One of the few larger channels that really gives respect to older legends. Much respect to you and your content, and RIP Hondo, one of the best players the game has ever seen.
@@oldsensei8350 I was born in '62, and my memories of being a Celtics fan kick in at around 1970. Like you, I also claim John Havlicek as my favorite all-time player. His death actually hit me harder than when any of my other favorites passed away.
One of the clutchest players ever. The Steal vs the Sixers, clutch shots vs the Suns in 1976 and the Bucks in 1974 (Game 6, should have won the title right then) etc. Legend.
@slip satch I wouldn't go that far. U have him over (not in order) MJ lebron kareem Hakeem bill wilt Shaq Kobe Wade Duncan Dirk Malone Garnett bird magic Curry erving durant Stockton big o
Basketball fans of that era knew who John Havlicek was...when he went into the game, the energy of the Celtic team would go sky high. Hondo Havlicek was one of a kind.
The one thing that I remember most about him was that he was so well conditioned that he never stopped moving but it seemed like he never broke a sweat
I just noticed when looking at NBA scoring leaders for regular seasons at the time Havilcek retired only Wilt and Oscar had more points than him. He is still 18th. When he played there were no 3 pointers. That is impressive 45 years retired and still a top 20 point scorer.
Always heard his name but never really knew about him. Thanks for this video because now I know how truly important, influential and amazing John Havlicek was! Rest on
My all-time favorite basketball player. A winner in every sense of the word. Played both ends of the court. Great clutch player. Should always be mentioned as one of the greatest players of all time.
I am old enough to remember him, although it was late in his career. I have one word for him-relentless. He never stopped. He would beat you just by outworking you.
Havlicek was a student of the "flow" of the game. When he came into the game, he knew exactly how to change the game with his offense. He always broke the game wide open when he came off the bench. The other team couldn't guard him. He kicked the game into over drive.
He was playing 45 minutes a game back then,he was more of a hustle,lock up defensive ,team orientation and court vision type of player,and his 8 rings explain that perfectly
Hardly hear about those teams or the era in general. All I hear is the 11 until Bill retired, then the 80s then the big 3. If you didn't see the banners it would be a forgotten part of NBA history.
@@gm2407 Sadly, this is so true. I was born in '62, and my NBA memories mostly kick in around 1970 or so. I collected baseball, basketball and football cards from 1970-75, and those players are my guys regardless of what team they played for. But as a Celtics fan, Havlicek is my all-time favorite player. And the Celtics of Hondo, Dave Cowens and Jo Jo White will always hold a special place in my heart. Many people today don't realize there indeed were great players and teams in the '70s (and that includes the ABA).
Rip John Havlicek, dude was too underrated when he played and he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves just because he’s gone. Truly saddened by that. He was the Better Lou Williams of the 70s.
in Boston, he drank so much Champagne, that he couldn't be underrated ,as that is THE measurement of a CELTIC. individual achievement meant zero! that's why Kyrie Irving left here as quickly as he got here. and Hondo was another guy who played w/ no 3 pt. line .forget about it!!
West v. Havlicek - good stuff. "Hondo" was my first favorite player. Celtics were on TV pretty much every Sunday, either against the 76er's (Wilt), Knicks, or Lakers. Good memories.
One of the greatest competitors of all-time. Smart, savvy, and incomparable stamina. He was a big reason the Celtics won eight titles during his career. Hondo makes my list for the top five most underrated players in NBA history.
Thanks for a great vid. This might be lost history, but it shows the respect he had around the league: In his final season, each city he visited gave him a farewell gift. For example, Portland heard that he liked fishing, so they gave him an aluminum fishing boat. When he came to my town, Seattle, they gave him an outboard motor. Amazing. (source: Sports Illustrated). As a side note, I think if a superstar went to a city today and they gave him an aluminum boat it would be seen as kind of a joke. Back in Hondo's era it was a true sign of respect and appreciation.
Back then NBA players weren't remotely as wealthy as they are now, none of them were millionaires, they were more grounded and closer to the common man
As this video mentioned John was an early investor in the Wendy's franchise, he probably made more money through that than he did in his entire NBA career
I'm 74 years-old and followed John's entire career, so I can sum up how good he was in one word: GREAT. May you RIP, and my condolences to the entire Havlicek family.
I remember that night he injured his right shoulder during that playoff game against the Knicks at Madison square garden. Two days later on a Sunday afternoon at Boston Garden he burned the knicks for 42 points shooting only with his left hand and the Celtics tied the series in 1973. One of my favorite player of all time. People forget that he was a two time NCAA champion at Ohio State with Jerry Lucas, John McLaughlin and Bobby knight.
Cleveland Browns said they had never seen such raw talent at WR and the only player faster was Jim Brown. Hondo even looks fast at 37 going against Dr J at 26 in 7 games in the ECSF. Hondo avg 20, 6, 7 vs J's 24, 6, 3.
Havlicek was amazing on the court. The Ohio Play was "throw it to Havlicek." I saw that '73 playoff series -- he couldn't lift his right arm. He gave it everything he had, though.
