.

Dennis Johnson was a underrated player and he fited in perfectly with the celtics .

Great tribute to DJ. What a fantastic player! He made every team better.

Dennis Johnson was an amazing all around player. One of my favorites of all time along with Russell, Bird. Great team players that made watching the game fun. Today’s NBA is a bore.

I had never seen that last play before. Wow

there is great beauty in seeing two professional technicians at the height of their game communicating so seamlessly without a word.

Johnson could put velocity on the ball with pin point accuracy.... the guy was amazing! Bird... I think he had the best hands I've ever seen too. Johnson must have been so happy when Bird came along.... finally someone that could handle his passing.

Never liked Boston (because they beat my Lakers so many times until Showtime), but always appreciated freckle face DJ. He was so cool under pressure, and made so many clutch plays. Shocked when him and Pistol Pete passed away. Both had strong faith so I hope to meet them in Christ's eternal Kingdom.

D.J.'s speed and accuracy throwing the ball.... and Bird's extremely good hands made those plays work.

watched him shine in the finals as a Sonic and as a Celtic, he was a flat out winner, both ends, played the game the right way, a killer

Growin up, i always admire DJ's intelligence and skills. A perfect pointguard for Bird and Mchale. Rest in peace DJ.

The DJ-to-Bird pass was so danged effective, and done so often, that you would have thought that the other teams would have been more conscientious about never turning their back on DJ when trying ( emphasis on "trying") to guard Bird.

Bird was in constant motion so the defender had to keep his eyes on Larry which meant he wasn't looking to block that bullet pass from DJ. And Bird had such great hands that he could lay it up right or left hand, or right hand on the left side or however else he felt like it!!

DJ is one of the most underrated players ever. It's not as pretty as lebron, but I'd pick larry to win 7 out 10 games if both of them were given equal teams...

Such humble, level headed players. True role models.

I am unsure which is more amazing, the accuracy and speed of DJ's passes or Bird's amazing feathery hands and his lightning release of those layups. What an unstoppable move!

DJ had a one of a kind career. Started off as a multiple all star, finals mvp shooting guard averaging about twenty ppg . Then in the latter part of his career he unselfishly transforms his game to become a starting pg on a couple of championship teams where he plays the background to the most dominate frontcourt in NBA history. Was also one of the best defensive guards throughout his career.

DJ is one of most underrated plyrs to vever play,period!..Not many plyrs were on his level as far as efficient and effective WINNERS..and ,to this day, he is one of the best defensive PGs ever..The ones that know,KNOW

I actually thought this channel was made by Bill Simmons when I first found it, that's how great the quality of the videos are. Great finds for footage, great editing, great music! Love your work!

Great stuff! That play was very impactful for those Celtics; Bird would cut through screens and if the defender was caught sleeping or thought that Larry was gonna pop-out on the other side for the jumper, Dennis would just throw that bullet pass for Bird in the paint... So simple and yet so amazing and important. That one off the backboard is unreal. Those two had great chemistry between them, on the court. DJ developed into a very smart, really good PG/passer in his later years, after losing some athleticism, after getting heavier... RIP.

It's funny how a guy will say someone was the best they played with or against and it's often times not who you'd expect. Payton said Stockton was the toughest opponent he ever faced. You'd think MJ or someone else even. You'd think Bird's best teammate was McHale, but it was DJ. They are in the trenches with these guys and so they know firsthand. DJ doesn't get the love but he was a great PG no doubt.

I remember these plays. Parish and Bird used to run another great play where Parish would appear as if he was setting a baseline pick for Bird and then instantly cut back towards the basket. Bird would lob it over the defenders and Parish would have an easy dunk, or if McHale's defender came to help, he would touch pass it to McHale. It looked effortless. Of course we tried to copy it for our summer pickup games. That Celts team was incredible.

I wish all basketball players would watch this and not the players today. Back then it was team ball and not hero ball

Loved DJ in Seattle and Boston. Very underrated overlooked , great player. God rest your soul Dennis johnson.

Grew up in Massachusetts during the ‘80s. Loved the Celtics and DJ was my favorite. Such a cool, controlled player, he is what made the Celtics go. So sad when he passed. He was the best!

Happy Birthday to Mr.Johnson.9-18-54.San Pedro,CA.Celtics 4 life

They were both clutch performers. Never let the stage get to them. Indeed, DJ upped his game a lot in the playoffs. Veteran. He knew how to pace himself.

Dude, the quality of your videos is AMAZING. Thanks for doing them, keep up the great work!

I don't want to hear anymore B.S. about how the Bulls were the greatest team of all-time. The 1986 Celtics were a well oiled machine. Best I've ever seen

Great idea for a compilation! Loved this one.

How about the 'secret defensive play' against the Detroit Pistons? Bird steals the ball, passes to DJ, DJ scores. Arguably the greatest defensive play ever.

