| | LOS ANGELES -- Former NBA player Dennis
Johnson was hired Friday as an assistant coach by the Los Angeles
Clippers.
The move was made a day after the Clippers fired coach Chris
Ford and replaced him with assistant Jim Todd at least through the
end of the season.
Johnson, 45, was an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics (1993-97), and began his head coaching career this season with the
LaCrosse Bobcats of the CBA.
"Dennis is a great addition to our coaching staff," said Elgin
Baylor, the Clippers' vice president of basketball operations. "He
has played in the league for 14 years, and he knows about winning.
Aside from the other qualities he will bring to the team, I believe
he will be a great asset with our backcourt players and helping to
improve our overall team defense."
Johnson averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds in
his career. He played with three NBA championship teams -- the
Seattle SuperSonics in 1979, and the Celtics in 1984 and 1986.
"Having grown up in New England, I have followed his whole
career and am looking forward to taking advantage of his experience
and insight," Todd said.
Johnson attended Pepperdine in nearby Malibu, Calif., before being
selected by Seattle in the second round of the 1976 NBA draft.
The Clippers (11-34), who have lost 16 of their last 18 games,
play their first game under Todd on Saturday night against Dallas
at Staples Center.
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