Well I did not see him play from 1962 to 1968...but I saw him play a ton of games from 1969 till 1978..he was a perpetual motion man a relentless hustler...I watched him in person or on TV live outplay Bradley...erving.. west..Oscar...Cunningham..Monroe. Frazier...Hayes...no one could guard him long.he was the best swingman in nba history...he scored over 30 000 points counting playoff points without three pointers...he was a great clutch shooter at the end of games....good shooter good passer.. good rebounder .constant all defense team selection eight times....13 time allstar...8 and 0 in the finals...won two chips without Russell....a big play guy....people have tried to compare majerle...hornacek....spreewell...pippen..and ginobli to him...it's a joke he would destroy all of them...he used to rip my two teams the braves and Knicks apart every year in the playoffs and he was well into his thirties...red Auerbach had him in the top 18 player list alltime...if hes not in your top twenty five or thirty you don't belong in a basketball thread or your too young to know better...he's still the Celtics alltime leading scorer.....after Russell and bird he's the greatest Celtic ever...great basketball I q too.....everyone knew how great he was in the 60s and 70s...I know he had enormous respect not just from the white fans and players but from all the black fans and players too ...he never went over to play in the Rucker league and only dunked the ball once a year or so...nothing flashy but everyone knew he was a badass on the court
I was a very young kid during those days. I remember it being in 1969 when as a child, I was always glued on the tv watching all the cartoons I could get my eyes on. As I switched channels, I accidentally came across the game between the Lakers and the Celtics. I had absolutely no interest in basketball whatsoever , but just as I was about to turn the channel, I saw Havlicek going for a shot and Keith Erickson of the Lakers unintentionally poked a finger at John's eye and soon it swelled to a point where it almost covered his face. Strangely enough, I finished watching the game without even knowing how it's being played. Boston won that game. That incident sparked my love for basketball. I have been a die hard Celtics fan ever since. RIP Hondo.
7:45 was a great move for a bounce pass assist. didn't know they jab-stepped in the 60s-70s. impressive. way to get separation. his shooting form is really nice.
Andy Hoops implies in this video that Hondo went down in the '70s but I disagree. Team balance and talent was much more balanced in the '70s and no team repeated as champs in that decade. However, one team won two titles in that decade and that was the Boston Celtics led by Havlicek. They also had other outstanding years where they were in the hunt. Havlicek had a different game than most modern players though. He wasn't a high flying, go between the legs type of player that dominated the ball. John was constantly moving without the ball, tired out his defenders, and ran the famed Celtic fast break like a deer. Instead of trying to dunk on defenders, he's often times pull up and hit his soft jumper either off glass or a straight up swish. He had a great pull up jumper, could drive and finish with both hands, had a nice running hook shot, and a nose for the ball on the offensive glass. Havlicek was also an all-time great defender. Havlicek wasn't just outstanding in the '60s, he was hall of Fame great in the '70s too. 💪
Hondo absolutely belongs in conversations about Bird, Magic, West, Erving, and other all-time greats. He was most similar to Pippin in being a tireless super-athletic two-way offensive/defensive player who could shoot, score, pass, rebound, and defend. He was way more clutch and had more championship heart than LeBron. He led a championship team in scoring multiple times as a sixth man.
What a competitor! He could do it all and did. No flash, ever. I never saw him dribble behind the back or between the legs. You never heard of anyone talking badly about him. Tireless, fast, great clutch shooter. One of a kind. GREAT.
I watched him in a video once in which he said that he never got tired in a game. His conditioning was so good he felt he could play two games back to back.
A great, great NBA player whose playing and scoring skills was so advanced that few players ever reach the level of play that John Havlicek played at. Being advanced in age and a fan of the NBA, I was so privileged to see the likes of John Havlicek, and the rest of the 1960's Celtic players, in one playoff after another. I remember the "unbelievable" playing condition of all the 1960's Celtics. They had a running game that was second to none in NBA history. I vividly remember the season that the Celtics beat a Lakers team, whose starting five players were all All-Star Players. Even though LA came up short that season, it was one of the greatest ever starting five in NBA history. The 1960's NBA had no 3-point shot and there is no telling how many point-totals the likes of Havlicek would have had. A great NBA Player, and great man to boot! R-I-P John Havlicek, what a player you were!
The narrator is incorrect about John being the first to excel as a sixth man. Frank Ramsey did it before John came to the Celtics. He too was a swing man at both guard and forward.
My favorite player as a kid. Bill Russell said of Havlicek being the 6th man, "If you were paying attention you would have noticed that when John came in off of the bench, he never came back out".
Never knew John H. was THAT good! I had heard folks mention him here and there but didn’t know he was as good a player as is pointed out in this video. Thanks Andy!
In the 1970s he was in his thirties and I lived in buffalo...he used to come into buffalo and ny city and rip my braves and Knicks apart...especially in the playoffs
Prior to the advent of cable television, there usually was just one game per week telecast for each sport. During the Celtics‘ heyday, the game of the week was usually the Celtics and whomever they played. That is how a kid growing up in pre-Pacers Indianapolis became a lifelong Celtics fan. Havlicek and Bill Russell were my LeBron and AD.
