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RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 2:05 pm
by LazarusLong
Celtic Legend John Havlicek died as the result of complications from Parkinson's Disease April 25.

With the likely exceptions of Bill Russell and Larry Bird, no other Celtic player was more venerated by Boston fans, and NBA fans in general.

Only Celtic teammates Russell and Sam Jones won more championships during their playing careers. Havlicek is one of three NBA players with an unsurpassed 8–0 record in NBA Finals series outcomes.

Havlicek is the Celtics' all-time leader in points and games played, scoring 26,395 points (20.8 points per game, 16th all-time in points scored in the NBA), and playing in 1,270 games (30th all-time). He became the first player to score 1,000 points in 16 consecutive seasons.

Havlicek was the type of guy who give you a couple of hard fouls during the game, then buy you a pitcher of beer afterwards.

Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:24 pm
by Superbone
He broke my heart in the 1976 NBA Finals. RIP. My dad also had Parkinson’s. Not a great way to go.

Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 9:00 pm
by The Bobster
I was shocked to hear the news, I hadn't read anywhere about his failing health.

I would say Havlicek was probably the third most beloved Celtic behind Bird and Cousy (Russell always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the fans).

13 All-Star Games, 8 NBA championships, 11 times All-NBA 1st or 2nd Team, 8 times NBA All-Defensive Team.

Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 9:01 pm
by The Bobster
And of course -

"Havlicek stole the ball!"

Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2019 8:56 am
by Mori Chu
Hondo was before my time, but he's clearly an all-time great. Sad to see him go. RIP

If anybody is unfamiliar with "Havlicek stole the ball!", here's a video about it. Classic moment in NBA history:


Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2019 10:29 am
by Superbone
You know what I learned from that video? I (and everybody else) have been saying his last name wrong all these years. Even Johnny Most says it wrong. Listen to the man himself say it in the intro. It's like the 'l' and 'i' should be reversed.

Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2019 7:51 pm
by Indy
Superbone wrote:
Sat Apr 27, 2019 10:29 am
You know what I learned from that video? I (and everybody else) have been saying his last name wrong all these years. Even Johnny Most says it wrong. Listen to the man himself say it in the intro. It's like the 'l' and 'i' should be reversed.
I never knew that.

Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:23 am
by LazarusLong
The Bobster wrote:
Fri Apr 26, 2019 9:00 pm

I would say Havlicek was probably the third most beloved Celtic behind Bird and Cousy (Russell always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the fans).
At one time, Cousy could have been elected mayor of Boston.

He did tarnish his reputation by coaching the Royals and then becoming player-coach for them (and not looking good doing it).

The Milwaukee Bucks will be forever in his debt for trading Oscar Robertson to them.
Oscar helped lead the Bucks and their new young center, some kid from UCLA, to the franchise's only championship.
Cousy saw the trade as a punishment to Robertson (by sending him to a fledgling franchise)...

Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:25 am
by LazarusLong
Superbone wrote:
Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:24 pm
He broke my heart in the 1976 NBA Finals. RIP. My dad also had Parkinson’s. Not a great way to go.
Sorry about your dad, 'Bone.
A very good friend of mine died from it recently.
I thought he had it managed, but then he deteriorated rapidly. Ugh.

Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:33 am
by The Bobster
LazarusLong wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:23 am
The Bobster wrote:
Fri Apr 26, 2019 9:00 pm

I would say Havlicek was probably the third most beloved Celtic behind Bird and Cousy (Russell always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the fans).
At one time, Cousy could have been elected mayor of Boston.

He did tarnish his reputation by coaching the Royals and then becoming player-coach for them (and not looking good doing it).

The Milwaukee Bucks will be forever in his debt for trading Oscar Robertson to them.
Oscar helped lead the Bucks and their new young center, some kid from UCLA, to the franchise's only championship.
Cousy saw the trade as a punishment to Robertson (by sending him to a fledgling franchise)...
He was just doing what his coach Arnold would have done (Silas to Denver after his holdout, Chaney to the ABA and Westphal to Phoenix when they wanted to be paid, Cowens to Milwaukee after the Silas fiasco).

Re: RIP John Havlicek

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:12 am
by Superbone
LazarusLong wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:25 am
Superbone wrote:
Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:24 pm
He broke my heart in the 1976 NBA Finals. RIP. My dad also had Parkinson’s. Not a great way to go.
Sorry about your dad, 'Bone.
A very good friend of mine died from it recently.
I thought he had it managed, but then he deteriorated rapidly. Ugh.
Thanks, Laz, and sorry about your friend too. It sucks.