Vintage NBA: JOHN HAVLICEK

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Published 2017-10-31

John "Hondo" Havlicek is an American retired professional basketball player who competed for 16 seasons with the Boston Celtics, winning eight NBA championships, four of them coming in his first four seasons.

In the National Basketball Association, only teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones won more championships during their playing careers, and Havlicek is one of three NBA players with an unsurpassed 8–0 record in NBA Finals series outcomes. Havlicek is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game and was inducted as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.

All Comments (21)

@eddierivera8556 5 years ago

From the first time I saw Havlicek play, I became a huge fan, I had his picture on my wall. Love you Hondo RIP
@watchmanonthewall14 4 years ago

Lakers fan here. Hated the Celtics. Still do. But as a very young kid, I met Havlicek after a Celtic game 2 loss to the Lakers in the 69 Finals. He was mobbed for autographs. In the stampede, my very young, tiny brother started to get trampled. Hondo stopped everyone and got them to back up. He helped my brother up and asked him whether he was alright. He was very gentle and polite about the whole thing. Then we got his autograph. It is this kind of thing that makes Hondo an even better person than the great basketball player that he was. RIP
@geraldstewart7377 5 years ago

I had a lot of respect for him as a player and a man .... Rest in peace Hondo!!!
@fredflintstone2958 5 years ago

I thought he would live forever...this feels so wrong..
@Michael_Page 2 years ago

If I was a kid in Hondo's era, he would have certainly been my favorite player. Arguably the most underrated player of all time. Elite scorer. Elite defender. Elite motor. Elite leader. Elite winner. RIP.
@hopeandlorensboykchasteen5348 5 years ago

Havlicek, what a great player he was, l haven't forgotten!
@felixmadison5736 3 years ago

John Havlicek became my favorite player from the first time I saw him during his rookie season of 1961-62 when he played in all 80 games. 'Hondo' was an even better person than basketball player which is saying something! Havlicek had using the back board down to a science! Nobody shot the bank shot off the glass better than Hondo!
@Zach-gq9cw 5 years ago

Rest in peace Hondo
@jdftwo1 3 years ago

Lot of great Celtic players. They play the game like chess players
@bradtdarius 5 years ago

With all due respect to Larry Bird, Havlicek and Russell are my all-time favorite Celtics.
@winnhill3736 9 months ago

I loved Hondo and was 1 of my favs.I loved his work ethic by constantly moving to help the offense work.I also remember him playing with a hurt shoulder in the playoffs against the Knicks.
@jimclancy6715 5 years ago

Hondo Memory - watching him score 20+ pts in a playoff game against the Knicks while playing left-handed due to a separated shoulder - including free throws - see anyone do that lately ?
@josecolon2201 5 years ago

Rip no17 Hondo Havlicek
@delvindelvintumbling8452 6 years ago

Hondo rules
@thewaymouth 5 years ago

It's all over but the shouting: Hondo, gimme a break! ...Nelson, Cowens and Havlicek on a fast break through Bradlees! (The Super Sights and Sounds of the Seventies are calling me back home to Boston and my best decade. Thanks for the sweet run, John.)
@danrode104 5 years ago

John Havlichek was the best small forward in NBA history. From a knick fan.
@jingqi9106 4 years ago

Michael Jordan won 6 titles. John Havlicek won 8.
@delvindelvintumbling8452 5 years ago

Rip Hondo havlicek
@bigdave1579 8 months ago

I remember watching this game when I was a freshman in high school. I was a Bucks fan, but Hondo was making impossible shots. I had to beg my mom to stay up late on a school night to watch it.
@suttonsplash14 6 years ago

I love this series thanks!