He jumped into Wendy's because of being an Ohio boy and Wendy's being an Ohio company. Also, even though I wasn't even 3 when John retired I was a Celtics fan because of him. My grandfather was a Methodist minister. One of his stops for several years was in southern Ohio (I'm from and still live in NW Ohio). John had family there where he would often visit (occasionally bringing Jerry Lucas, his tOSU buddy with him). My mother was in middle school at the time (she unfortunately has passed also) but she became quite smitten with John. So my mother followed John from tOSU, my grandfather only cared about the Buckeyes, to his career with the Celtics. Infecting my older brother with Celtics fandom, then me. Of course when Larry Bird came onto the seen it solidified for me.
Actually, Frank Ramsay was the first "sixth man" in Celtic lore, good enough to be a starter, but a player that Red Auerbach wanted around to play important minutes. Havlicek succeeded him in this role and turned out a much better player.
love the Celtics and John , became a fan in 1959 . Thanks to my grandfather . thanks for sharing this , brought back a flood of memories from the Garden !
Baylor is another great player of the era who has been mostly forgotten. He and West made the Lakers the best NBA team in the Western Conference for years.
In one 1973 East semis playoff game, Hondo scored 54 points (24-36 from field with no three-pointers) versus the Atlanta Hawks of Pete Maravich. When he retired in 1978, he was #3 all-time in NBA scoring and #5 in assists.
I was walking through the D.C. National airport several years after Havlicek retired and there was a bit of a murmur running through the crowd about a big tall guy walking by, I immediately recognized it was John Havlicek as he was my fave player when I was a kid in the 60's/early 70's. I had never seen him in person...what struck me was how wide his shoulders were, I mean like alien wide...dude looked like a real badass, would not have wanted to tussle with him on or off the court.
I was too young when he was playing, so I don't remember much, but I remember his endurance was always emphasized. He was the Energizer bunny of the NBA. 8 rings says it all. We hear so much about Bird but Russel and Havlicek built that Celtics dynasty.
Yeah...imagine starters playing 40+ minutes a game...and they weren't getting hurt right and left like today's load-managed millionaires. Great video...
Sam Jones could very well be the most underrated player of all-time! During his era, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson were regarded as the best guards in the league, but Sam was definitely #3 and he had the greatest bank shot of all time! I modeled my shot after his and tore up the playgrounds for years and probably never made a shot that didn't hit the backboard first!
@@ailurophile17 Sam Jone's no.24 will never be worn in BOSTON again. what a shooter. if u were starting a team and u had Havlicek and Jones ,you'd be quite happy, I assure u.
@@tonym994 Tony: I'm well aware of Sam's number being retired. I actually got his autograph when I was 13 years old back in 1967. When I played HS ball in both Alaska and NH, I was perhaps the ONLY player who consistently used the backboard and I learned everything I know about the lost art from the guy who was the greatest at "taking it to the bank" that the NBA's ever seen!
Hello Andy, fan of your channel from The Philippines 🇵🇭. You put great contents and amazing facts. You research everything, that’s awesome. If Lou Williams win this year’s 6MOY, can you do a video about him and Jamal Crawford, weigh/assess their careers on who’s the better sixth man of all time, probability of making to the HOF, etc. (You can include past winners but concentrate on the both of them) Keep up the good work, more power.
Nice vid Andy. I think Red Auerbach work and every player that he brought to the league are pretty underrated. Russell, Havlicek, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn, Jojo White, Dave Cowens, Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman (Even if Red didnt draft the last two) are undershadow. I know a Lot of the players played 1-3 seasons together and maybe they were more talented than the others teams. You need more than good players to win, you need leaders, good chemistry, a coach who can handle the situation and a good GM. It's a shame the people don't recognize that they were as value as the showtime Lakers and the 90's Bulls. The league without the Minneapolis Lakers or the Celtics dominating those would be nothing. Every player of those team deserves the credit of reach the success just like they do.
I met him in person when I was a kid and sat right next to him in the old Boston Garden 4th row when I saw the seat open, sat down next to him and being clueless (fearless) I asked him for an autograph for my dad, couldn’t have been nicer!!!!
Thanks for this video. Hondo is a legend. I wish I was present during the 60s or 70s, tough gentlemen played back then. Recently I found out about Moses Malone's retiring jersey "stipulation". Seeing Dr. J getting emotional over ECF game in Boston. Unbelievable people.
When I was a little kid in the 70s, John Havlichek was my favorite player as I became a basketball fan. Celtics fans were so lucky in the 70s and 80s. Rest in peace, Hondo.
Definitely underrated when you look at where websites rank him. All time points and games played on the Celtics. He was a prime NBA player with incredible endurance!
All due respect to Larry Bird and Bill Russell, Havlicek is my all-time favorite Celtic. From 1966 til his retirement, I watched every game he played in that was on tv. EVERY one of them. Side note : Frank Ramsey, another Celtic legend, was the first great NBA Sixth Man. More media attention got paid to the Sixth Man position, because of Red Auerbach's influence, and made Havlicek a household name. He shocked basketball fans when he became a starter, but immediately proved he was one he was one of the League's best. His career coincided with the 76ers' Billy Cunningham, a another HOFer , who began his own NBA career as a famed Sixth Man. Their matchups were epic. Appreciate the content. I'm 65, and always pay respects to the greats of the past, as well as to today's players. "Hondo" was a bad dude.
