OT: John Havlicek Has Passed Away

Family · Apr 26, 2019

Hondo was one of my heroes as well.

Does anyone remember an x-ray of his lungs showed they were unusually large, which was explained at the time as a reason for his unusual stamina?

The rainbow over Jabbar was one of the most amazing shots I've ever seen.

Hondo was still an all-star at retirement. I always wished he hung around for Bird and the next group, Auerbach speculated that he could have. Just got tired of NBA life.

RIP true Celtic.

1960Pats · Apr 26, 2019

shmessy said:
79. Forever young.

My basketball idol growing up. He was class personified and a very nice man. My parents spent some time with him when he was a rookie with the Cs.

A sad day indeed. He lived in the city that I grew up in and was a class act all the way. My lasting memory of him, besides Havlicek stole the ball, was the way he was constantly in motion on the court. Few if any players could stay with him.

RIP Hondo.

1960Pats · Apr 26, 2019

maust1013 said:
RIP Hondo

When I watched that video I noticed that Hondo took a shot as the buzzer sounded and the ball went right to a fan who ran away with it. I wonder if the guy got out with the ball.

captain stone · Apr 26, 2019

During the 1970s when Bruins tickets were too expensive, my brother, our friends and I would go to a lot of Celtics games where we could buy tickets the day and usually the hour of the game, especially during the regular season. (The reverse would apply during the 1980s when we attended a LOT more Bruins games than Cs games.) . Havlicek, Cowens & the rest of the Cs could run all day and all night; and they had to, because their bench was usually 3 deep at most. Good times, good times...
As yet another companion of my youth passes away, I am again reminded that Time is indeed a Thief. RIP Hondo, and thank you.

Actual Pats Fan · Apr 26, 2019

1960Pats said:
a class act all the way

If there's ever been a nicer and classier pro athlete in Boston, I've never heard of one.

Family said:
The rainbow over Jabbar was one of the most amazing shots I've ever seen

We did that on the playground all the time after that series ('74)

The ball looked like it was going to hit the rafters before falling in. Swish.

The other popular one was Pistol Pete to Dr. J (required two people: one to pass between the legs, and the other to [try to] dunk)

John Havlicek, one of the greatest Celtics ever, dies at 79

“Havlicek stole the ball” is still one of the great rallying cries in sports history, shouted by announcer Johnny Most and quietly repeated by countless numbers of aspiring players in pickup games across the region for years after.

My buddy at work played Pop Warner football with Johnny Most's son, and Johnny was the coach. He must have learned coaching from Red, as he got into screaming matches with the other team's coach and the refs every game.

My dad tipped me off to a ritual Jarrin' John would perform every game: Before each half, he'd go up to the basket and make three straight layups.

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Soliel · Apr 26, 2019

Rip bro

RedSleevesPinkStripes · Apr 26, 2019

RIP to one of the best Celtics and NBA players ever. Celtics' statement was awesome so I'll just post that..

John Havlicek is one of the most accomplished players in Boston Celtics history, and the face of many of the franchise’s signature moments. He was a great champion both on the court and in the community, winning 8 NBA championships and an NBA Finals MVP, while holding Celtics career records for points scored and games played. Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, he is enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame and his retired #17 hangs in the Garden rafters. His defining traits as a player were his relentless hustle and wholehearted commitment to team over self. He was extraordinarily thoughtful and generous, both on a personal level and for those in need, as illustrated by his commitment to raising money for The Genesis Foundation for Children for over three decades through his fishing tournament. John was kind and considerate, humble and gracious. He was a champion in every sense, and as we join his family, friends, and fans in mourning his loss, we are thankful for all the joy and inspiration he brought to us.

Joker · Apr 26, 2019

I was a row back at the basket when Jarrin' John hit that shot over Jabbar. 3rd overtime...the two of them matching shot for shot. Greatest night of BB I've ever witnessed live

Hyped · Apr 26, 2019

RIP, Hondo.

Never had the privilege of watching him play....I started watching the C's at the end of the Cowens era.....

NormZauchin · Apr 26, 2019

Joker said:
I was a row back at the basket when Jarrin' John hit that shot over Jabbar. 3rd overtime...the two of them matching shot for shot. Greatest night of BB I've ever witnessed live

I was there as well, seated behind the basket where Kareem made the winning skyhook shot over Finkel. Won't ever forget it.
Always loved Hondo. Sad to see him pass.

