Former Sonic Dennis Johnson Is Dead at 52

Surprising and sad news from the AP: Dennis Johnson, who was Finals MVP when the Sonics won the 1979 NBA championship, is dead.

He was working as coach of the NBDL's Austin Toros. He coached the Toros to a win last Friday night over Fort Worth.

Kevin Pelton of Supersonics.com wrote this history of Johnson's Sonics career earlier this season.

Nationally, Johnson is better known as a Boston Celtic--he played seven seasons for Boston and won two championship rings as the Celtics point guard. He also played for Phoenix. Johnson was an interim coach for the L.A. Clippers in 2003.

The cause of Johnson's death is unknown, an autopsy is planned.

UPDATE: The AP now reports that Johnson collapsed after a Toros practice.