By Dennis Krause Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Feb 23, 2007 at 8:22 AM

It was tragic and yet somehow fitting that former NBA great Dennis Johnson's life ended while he was coaching on a basketball court. Johnson, 52, collapsed Thursday after running practice in his job as the coach of the NBA Developmental League's Austin Toros in Texas. Long after winning three NBA titles as a player, Johnson was still chasing a dream.

Johnson was sometimes easy to overlook when he played with the Boston Celtics. After all, his teammates included Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. Even the classic 1987 play against Detroit is remembered for Johnny Most uttering "what a play by Bird!" Yes, Bird had made the steal against Isiah Thomas. But Johnson was the guy who made the basket.

I certainly didn't know Johnson beyond a conversation I had with him one day at the Bucks Training Center. At the time, Johnson was the head coach of the CBA's La Crosse Catbirds in 1999-2000. When I talked to him about paying his dues and eventually getting an NBA coaching opportunity, I could see from the sadness in his eyes that Johnson felt he somehow was left off the fast track. Others seemed to get golden opportunities in much easier fashion.

After toiling as an NBA assistant, Johnson eventually got a 24-game stint as coach of the Clippers in 2003, but he never got a full-time opportunity. At least two NBA people I respect deeply told me in recent years that Johnson was long overdue for an NBA head coaching position. It never happened. He literally died trying. 

Dennis Krause Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Dennis Krause joined OnMilwaukee.com as a contributor on June 16, 2006. He is a two-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and a regional Emmy-award winner. Dennis has been the color analyst on home games for the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network for the last 10 years. He has also been involved with the Green Bay Packers Radio Network for 16 years and is currently the host of the "Packers Game Day" pre-game show.

Dennis started his broadcasting career as a radio air personality in the Fox Valley and Milwaukee.

He spent three years as a sportscaster at WMBD radio and television in Peoria, Illinois before joining WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in 1987 as a weekend sports anchor. Dennis spent 16 years at Channel 4, serving as its Sports Director and 5 and 6 pm sports anchor from 1994-2003.

Dennis grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin and attended UW-Oshkosh. He lives in Thiensville with his wife and two children. He serves as the Community Resource Director for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.