Well said...I remember all the black guys I knew who played ball really respected him.,..he had equal respect from black and white fans and players everywhere
My dad graduated one year ahead of John at Bridgeport HS. My dad told me he was just as good of a baseball and football player. This guy could do it all! Outstanding athlete who never got tired.
Red Auerbach is one of the greatest basketball minds the game has ever known he knew how to get the right players in the right positions and put together winning teams he's the one that brought Hondo into the Celtics.
Followed Hondo throughout his career. The man ran forever. He did things/played the game and was never a showboat or hot dog like so many today. RIP HONDO
I was a golf pro in Mass. We had a celebrity pro am at Sterling CC. I was looking for Hondo and this guy kept talking to me. I turned around and there was my idol introducing himself to me. It was awesome and he talked to me amount bball which I loved. Never forget that special moment.
It is interesting to see how modern his game looks. His jump shot is almost text book. Much better than his peers. In a way similiar to Jerry West. Both were well ahead of their time.
Havlicek was preparing us for Bird. All I remember was, ..... whatever had to be done, ..... he did it. Knicks fan, at the time, ..... hated the guy. Why? Because he was SO GOOD.
Rest easy eternally, John Havlicek. Celtic fans will always be grateful on helping the team to win championships.
Truly a gentleman and a heck of a player. Sad, very sad loss. RIP.
One of the few larger channels that really gives respect to older legends. Much respect to you and your content, and RIP Hondo, one of the best players the game has ever seen.
Way to say it man
My favorite player since 1970 a legend
@@oldsensei8350 I was born in '62, and my memories of being a Celtics fan kick in at around 1970. Like you, I also claim John Havlicek as my favorite all-time player. His death actually hit me harder than when any of my other favorites passed away.
One of the clutchest players ever.
The Steal vs the Sixers, clutch shots vs the Suns in 1976 and the Bucks in 1974 (Game 6, should have won the title right then) etc.
Legend.
Fax
@slip satch I wouldn't go that far. U have him over (not in order) MJ lebron kareem Hakeem bill wilt Shaq Kobe Wade Duncan Dirk Malone Garnett bird magic Curry erving durant Stockton big o
tteverywhere 97 bullshit 😂 “97” you literally know only what was said in this fucking video 😂
1976 suns series is one of the all time best still. That triple OT game is still the best ever finals game imo
@@basti938 he is definetley better than wade
One of if not the most underrated player of alltime
Hey bro I love your videos and God bless you and your family and r.i.p jonh hondo
John was his family😧
Can you please do how good Rip Hamilton was actually? Not many young fans know who he is (nice video :)
THX for all the likes
One of the best off-ball players ever
Good idea!
Imraan hyena rip Hamilton was pretty dope, I liked how Jordan told him my shoes are only for champions and he won one with the pistons
@@SethKasso yep
I do! I Love that man!
Basketball fans of that era knew who John Havlicek was...when he went into the game, the energy of the Celtic team would go sky high. Hondo Havlicek was one of a kind.
The one thing that I remember most about him was that he was so well conditioned that he never stopped moving but it seemed like he never broke a sweat
it was hard to keep up with him, he had endurance.
I just noticed when looking at NBA scoring leaders for regular seasons at the time Havilcek retired only Wilt and Oscar had more points than him. He is still 18th. When he played there were no 3 pointers. That is impressive 45 years retired and still a top 20 point scorer.
One of the most underated players of all time. Rest in peace. 🙏🏼
You forgot to mention he was the 1974 Finals MVP.
slip satch
He was a small forward not a guard
One of my favorite players of all time
Ya he forgot
can everyone consider him as the bigger version of larry bird?
IMO Havelicek was thrive in any era, moving without the ball and mid range game would eat this no defense era up
The person who drove the 6th man of the year award. A true great.
Love hondo , red Auerbach said he did want to put one of the starts on the bench
Always heard his name but never really knew about him. Thanks for this video because now I know how truly important, influential and amazing John Havlicek was! Rest on
My all-time favorite basketball player. A winner in every sense of the word. Played both ends of the court. Great clutch player. Should always be mentioned as one of the greatest players of all time.
I am old enough to remember him, although it was late in his career. I have one word for him-relentless. He never stopped. He would beat you just by outworking you.
Thank you.
-From a young Celtics Fan
Havlicek was a student of the "flow" of the game. When he came into the game, he knew exactly how to change the game with his offense. He always broke the game wide open when he came off the bench. The other team couldn't guard him. He kicked the game into over drive.
He was playing 45 minutes a game back then,he was more of a hustle,lock up defensive ,team orientation and court vision type of player,and his 8 rings explain that perfectly
Exactly. Highgear was on the move : foul line to foul line.
Of course he was a starter later in his career..all through the 1970s
LaMelo Ball plays exactly like John Havlicek.
