In the 1984 finals, Johnson guarded Magic Johnson effectively in the last four games. In 1985, he hit a last-second jumper against Los Angeles that won the fourth game. In 1986, he was part of a team that featured four Hall of Famers — Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Bill Walton.

“He was truly one of the good guys to play in the NBA, and he was a great teammate who was fun to be around,” McHale said.

Johnson had a reputation for delivering in big games.

“I hate to lose,” he once said. “I accept it when it comes, but I still hate it. That’s the way I am.”

He averaged 14.1 points and 5.0 assists for his career. When he retired, he was the 11th player in NBA history to total 15,000 points and 5,000 assists.

“Dennis was a great player for the Sonics. He helped us win a championship and was the MVP of the finals,” said former Seattle coach Lenny Wilkens, now the Sonics’ vice chairman. “But more importantly, he was a tremendous person. He seemed to be enjoying coaching in Austin, and was in great spirits. He’s left us way too soon.”

Johnson made one all-NBA first team and one second team. Six times he made the all-defensive first team, including five consecutive seasons (1979-83).

“As far as a person, he was a great competitor,” Sonics teammate Jack Sikma said. “He wouldn’t let things pass. He would cause some friction if he felt strongly about something, but with our team that was a good thing.”

Johnson was born Sept. 18, 1954, in Compton, Calif. He played at Pepperdine and was drafted by Seattle in 1976. Johnson was traded to Phoenix in 1980 and Boston in 1983.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, sons Dwayne and Daniel, and a daughter, Denise.

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