Being a Celtic means you can be a phenomenal player and still somehow fly under the radar. Just look at the legacy: when people think of Boston, names like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Bob Cousy, Jayson Tatum, and especially Bill Russell come to mind.
That’s not a slight to anyone—it’s just how deep the franchise’s history is. You can be great and still not get the spotlight. John Havlicek is a perfect example.
A cornerstone of the early Celtics dynasty alongside Russell, Havlicek gave us one of the most legendary moments in NBA history: “Havlicek stole the ball!”—a call made famous after Russell accidentally turned it over by hitting a guide wire, only for Hondo to recover it.
Originally a sixth man in the mold of Frank Ramsey, Havlicek could fill in at guard or forward and always make an impact. Over time, he became central to Boston’s success, not just during the Russell years but afterward too. When Russell retired in 1969, Havlicek became the bridge to the next era.
After a down year in 1969–70, the Celtics, led by Havlicek, bounced back and won titles in 1974 and 1976. He was the steady force through it all. When he retired in 1978 at age 38, he remarked that he might’ve kept playing had he known Larry Bird was on the way.
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