One thing they forgot to add in the clips which I think is the best of them all was this 1987 playoffs clutch play and the commentary went a little something like this: "Now there's a steal by Bird! Underneath to DJ who lays it in!". You see, one half of that iconic play was obviously Larry Bird stealing the ball but the other half was DJ having a split-second reaction to Larry Bird. If DJ was a fraction slower then the defense recovers and he doesn't get an open layup or worse Larry Bird turns it back over because he was teetering on the edge of the baseline. That's the thing about these two. They seem to be two parts of the same player.

THIS is why Bird said Dennis Johnson was "definitely" the best player he ever played with.

I'm using that backboard pass. I like that one

Oh my God. I am huge Larry Bird fan and I never realized that play was so good and DJ was so good. Thanks for posting this . I learned something new today. Those were my glory days of watching the NBA

Bird has to wait until the last second before he moves his hands up to catch the pass... he HAS TO make it look like he is just *passing through* the lane.... If you watch closely . DJ's passes are ALWAYS in the exact spot it has to be... it can not be off any more than 6" to 8" to work .. simply incredible ..!!! ((Many of those passes whizz right by the defenders body or head by inches... 👍👍👍 AND if Bitd raises his hands to quickly, or changes body position to early, it won't work.. Reminds me a bit of a fade rout in football...

DJ could do it all, especially when it counted the most. Poise under pressure.

Please keep making these videos. They are incredible.

I don't recall having seen the play at 2:44 but I'm definitely not surprised, considering the awareness and quickness of them both. Also, Bird shot to the backboard himself at least one time. Genius of Bird.

Great video. Bird's steal to DJ'S layup against the Pistons in Game 5 of the ECF on 5/26/1987 needs mentioning.

Sad that Dennis Johnson is no longer here, he would have enjoyed the many stories together with old teammates. Great player, and made the whole Celtics team great and greater

Absolutely fantastic fundamental team basketball. Pure basketball chemistry with those two. Glad DJ finally got his spot in Springfield.

2:52 Laimbeer just standing there going DUUUH!!

RIP DJ

I lived in AZ when the SUNS traded DJ to the CELTICS for RICK ROBEY I believe and it could be the WORST TRADE in NBA history! Let's change that as it WAS THE WORST TRADE IN HISTORY! The only guy who could guard MAGIC at the time was DJ and they trade him ??? They never had a shot at beating the LAKERS after that and DJ made BOSTON so much better immediately!

In the finals series against the Lakers, DJ was moved to guard Magic and it turned out to be a key move, which helped shut down Magic and it got the Celtics back into the series. DJ was an underrated defensive player and was such a threat on offense. Besides passing, he would drive down the middle, or pull up with a mid range jumper that was simply money.

After awhile it wasn't much of a secret as the announcers mentioned, they would do it 2 or 3 times a game. They called it The Backdoor Play. DJ made lightning fast passes. Sometimes passed with one hand right off the dribble so it wasn't telegraphed.

It's 2021 and I'm still commenting on what a beautiful team this was to watch. I hated them at the time, because I'm a Hawks fan, but looking back at it, damn! What a team. If Bird and McHale hadn't been injured they'd have at least one more trophy. Probably more.

Amazing. Some of these passes were Magic Johnson-esque. And others, notably those off the dribble, were Stockton-esque. Beautiful chemistry between these two hoops legends.

Stood in line at the grocery store with D.J. Did the double take. 15 seconds of asking myself is that him, should I talk to him.? Got to talk to him about one minute. So many questions wanted to ask. i was sort of in awe. Just remember he was real nice, for the most part humble. Not long after that they announced he died.

IMO the best starting lineup in basketball. D. J., BIRD, AINGE, CHIEF, AND KEVIN M. Team work at its best.

Amazing yet so simple.....the back door play, DJ to Bird, you hardly see that nowadays.

DJ is remembered because he played with Larry Legend and a great Celtic team And Larry will be remembered because he was one of the best players to ever play. DJ was a QB of the Celtics but Larry was the coach.

I am blown away by these videos - a real special time in basketball history

it was a combo of Dj throwing to a spot and bird not letting defender knowing where the pass gonna go until the last possible moment. Most players eyes get bigger when the ball is headed their way. Takes two people to make that play work!!

DJ... A great player, and sooo under-rated....

What amazing chemistry!

I keep hearing that Bird can't jump Yet I just watched him jump higher than most? Hmmm

I'll never forgive Jerry Colangleo for trading DJ to the Celtics for Rick Robey ( who ?!!! you might say lol) a 6 ft 10 center from Kentucky. Boy that trade really worked out well! Bird maybe just maybe not the best but as good as anybody whoever played. And DJ wow always seemed to be in the right place!

first off, jazzy elevator piano version of an MGMT song is so choice. second, when DJ threw it at the backboard... so genius. right when it left his hands Bird was already on his page and looking for it. awesome to watch.

