Before being named the Finals MVP, Dennis Johnson had the worst game of his career in the 1978 NBA Finals: "I choked"
Many NBA stars have choked on the big stage, as reaching the finals is a difficult challenge for athletes and their teams, and understandably many fail. Still, Dennis Johnson was determined to avoid such a tragedy.
While DJ is best remembered for his efforts with the Boston Celtics, which helped them win titles in 1984 and 1986, the most defining episode of his 14-year NBA career occurred when he led the Seattle SuperSonics to victory in 1979.
While being named the Finals MVP for averaging 22.6 points across five games. Though the triumph was significant, it had greater value for 'Airplane,' solidifying his tale of redemption against the Washington Bullets.
DJ failed miserably in the '78 NBA Finals
Heading into Game 6 in Washington, the SuperSonics held a 3-2 advantage. Dennis Johnson had been a key contributor, averaging 20.6 points in the initial five games of the series. Despite this, when tasked with the chance to clinch the series, Johnson struggled, managing only 9 points in 24 minutes while shooting 4-of-16 from the field.
The game ended in a demoralizing 35-point defeat, accentuating the closely contested nature of the series, where no victory for either team exceeded an 8-point margin.
With the series still hanging in the balance and the genuine support of their home crowd in Game 7, the SuperSonics failed to shake off the impact of the prior defeat. They found themselves outscored in each of the first three quarters, resulting in a 105-99 defeat.
Johnson was at the center of this collective struggle and proved ineffective in providing support. The 6'4" guard scored just 4 points in 38 minutes, failing to convert any of his 14 field goal attempts.
Johnson redeemed himself in 1979
In an interview with Michael D. McClellan, the five-time All-Star delved into how he motivated himself to never stumble on the grand stage again. Johnson emphasized his commitment to readiness for pivotal moments. So, when the SuperSonics met the Bullets in the 1979 Finals, Dennis was ready to script his own redemption story.
"It was an embarrassing experience to play so poorly, especially in a situation of that magnitude. I choked. I'd never played on a stage that big, not with 15,000 people in an arena," Johnson said. "But it motivated me and made me stronger."
Though Washington won the series opener, Johnson had motivated himself enough to lead his team to the silverware this time around, including a magnificent 32-performance in Game 4 that ended all hopes for the opposition to bounce back in the series.
