Havlicek Stole the Ball - 50 Year Anniversary

On Wednesday, April 15th, one of the most iconic plays in NBA history celebrates its 50th anniversary.
With five seconds left and the Boston Celtics clinging to a one point lead over Wilt Chamberlain’s Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals, John Havlicek achieved basketball immortality. In this special look back at that moment, viewers will see why the play was so special, and why, through one of the most famous calls in sports history, “Havlicek Stole the Ball” lives on to this day. Courtesy: The Boston Globe, April 16 © 1965, 2005. The Boston Globe. Used under License
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[@mindfulnumber8495]

R.I.P John Havlicek 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@LUHJESSERR]

R.I.P

[@ryan.wille15]

May he RIP

[@matheuseibell]

R.I.P my grandfather 🙏🙏

[@terrancethomas9792]

He said he didn’t have his jersey. Someone has it. Wait a minute. Why teams don’t give their star players extra jerseys so after an important game. Those jerseys can be auctioned to help an organization or people. During Katrina, Brees’ jerseys should have been auctioned to help the people of New Orleans. Jordan’s jerseys could have been sold to help gun violence in Chicago. Big Papi or Brady’s jerseys could help needy groups in New England.

[@davidchan9632]

Sorry I've never had a chance to meet him. I go to Boston, MA every year in December. Everytime I'm there I think of J. Havlicek & Robert Urich. Boston is beautiful.

[@mrsceltics]

RIP Hondo, sadly he passed today, April 25, 2019. Always in our heart.

[@reyjeff4297]

Mrs. Boston Celtics between him and Pistol Pete were some amazing highlights

[@tomc7356]

RIP legend.... one of the impactful players in NBA history

[@dusk6159]

Hondo is nothing but a top 3 Celtics and top 30s all time player Too overlooked for the load and victory he brought in his ironman career

[@oldsensei8350]

@@dusk6159 more like a top 20 player alltime

[@loydkline]

Larry bird take notes

[@loydkline]

John havlichek tells Larry bird 📝 takes notes & study

[@NBA]

50 years ago today!!!

[@RobertDouglasLW]

Johnny F-ing Most.

[@bruceleeali]

Maybe you guys and gals out there can help me? I own a lot of basketball cards dating back to 78' all are in mint or near mint condition due to the fact that I keep them in hard plastic. I want to sell them since my kids don't have the passion I had for collecting them and I don't have the space for them. Thanks

[@gordonarmstrong1118]

michael brown Morning Mr. Man.. Check the Hobby Stores In your hood

[@bruceleeali]

Gordon Armstrong I kinda done that Mr. Armstrong, they tell me with the amount of cards I have I may have to go to a card show

[@mikedudley9644]

When the most famous games ever

[@janicebugarin7620]

From 1962 to 1978 He had 8 championships tons of all stars A lot of finals appeared And the greatest steal RIP John Hondo Havlicek

[@manny4552]

Never lost in the finals... Celtics alltime leading scorer

[@blackshot]

To this day...that ball has never been seen again.

[@RobbinBanksInc]

literally since someone actually stole the ball

[@reyjeff4297]

Haha, funny, Rip Havlicek

[@danrode104]

You can see the guy run away with it.

[@amills1469]

@@danrode104 LMAO THAT DUDE WAS OUT 😂😂😂

[@jjs777fzr]

We need to kick off an investigation into the stolen ball. Find the guy and recover that ball.

[@kimbatteau1]

We Celtic fans can repeat every word... Love it... Johnny Most: "Greer's putting the ball in play...HAVLICEK STOLE THE BALL!!!!!!... IT'S ALL OVER!!!..." Goosebumps... chills in spades... Unforgettable... Tonight the Celts play the Sixers... Go Celts!!!!!

[@joesakic91]

Greatest steals in Celtics history: John Havlicek against the 76ers in 1965, Gerald Henderson's steal in the 1984 NBA Finals against the Lakers and Larry Bird's steal against the Pistons in 1987.

[@Amick44]

+joesakic91 Yes, all huge ones.

[@raybaker7286]

Not only Celtics history, this is one of the best steals in NBA history

[@SpFlash1523]

Man the celtics must love stealing balls in the clutch moments

[@mikes3827]

It's TRULY amazing just HOW many greatest-of-the-great calls in sports history that Boston has been fortunate enough to have. Really unlike any other city.

[@jjs777fzr]

You forgot M.L. Carr steal against the Lakers.

[@pancit8403]

HAVILCEK STOLE THE BALL

[@davidgottschall1398]

Tony Bennett my granddad is the announcer

[@davidreynolds1368]

So my dad was at that game..front row and we saw him in some of the newspaper photos the following day. Fast forward to the early 80s.. I was involved in a pro am ski event in southern vermont, for some charity,and John gets put on my team! stars in my eyes even though I was the pro skier. He of course, was proficient skiing, as a world class athlete.. but also such a gentleman and regular guy!

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

That had to be a heck of a moment for you!

[@fakiemoney1754]

R.I.P Wilt chamberline

[@20thCenturyMan80]

Celtic Legends never die, they just fade away.

