John Havlicek has died

78

Founding Member
Dazed and Confused
Lifetime Member
Jun 9, 2014
19,745
27,635
Founding Member
Late Thursday from Parkinson's, age 79. Forged a name as an invaluable sixth man, developed into one of the game's best all-around players.

The list of Havlicek honors is huge.

Eight-time NBA champion
13-time All-Star
NBA Finals MVP
Four-time NBA First Team
Seven-time NBA Second Team
5-time NBA All-Defensive First Team
NCAA champion

Johnny Most's memorable call of "Hondo" stealing the Sixers' inbounds pass to secure the '65 Eastern title.



Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek dies at 79
 

stephenPE

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Jul 20, 2014
20,385
15,395
Damn. Just saw it on FB. He was one of the faces of the greatest basketball franchise in history. Russell said when he gets to heaven he picks John in the first pick up game they play up there. They said he never stopped moving on the court. RIP to what I hear was a better person than he was a basketball player. Nicknamed Hondo.TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) | Twitter
 

ChiefGator

A Chief and a Gator, Master of the Ignore list!!!!
Lifetime Member
Nov 9, 2015
7,401
4,168
I remember seeing him, he was a great player.
 

Chomper

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Aug 5, 2014
1,314
35
John Havlicek was from the time back when watching the NBA was exciting and fun. And the Celtics! Oh man, watching those guys in black on white on a Sunday afternoon was a real treat. RIP big John.
 

soflagator

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 4, 2014
21,140
78,761
Love threads like this. I would never know a lot of these details of guys like this without someone bringing it up. Really cool to see the old game.

Plus it reminds me that I’m really not that old after all, as I’ve never even heard of this guy.:lol:
 

NOLAGATOR

God uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible
Lifetime Member
Aug 20, 2018
16,979
21,201
Parkinson's, age 79...Rough way to go...It got my father.

Prayers for the Family and Fans.
 

Ocalaman

Well-Known Member
Mar 7, 2018
756
1,029
Having grown up in the 60's, I remember Havlicek as a great player. He could do it all and was a key cog in that Celtic dynasty that won son many titles. He & Bill Russell are my 2 favorite players of all time.
 

Gator By Marriage

A convert to Gatorism
Lifetime Member
Dec 31, 2018
14,785
27,964
Late Thursday from Parkinson's, age 79. Forged a name as an invaluable sixth man, developed into one of the game's best all-around players.

The list of Havlicek honors is huge.

5-time NBA All-Defensive First Team
This is actually somewhat misleading. The NBA didn't have an All-Defensive for Havlichek's first six seasons, and in addition to being a five time first teamer, he was a three time 2nd teamer. Another fun Havlichek fact is that in addition to the Celtics, he was also drafted by the Cleveland Browns and went to camp (as a wide receiver) before deciding to go the basketball route. Was one of my favorite players as a kid.
 

soflagator

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 4, 2014
21,140
78,761
This is actually somewhat misleading. The NBA didn't have an All-Defensive for Havlichek's first six seasons, and in addition to being a five time first teamer, he was a three time 2nd teamer.

dzniOno.gif
 

Concrete Helmet

Hook, Line, and Sinker
Lifetime Member
Jul 29, 2014
22,047
23,183
I always hated the Celtics but I couldn't hate this guy. He was a great all around player, offense, defense, rebounding, assist....it didn't matter he was good at all of them and a fantastic team player.
 

78

Founding Member
Dazed and Confused
Lifetime Member
Jun 9, 2014
19,745
27,635
Founding Member
This is actually somewhat misleading. The NBA didn't have an All-Defensive for Havlichek's first six seasons, and in addition to being a five time first teamer, he was a three time 2nd teamer. Another fun Havlichek fact is that in addition to the Celtics, he was also drafted by the Cleveland Browns and went to camp (as a wide receiver) before deciding to go the basketball route. Was one of my favorite players as a kid.
Made all the more amazing by the fact that Havlicek spent the first half-dozen years of his career as sixth man off the bench. He revolutionized the role.

The thing I Ioved most about those old Celtics teams beyond the unselfishness was the lack of bravado. No smack talk. They just went out and did their job night after night.
 

NVAGATOR86

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Nov 10, 2017
542
936
Hondo was one of the greatest players in Celtic and NBA history. I believe he is still the Celtic's leading scorer and winner of 8 championships. Only Russell and Sam Jones have more. I was a huge Celtic fan growing up in Lauderdale. Watched the 76 triple OT game against the Suns in the old Lester's Bar next to Sears Town on Federal Highway. Came in late in regulation and stayed until the end ,and lost count of the frosted mugs of beer we consumed. It was one of the craziest games in history. Game clock glitches, Boston fans stormed the court , almost attacked a ref, tried to get into the Sun's huddle and bench. Of course Havlicek had a big game.
He will be missed.
RIP Hondo.
 

Okeechobee Joe

Lost Ball in High Grass
Lifetime Member
Oct 5, 2014
7,088
16,032
He was relentless. He never let up. He never took his foot off the pedal. He played the game the way it should be played. Team player and also a great individual performer. Clutch. Legendary. Old School. "Hondo". John Havlicek.
 

deuce

Founding Member
"Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war."
Lifetime Member
Jun 11, 2014
6,891
6,162
Founding Member
My Favorite player growing up. Great memories of a simpler time. RIP Hondo...
 

Jax Gator

Founding Member
Swamp Thing
Lifetime Member
Jun 13, 2014
401
469
Founding Member
One of the greatest NBA players of all time. RIP John...
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Help Users

You haven't joined any rooms.

    Birthdays

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    31,642
    Messages
    1,615,697
    Members
    1,642
    Latest member
    fishermb