And of course by the time the 1970s rolled around havlicek was the starter
As a Lakers fan, I know how great he was. He drove us crazy. Always moving, and always making the big plays in the clutch.
Dave Cowens wasn't just a teammate. He was the heart of the great Celtics teams of the seventies - and they were great
Yes, Dave was another of the celtic greats
Hardly hear about those teams or the era in general. All I hear is the 11 until Bill retired, then the 80s then the big 3. If you didn't see the banners it would be a forgotten part of NBA history.
@@gm2407 Sadly, this is so true. I was born in '62, and my NBA memories mostly kick in around 1970 or so. I collected baseball, basketball and football cards from 1970-75, and those players are my guys regardless of what team they played for. But as a Celtics fan, Havlicek is my all-time favorite player. And the Celtics of Hondo, Dave Cowens and Jo Jo White will always hold a special place in my heart. Many people today don't realize there indeed were great players and teams in the '70s (and that includes the ABA).
@@kevinhouse4376well said.. I'm a couple years older than you and collected the cards and watched all of those teams and guys too
@@kevinhouse4376The 70's Celtics are pretty overlooked, but being sandwiched in two of their best eras it’s easy to see why
Looking at his highlights and his movements on the court on UA-cam really shows how much a competitor that Havlicek was and winner by heart
Rip John Havlicek, dude was too underrated when he played and he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves just because he’s gone. Truly saddened by that. He was the Better Lou Williams of the 70s.
in Boston, he drank so much Champagne, that he couldn't be underrated ,as that is THE measurement of a CELTIC. individual achievement meant zero! that's why Kyrie Irving left here as quickly as he got here. and Hondo was another guy who played w/ no 3 pt. line .forget about it!!
He will always be remembered as a legend R.I.P.
West v. Havlicek - good stuff. "Hondo" was my first favorite player. Celtics were on TV pretty much every Sunday, either against the 76er's (Wilt), Knicks, or Lakers. Good memories.
Great battles
One of the greatest competitors of all-time. Smart, savvy, and incomparable stamina. He was a big reason the Celtics won eight titles during his career. Hondo makes my list for the top five most underrated players in NBA history.
Thanks for a great vid. This might be lost history, but it shows the respect he had around the league: In his final season, each city he visited gave him a farewell gift. For example, Portland heard that he liked fishing, so they gave him an aluminum fishing boat. When he came to my town, Seattle, they gave him an outboard motor. Amazing. (source: Sports Illustrated).
As a side note, I think if a superstar went to a city today and they gave him an aluminum boat it would be seen as kind of a joke. Back in Hondo's era it was a true sign of respect and appreciation.
Back then NBA players weren't remotely as wealthy as they are now, none of them were millionaires, they were more grounded and closer to the common man
As this video mentioned John was an early investor in the Wendy's franchise, he probably made more money through that than he did in his entire NBA career
I'm 74 years-old and followed John's entire career, so I can sum up how good he was in one word: GREAT. May you RIP, and my condolences to the entire Havlicek family.
As a Sixers fan, Hondo scared me more than anyone else on those great Celtic teams. A true legend and gentlemen.
I remember that night he injured his right shoulder during that playoff game against the Knicks at Madison square garden. Two days later on a Sunday afternoon at Boston Garden he burned the knicks for 42 points shooting only with his left hand and the Celtics tied the series in 1973. One of my favorite player of all time. People forget that he was a two time NCAA champion at Ohio State with Jerry Lucas, John McLaughlin and Bobby knight.
True legend to all of Boston Rest In Peace Hondo
one of the clutch players ever, that iconic steal against the 76ers in that era, just amazing , R.I.P. HONDO
He hit a ton of last second shots too in sixteen years
Cleveland Browns said they had never seen such raw talent at WR and the only player faster was Jim Brown. Hondo even looks fast at 37 going against Dr J at 26 in 7 games in the ECSF. Hondo avg 20, 6, 7 vs J's 24, 6, 3.
When I was a kid, Havlicek was my favorite player.... and then came Larry Joe....
I grew up in the 1980's. Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird was NBA at its peak.
Me too! I remember the 74 and 76 titles!
Game 5 in 76… triple overtime
Same here
Havlicek was amazing on the court. The Ohio Play was "throw it to Havlicek." I saw that '73 playoff series -- he couldn't lift his right arm. He gave it everything he had, though.
Well I did not see him play from 1962 to 1968...but I saw him play a ton of games from 1969 till 1978..he was a perpetual motion man a relentless hustler...I watched him in person or on TV live outplay Bradley...erving.. west..Oscar...Cunningham..Monroe. Frazier...Hayes...no one could guard him long.he was the best swingman in nba history...he scored over 30 000 points counting playoff points without three pointers...he was a great clutch shooter at the end of games....good shooter good passer.. good rebounder .constant all defense team selection eight times....13 time allstar...8 and 0 in the finals...won two chips without Russell....a big play guy....people have tried to compare majerle...hornacek....spreewell...pippen..and ginobli to him...it's a joke he would destroy all of them...he used to rip my two teams the braves and Knicks apart every year in the playoffs and he was well into his thirties...red Auerbach had him in the top 18 player list alltime...if hes not in your top twenty five or thirty you don't belong in a basketball thread or your too young to know better...he's still the Celtics alltime leading scorer.....after Russell and bird he's the greatest Celtic ever...great basketball I q too.....everyone knew how great he was in the 60s and 70s...I know he had enormous respect not just from the white fans and players but from all the black fans and players too ...he never went over to play in the Rucker league and only dunked the ball once a year or so...nothing flashy but everyone knew he was a badass on the court
the Havlicek's steal is the greatest moments of Havlicek's history. I will miss it😢😢
Forever being a LEGEND.