Interesting I'm seeing this now. I always thought Dennis Johnson was one of the most underappreciated basketball players of that era. I should have known somebody else would have seen and appreciated it.

2:18 "How many times have we seen that play work?" Well, it might have been good for about half of DJ's assist totals at Boston....and well deserved assists they were!

I enjoyed watching DJ play. I first watched him play in Seattle under Coach Lenny Wilkins. DJ could do it all. He could score, defend, rebound and was always under control with the basketball. RIP DJ.

Great upload! Can you also make Bird-Parish pick-and-roll? Thanks!

We miss you DJ! High praise indeed for the best player ever in LB to give DJ!

Bird was the best, but he did not start winning MVP's, three in a row, until DJ arrived. Tiny was there before, and he looked for Larry very little.

Back when players spent almost if not all there career together. Chemistry like that doesn't happen over night

Bird told the story of when his friend and fellow Celtic, Rick Robey, disappointingly came to tell Bird that the Celtics had just traded him. Bird asked him whom he got traded for. Robey told him, Dennis Johnson. Bird replied, "Let me help you pack your things."

People might not know that Dennis Johnson was a Core player for the Seattle Super Sonics that played in the NBA finals two years in a row and won the Title in 1979. It's no surprise that Larry Legend enjoyed playing with DJ.

I Remember the 1980 All Star Game when Larry made a steal for the East and DJ immediately stole it back from Larry, if only DJ had been a Celtic in 1980, no disrespect to Tiny.

I always remember going down to Boston to see the 1986 Celtics victory parade. Larry Bird was standing in the truck with both arms in the air and his girlfriend (later wife) at his side. Parish was there, and I touched Kevin McHale's hand. I don't recall seeing Bill Walton or DJ because I don't think parades were their thing, but they were sure great players on the court. Ainge was talking to someone in a truck.

Dennis Johnson won an NBA championship with the Seattle SuperSonics, and was the finals MVP before he ever played for the Celtics.

How about DJ matching Birds intuition when Larry stole Isaiahs inbound pass by cutting to the basket, knowing Bird would find him...

DJ was a better passer than anyone in the NBA,NFL or NHL since Bill Russell, Bart Starr or Bobby Orr era. Outstanding BB smarts and he did make LB a better player.

If DJ and Larry were playing today still at their same ages,they would be dominating as PG and SF.Other team wouldn't know how to defend them.

Dennis Johnson is one of the greatest point guards of all-time. Not only did he make Larry better, he was a finals MVP in Seattle when that Sonics team won the chip. DJ is also one of the greatest defenders at the PG position of all-time. The 3 time champ was money.

Every time they refer to the '80s Celtics 'Big Three' I wince. DJ was, like, the _hub_ of that team: if he was involved in the play, the ball would go exactly where it needed to go. 70% of the time it needed to go to Bird, but if it needed to go to someone else, he'd get it to them - or into the basket, himself.

Damn! Stunning timing and accuracy at any distance no matter how many defenders. I'm sold. Shame to hear he did not witness his Basketball Hall of Fame induction.

Jet-eye mind blowing basketball by perhaps the greatest duo in history. Close seconds are Magic- Kareem and Jorden Pippen.

Awesome video. Thank you. That last pass, off the backboard... Just wow!

So many of these videos show Bird making Parish or McHale look good...nice to see how DJ made Bird look good...nice

DJ was the man and there was no doubt about his greatness, he won the Finals MVP in 1979 when the Seattle SuperSonics beat the Washington Bullets 4 games to 1. In the playoffs he was averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and almost 2 blocks per game. Not too bad for a guy listed at 6’ 4”.

This wasn't your classic pick and roll like Stockton to Malone this was more like back door plays in the crowd I really don't know how DJ finds him in all that bodies of humanity for his passes had to be pinpoint accurate

Damn, DJ could rifle that that ball right to Bird. Loved growing up watching him.

DJ to Bird, music baby, music.

I had no idea DJ and Bird had secret plays. Genius scheme to beat more athletic teams. They didn't see it coming. The Celts should have had more wins for being the smartest team in the league.

I loved watching Dennis Johnson play. That playoff game with Detroit when Bird fed DJ the ball down the lane for the win might have been the most exciting play I ever saw. DJ was awesome RIP big guy.

I remember these so well...seems like a million years ago tho...RIP DJ....C'S fa eva baby!!!....🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🐘🐼🐻🐳🐬🐋🐅🐊🐕

At the beginning - Chick Hearn - the voice of the Lakers - interviewing Larry and being as interested to talk to him as any basketball player. Chick knowing exactly who Larry was even though he was the "enemy".

I wish I could lay up like Larry Bird, but you know... we're all made different.