The tragic story behind the most 'underrated player in NBA history'

Although Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish were the stars of the legendary Boston Celtics title winners of the mid-1980s, Dennis Johnson was regarded as the glue that held the team together.

Beginning his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1976, Johnson went on to play for the Phoenix Suns before signing for the Celtics in 1983. And it was no coincidence that Boston won a championship in his first season.

Once named the most underrated NBA player of all time, Johnson was rarely a big scorer, but his unselfishness and defensive ability made him the ultimate team player.

Sadly, Johnson died suddenly in 2007 at the age of just 52. He was in the middle of delivering a coaching session for developmental team the Austin Toros when he collapsed. Despite the best efforts of paramedics to resuscitate him, Johnson was pronounced dead upon his arrival at a local hospital.

Dennis Johnson of the Boston Celtics (Getty)

During his prime, Johnson was one of the best defenders in the NBA. But there was one opponents who – despite the Boston guard's best efforts – got the better of his not once but twice.

When the Celtics met the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1986 playoffs, a young Michael Jordan scored 49 points in the first game of the series. Boston won the game, but Johnson vowed that the dynamic guard would not have it so easy in Game 2.

“Dennis was a prideful defensive player,” Jerry Sichting, Johnson's former Celtics teammate, told NBA.com. “He’s in the shower after that Game 1 when Michael has 49, and he’s got the stat sheet stuck to the wall and he’s staring at it. He’s all soaped up, and he says, ‘The good news is we beat them. Michael is never going to have another game like that again.’

“Little did he know,” Sichting said with a laugh, “what was coming.”

Jordan recorded a whopping 63 points in an overtime defeat for the Bulls. The Celtics progressed and went on to win the NBA championship, but the future GOAT had made a mark with Johnson and co.