40yrpatsfan · Apr 26, 2019

Joker said:
I was a row back at the basket when Jarrin' John hit that shot over Jabbar. 3rd overtime...the two of them matching shot for shot. Greatest night of BB I've ever witnessed live

I was at that game too. The most underrated epic ever played at Boston Garden, mainly cause they lost I guess. Havlicek and Jabbar trading shot for shot, with a trophy in the back room cause we were up 3-2 in the series. That was also the game where Cowens and Oscar Robertson when diving for the ball at mid-court. Cowens fouled out in OT and Hank Finkel had to guard Jabbar, which he did ok but Kareem hit a running hook from at 15' at the buzzer to win by 1. Not his typical sky hook, he was facing the hoop in the key and headed toward the corner when he released it.

RobertWeathers · Apr 26, 2019

Hyped said:
RIP, Hondo.

Never had the privilege of watching him play....I started watching the C's at the end of the Cowens era.....

Me too. We missed out.

RobertWeathers · Apr 26, 2019

Rus
Larry
Hondo
.
.

40yrpatsfan · Apr 26, 2019

He was comparable to Pierce, not quite at Bird's peak level but close. More athletic than either of them, all over the court, developed into a great scorer, a real force out there. Career averages of 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, all time leading scorer for us.

PatsWickedPissah · Apr 26, 2019

When I was a kid, young kids 12 and up were allowed to take the bus from the burbs to Hahvid Square and the subway to the Celts games. Guys would give my Dad (Bruins & Sox fan) Celts tix right up front. Got to see Russ, KC & Sam, Cooze, Satch Sanders, Lusky & a bit later John H up close. Celts were my 1st sports love. RIP John.

1960Pats · Apr 26, 2019

Joker said:
I was a row back at the basket when Jarrin' John hit that shot over Jabbar. 3rd overtime...the two of them matching shot for shot. Greatest night of BB I've ever witnessed live

Is my memory correct that that game was the one during which Jo Jo called a timeout at the end of one of the tied OT's, but the ref (can't remember his name) ignored White under the basket because he knew the C's were out of TO's?

scout · Apr 26, 2019

40yrpatsfan said:
He was comparable to Pierce, not quite at Bird's peak level but close. More athletic than either of them, all over the court, developed into a great scorer, a real force out there. Career averages of 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, all time leading scorer for us.

Please, do not compare Havlicek with Pierce....

Doctor DDS · Apr 26, 2019

As a 9 year old in 1976 my heroes were Fred Lynn, Steve Grogan and Hondo. Still remember watching the series against the Suns and the amazing triple OT game when I believe he played nearly 60 minutes. That was the first championship I was able to celebrate. Truly a wonderful representative of Boston.

1960Pats · Apr 26, 2019

PatsWickedPissah said:
When I was a kid, young kids 12 and up were allowed to take the bus from the burbs to Hahvid Square and the subway to the Celts games. Guys would give my Dad (Bruins & Sox fan) Celts tix right up front. Got to see Russ, KC & Sam, Cooze, Satch Sanders, Lusky & a bit later John H up close. Celts were my 1st sports love. RIP John.

We were there at the same time, but I came in from the orange line that started at Everett station back then. My Dad would drop me off and mintues later I was watching Russell and all the other great Celts play.

It's funny how Boston was such a hockey town then and it was easier to get in to see the Celts. As far back as I can remember the least I paid to get in was general admission for $1 and most times you could find a seat.

40yrpatsfan · Apr 26, 2019

scout said:
Please, do not compare Havlicek with Pierce....

not sure what you mean, but I certainly can't rank Pierce above him. I'm a huge PP fan, and by 2000 players in general were more skilled than 30 years prior. But Hondo was the MAN for years and years. Even if you put the Russell era aside and don't credit Havlicek for any of those 6 rings (which Russell himself wouldn't agree with), he then led a whole different cast to 2 championships and got screwed out of a 3rd when he hurt his shoulder on a 68-win team.

PP was the greatest 1 on 1 guy we've ever had, perhaps except Kyree, but Hondo was a phenom athlete and leader/winner.

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