I was a very young kid during those days. I remember it being in 1969 when as a child, I was always glued on the tv watching all the cartoons I could get my eyes on. As I switched channels, I accidentally came across the game between the Lakers and the Celtics. I had absolutely no interest in basketball whatsoever , but just as I was about to turn the channel, I saw Havlicek going for a shot and Keith Erickson of the Lakers unintentionally poked a finger at John's eye and soon it swelled to a point where it almost covered his face. Strangely enough, I finished watching the game without even knowing how it's being played. Boston won that game. That incident sparked my love for basketball. I have been a die hard Celtics fan ever since. RIP Hondo.
Cool story.. I remember Keith Erickson.. he became a pretty good broadcaster after his NBA career
7:45 was a great move for a bounce pass assist. didn't know they jab-stepped in the 60s-70s. impressive. way to get separation. his shooting form is really nice.
Contrast this guy to all the egos today!! What a great example on how to conduct yourself on and off the court!! Mad respect for John. RIP.
He introduced me to the NBA. What a great
Andy Hoops implies in this video that Hondo went down in the '70s but I disagree. Team balance and talent was much more balanced in the '70s and no team repeated as champs in that decade. However, one team won two titles in that decade and that was the Boston Celtics led by Havlicek. They also had other outstanding years where they were in the hunt. Havlicek had a different game than most modern players though. He wasn't a high flying, go between the legs type of player that dominated the ball. John was constantly moving without the ball, tired out his defenders, and ran the famed Celtic fast break like a deer. Instead of trying to dunk on defenders, he's often times pull up and hit his soft jumper either off glass or a straight up swish. He had a great pull up jumper, could drive and finish with both hands, had a nice running hook shot, and a nose for the ball on the offensive glass. Havlicek was also an all-time great defender. Havlicek wasn't just outstanding in the '60s, he was hall of Fame great in the '70s too. 💪
Hondo absolutely belongs in conversations about Bird, Magic, West, Erving, and other all-time greats. He was most similar to Pippin in being a tireless super-athletic two-way offensive/defensive player who could shoot, score, pass, rebound, and defend. He was way more clutch and had more championship heart than LeBron. He led a championship team in scoring multiple times as a sixth man.
That’s what I said in my comment.
Lebron isn’t quite as good as Havlicek.
@@ballhead1150 Your an idiot
Idk bout that
@@ballhead1150 lmao
Hondo definitely had more championship heart, guts and stamina than leEgo
This is a great video and I hope you cover more basketball players from the 70s, 60s and 50s.
One of the greatest Celtics and NBA players ever. Very underrated, total class. RIP
What a competitor! He could do it all and did. No flash, ever. I never saw him dribble behind the back or between the legs. You never heard of anyone talking badly about him. Tireless, fast, great clutch shooter. One of a kind. GREAT.
Well said
I watched him in a video once in which he said that he never got tired in a game. His conditioning was so good he felt he could play two games back to back.
A great, great NBA player whose playing and scoring skills was so advanced that few players ever reach the level of play that John Havlicek played at. Being advanced in age and a fan of the NBA, I was so privileged to see the likes of John Havlicek, and the rest of the 1960's Celtic players, in one playoff after another. I remember the "unbelievable" playing condition of all the 1960's Celtics. They had a running game that was second to none in NBA history. I vividly remember the season that the Celtics beat a Lakers team, whose starting five players were all All-Star Players. Even though LA came up short that season, it was one of the greatest ever starting five in NBA history. The 1960's NBA had no 3-point shot and there is no telling how many point-totals the likes of Havlicek would have had. A great NBA Player, and great man to boot! R-I-P John Havlicek, what a player you were!
Well said
Just a pure professional by any definition of the word, plus a true team player
One of my father's favorite players, so this was appreciated. Thanks.
RIP to a true legend of the game. It’s sad that as time goes on he might be forgotten but he was and is one of the greats
The narrator is incorrect about John being the first to excel as a sixth man. Frank Ramsey did it before John came to the Celtics. He too was a swing man at both guard and forward.
My favorite player as a kid. Bill Russell said of Havlicek being the 6th man, "If you were paying attention you would have noticed that when John came in off of the bench, he never came back out".
Never knew John H. was THAT good! I had heard folks mention him here and there but didn’t know he was as good a player as is pointed out in this video. Thanks Andy!
