This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/4/2014
Before the 1983–84 season, the Celtics had repeatedly lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Playoffs, mainly because physical Sixers guard Andrew Toney routinely caused problems for their defensively fragile backcourt. Thus, Celtics general manager Red Auerbach added the perennial All-Defensive Team member Johnson to his squad. Dennis Johnson joined a squad led by Hall of Fame forward Larry Bird, who played in the frontcourt with two fellow Hall of Famers, center Robert Parish and forward Kevin McHale, a combination often called the best frontcourt of all time by the NBA. Johnson described joining the Celtics as a "dream come true" and enjoyed the tutelage of highly successful general manager Auerbach, who was "living history" according to Johnson.
With the Celtics, Johnson changed his playing style for the third time in his career: after being known as a slam dunking shooting guard with the Sonics, and an all-around scorer with the Suns, he now established himself as a point guard who was defined more by playmaking than scoring. In his first year as a Celtic, he averaged 13.2 points and 4.2 assists and was elected to the All-Defensive Second Team. The Celtics reached the 1984 NBA Finals, where they met the Los Angeles Lakers, their intense rivals since the 1960s. The Celtics won 4–3, and Johnson took credit for playing smothering defense on Hall of Fame Lakers playmaker Magic Johnson, limiting him to a sub-average 17 points in the last four games,[5] and being at least partly responsible for several of the Laker point guard's game-deciding errors in Games 2, 4 and 7. As a result, Magic Johnson was taunted as "Tragic Johnson" whenever the Lakers and Celtics played against each other.
Upon examination, this jersey exclusively dates to Dennis Johnson’s rookie season with the Boston Celtics, and the season the team won the World Championship by beating Magic Johnson and the Lakers.
Review of the Medalist Sand Knit tag reveals this style of tag was last worn during the 1983-84 season (MEARS tagging database). For the 1984-85 season, the word “MacGregor” was added to the bottom of the tag. This style of tag was retired at the end of the 1984 season, allowing us to date this jersey to the Championship season.
Medalist Sand Knit size 44 tag sewn to the tail along with an exclusive tag and a 2" LB 44 box tag. Jersey is constructed of white knit with "Celtics", "Johnson" and "3" sewn in green tackle twill. Moderate to heavy use shown.
One of the finest known examples of a Dennis Johnson game worn jersey that dates to a Celtics World Championship Season. LOA Troy R. Kinunen/ MEARS
(62P0064)
(MEARS Auction LOA)