In the 1970s he was in his thirties and I lived in buffalo...he used to come into buffalo and ny city and rip my braves and Knicks apart...especially in the playoffs
One of the greatest players I've ever seen. His motor never stopped running. A true Celtic great !
probably the most overlooked in NBA history
Prior to the advent of cable television, there usually was just one game per week telecast for each sport. During the Celtics‘ heyday, the game of the week was usually the Celtics and whomever they played. That is how a kid growing up in pre-Pacers Indianapolis became a lifelong Celtics fan. Havlicek and Bill Russell were my LeBron and AD.
I remember
He deserves so much props and credit.
He jumped into Wendy's because of being an Ohio boy and Wendy's being an Ohio company. Also, even though I wasn't even 3 when John retired I was a Celtics fan because of him. My grandfather was a Methodist minister. One of his stops for several years was in southern Ohio (I'm from and still live in NW Ohio). John had family there where he would often visit (occasionally bringing Jerry Lucas, his tOSU buddy with him). My mother was in middle school at the time (she unfortunately has passed also) but she became quite smitten with John. So my mother followed John from tOSU, my grandfather only cared about the Buckeyes, to his career with the Celtics. Infecting my older brother with Celtics fandom, then me. Of course when Larry Bird came onto the seen it solidified for me.
Actually, Frank Ramsay was the first "sixth man" in Celtic lore, good enough to be a starter, but a player that Red Auerbach wanted around to play important minutes. Havlicek succeeded him in this role and turned out a much better player.
Coach Red invented the 6th man and Frank Ramsey was the first.
He was my mom's cousin. I grew up around him. Great guy.
Nice
Hence,the newly designed NBA sixth man of the year trophy is named after him
Had no clue he was this good, bravo man.
R.I.P to the 8x champ
Andy man I look forward to your videos! Great stuff.
Havlicek could run all day. Great player. Best 6th man ever!
Do how good was Clyde Drexler
Joshua Mandy I seen Bird light him up too
Bird light up the league.
Drexler was a Guard.
Bird was a SF/PF.
Drexler was the 2nd best SG most years of MJ's career.
love the Celtics and John , became a fan in 1959 . Thanks to my grandfather . thanks for sharing this , brought back a flood of memories from the Garden !
“Havlicek was the first true do-it-all small forward we’ve ever seen.”
< Elgin Baylor has entered the chat. >
ibelieveicansoar lol you beat me by a day!
Baylor is another great player of the era who has been mostly forgotten. He and West made the Lakers the best NBA team in the Western Conference for years.
Did Baylor play defense like Hondo though?
Good point
@@justjilly1966 no
In one 1973 East semis playoff game, Hondo scored 54 points (24-36 from field with no three-pointers) versus the Atlanta Hawks of Pete Maravich.
When he retired in 1978, he was #3 all-time in NBA scoring and #5 in assists.
I was walking through the D.C. National airport several years after Havlicek retired and there was a bit of a murmur running through the crowd about a big tall guy walking by, I immediately recognized it was John Havlicek as he was my fave player when I was a kid in the 60's/early 70's. I had never seen him in person...what struck me was how wide his shoulders were, I mean like alien wide...dude looked like a real badass, would not have wanted to tussle with him on or off the court.
One of the greatest players of all time all around. Offense and defense.
I was too young when he was playing, so I don't remember much, but I remember his endurance was always emphasized. He was the Energizer bunny of the NBA. 8 rings says it all. We hear so much about Bird but Russel and Havlicek built that Celtics dynasty.
Yes sir
Yeah...imagine starters playing 40+ minutes a game...and they weren't getting hurt right and left like today's load-managed millionaires.
Great video...
I think it would be cool to do one on Gail Goodrich or Sam Jones. the og sharpshooters
Nolan Cummings Thatd be dope
Sam Jones could very well be the most underrated player of all-time!
During his era, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson were regarded as the best guards in the league, but Sam was definitely #3 and he had the greatest bank shot of all time! I modeled my shot after his and tore up the playgrounds for years and probably never made a shot that didn't hit the backboard first!
Both very very underrated nba hall of famer
@@ailurophile17 Sam Jone's no.24 will never be worn in BOSTON again. what a shooter. if u were starting a team and u had Havlicek and Jones ,you'd be quite happy, I assure u.
@@tonym994 Tony: I'm well aware of Sam's number being retired. I actually got his autograph when I was 13 years old back in 1967. When I played HS ball in both Alaska and NH, I was perhaps the ONLY player who consistently used the backboard and I learned everything I know about the lost art from the guy who was the greatest at "taking it to the bank" that the NBA's ever seen!
Hello Andy, fan of your channel from The Philippines 🇵🇭. You put great contents and amazing facts. You research everything, that’s awesome.
If Lou Williams win this year’s 6MOY, can you do a video about him and Jamal Crawford, weigh/assess their careers on who’s the better sixth man of all time, probability of making to the HOF, etc. (You can include past winners but concentrate on the both of them)
Keep up the good work, more power.
I saw him on tv a lot....he was damned good.
- Watched his entire career and he was a joy to watch and he played the game the way it was meant to played.
Nice vid Andy. I think Red Auerbach work and every player that he brought to the league are pretty underrated. Russell, Havlicek, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn, Jojo White, Dave Cowens, Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman (Even if Red didnt draft the last two) are undershadow. I know a Lot of the players played 1-3 seasons together and maybe they were more talented than the others teams. You need more than good players to win, you need leaders, good chemistry, a coach who can handle the situation and a good GM. It's a shame the people don't recognize that they were as value as the showtime Lakers and the 90's Bulls. The league without the Minneapolis Lakers or the Celtics dominating those would be nothing. Every player of those team deserves the credit of reach the success just like they do.
Rest in piece Hondo, you were always one of the greats.You always will be one of the greats.
I met him in person when I was a kid and sat right next to him in the old Boston Garden 4th row when I saw the seat open, sat down next to him and being clueless (fearless) I asked him for an autograph for my dad, couldn’t have been nicer!!!!
I've consistently enjoyed your use of the word 'aggregate'. Makes me want to broaden my vocab
Thanks for this video. Hondo is a legend. I wish I was present during the 60s or 70s, tough gentlemen played back then. Recently I found out about Moses Malone's retiring jersey "stipulation". Seeing Dr. J getting emotional over ECF game in Boston. Unbelievable people.
@slip satch Not surprising to read that. These men are an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing.
Havlicek was ripping teams apart into his thirties in the 1970s
The fact that John Havlicek played basketball in the NBA and for the Boston Celtics says it all..That's how great Havlicek was.
When I was a little kid in the 70s, John Havlichek was my favorite player as I became a basketball fan. Celtics fans were so lucky in the 70s and 80s. Rest in peace, Hondo.
Definitely underrated when you look at where websites rank him. All time points and games played on the Celtics. He was a prime NBA player with incredible endurance!
All due respect to Larry Bird and Bill Russell, Havlicek is my all-time favorite Celtic. From 1966 til his retirement, I watched every game he played in that was on tv. EVERY one of them.
Side note : Frank Ramsey, another Celtic legend, was the first great NBA Sixth Man. More media attention got paid to the Sixth Man position, because of Red Auerbach's influence, and made Havlicek a household name. He shocked basketball fans when he became a starter, but immediately proved he was one he was one of the League's best.
His career coincided with the 76ers' Billy Cunningham, a another HOFer , who began his own NBA career as a famed Sixth Man. Their matchups were epic.
Appreciate the content. I'm 65, and always pay respects to the greats of the past, as well as to today's players. "Hondo" was a bad dude.
Well said...I remember all the black guys I knew who played ball really respected him.,..he had equal respect from black and white fans and players everywhere
Solid video dude! Hondo was a badass!!! He stole the ball... & it was all over!!!
Do a how good was Wilt Chamberlain, plz. People are always sleeping on him in the goat discussion
Cuz he definitely don't belong there
Ryan an overrated player in an era of trash players. its like a 20 yr olds 5v5 a 6 yr old
Wilt would of dominated in any era
@@Joeyland how do you know??!! Have ever watched him playing??!!
@@dr.murder2690 yes on television, have met him as well as Shaq, believe me Wilt was a freak, he averaged 30pts and 20boards seven times
Amazing video Andy ! Your content for me is by far one of best and solid in UA-cam. Keep the good work man!
My dad graduated one year ahead of John at Bridgeport HS. My dad told me he was just as good of a baseball and football player. This guy could do it all! Outstanding athlete who never got tired.
He was the last player cut by the Cleveland browns in 1962 at wide receiver... Then he joined the celtics
Red Auerbach is one of the greatest basketball minds the game has ever known he knew how to get the right players in the right positions and put together winning teams he's the one that brought Hondo into the Celtics.
Jerry west was upset when the the Lakers took Leroy Ellis in the 1962 draft just ahead of havlicek...Ellis was a decent role player but....
Followed Hondo throughout his career. The man ran forever. He did things/played the game and was never a showboat or hot dog like so many today. RIP HONDO
Rip the legend, Havlicek
Audio- Johnny Most; WBZ
0:01
He invested in Wendy's. Thanks you so much. I'm gonna miss you. RIP
Really, great business man
Hondo, john havlicek
Havlicek deserves to be top 20
I was a golf pro in Mass. We had a celebrity pro am at Sterling CC. I was looking for Hondo and this guy kept talking to me. I turned around and there was my idol introducing himself to me. It was awesome and he talked to me amount bball which I loved. Never forget that special moment.
Hondo never stopped running was at the 6th game against Phoenix triple OT insane game ...
One of my first basketball heroes. Watched plenty of games played on the "parquet" flooring of the Boston Garndens.
It is interesting to see how modern his game looks. His jump shot is almost text book. Much better than his peers. In a way similiar to Jerry West. Both were well ahead of their time.
Havlicek was preparing us for Bird. All I remember was, ..... whatever had to be done, ..... he did it. Knicks fan, at the time, ..... hated the guy. Why? Because he was SO GOOD.
Lol he regularly destroyed my Buffalo braves too for years
@@manny4552 - Yup. I was in Buffalo, though not at the games, at the time.
@@gggnumber1 some good memories