[@jingqi9106]

John Havlicek had such fine character, he had other worldly stamina, and he's one of the greatest players of all-time. But most of all, he was clutch! 💪

[@SpaceGhost67]

Johnny Havlicek and Johnny Most will be known of from coast to coast, Hondo and the Great Grey Ghost, 1000 years from today or so long as the world endures.

[@danrode104]

The best small forward in NBA history. From a knick fan.

[@mikey352]

Who’s here after the news😭 RIP John Havlicek

[@innertubez]

Have to admit I am. RIP to this legend. I had never seen that clip before. Havlicek definitely came up with the clutch play of all clutch plays. And the call was pure gold.

[@Daniel-dj4ge]

RIP Legend😭😭😭 may you rest in peace🙏🙏

[@marvinstheman88]

He was still a young player at this point. He went on to have one of the greatest and most underrated careers in NBA history after this point.

[@TheCancerkilla]

The iconic play in NBA history. RIP Johnny.

[@freddyfurrah3789]

John havlicek is my favorite basketball player of all time. He was an amazing all-around athlete.

[@blackpanther1773]

8x NBA Champion and Boston Celtics all-time leading scorer.. Hondo is a legend.🔥🔥

[@amypeterson4615]

My childhood heroes. Still are.

[@kenwaid8239]

Godspeed John Havlicek, in your prime you'd teach some of today's so-called "Elite" a lesson on how to play with strength, poise, pure grit, and above all else, Class.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

I agree 100%! Today's players need a lesson in basketball! They need someone like him to teach these young guys what it's really about! Others like Bill Russell ...Larry Bird.. All tremendous players that these guys could learn from!

[@smilnjac]

No one was better. RIP

[@cynthiashearer5710]

I remember listening to that moment on my 6 volt transister radio as a 12 yr old STILL gives me chills

[@johns1280]

Me too.

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@johns1280 you watched Russell Celtics in the 60s?

[@johns1280]

@@casualfandestroyer2503 Yes I did. I'm from western Massachusetts. Hondo, Bill Russell, Sam Jones (bank shot), KC Jones. They were the greatest. I saw the Celtics play the Philadelphia Warriors (Wilt Chamberlain) at Boston Garden.

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@johns1280 wow I wish grew up in that era with you man, any memories or stories you could share with me? Also were you able to save any footage of that era?

[@johns1280]

@@casualfandestroyer2503 No footage, this was before dvr's etc. He'll I didnt even have a color tv to watch til the 1970's. I have a lot of memories of Bill Russell defensive rebounds and then the outlet pass to start the fast break. Celtics had a great fast break. The bank shots by Sam Jones. I remember Red Auerbach, the coach would light up a victory cigar when the Celtics had the victory locked. He'd light up the cigar right on the bench. Back then you could smoke in the arenas. I remember one time the Celtics were way ahead and he lit up the cigar and the other team almost came back and won. The Celtics hung on and won though.

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

He played 16 seasons back in the day when the NBA was physical as hell!

[@dulogmaz]

1:57 Nice physical defense right there

[@zackrodriguez7519]

@@dulogmaz so would you rather foul Wilt and send him to the line for an and 1 to possibly tie the game? Because you're not stopping Wilt from dunking that ball.

[@mikeprevost8650]

@@zackrodriguez7519 Wilt was one of the worst foul shooters ever in the NBA. He was 51% lifetime from the stripe, and 46.4% that season. The real danger was Philly getting the rebound off his missed shot and scoring the winning basket.

[@zackrodriguez7519]

@@mikeprevost8650 what i meant was someone trying to get in the way of his dunk, which you weren't going to block. Dude would just jump over you and get an and one

[@johns1280]

I'm from Massachusetts. I watched this game on TV. I was 12 years old. I was jumping up and down over and over. Tears were just streaming down my face as I watched this now.

[@razorback9926]

Johnny Most’s call is what makes this play live on. Probably the most memorable call in sports history, right up there with Russ Hodges “Giants win the pennant” and Chick Anderson’s “Secretariat has opened a 22 length lead.”

[@billydurham4143]

He .. could.. go.. all.. the ..way

[@billydurham4143]

Do you believe in miracles

[@mikeprevost8650]

Chic's best and most memorable call was "He is moving like a tremendous machiiiiine".

[@andrewbaroch2141]

God bless John Havlicek and each of us who overcome...

[@connorduke4619]

What made this moment great is the commentator started with a low crackling voice and once the steal was made his voice instantly became that of a tenor singer.

[@RiruKrypto_]

Can't believed this guy lived 50 years to say this now he can RIP! 🙏

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

He was only 50 years old? Damn things must have been rough....😂😂😂. Great player! RIP Hondo!

[@LesterMoore]

I recall the entire gang of young teenager boys watching and hearing this game in a friend's living room. As we all hated the Celtics we were coach Hal Greer telling him to find the cutter. When Most screams, "Havlecek stole the ball!" Our hearts sunk and nervous smile to frowns

[@smoothALOE]

Such an awesome moment! It’s not just the excitement and drama of the play, but also the embrace of John and Bill. It’s wonderful to watch.

[@jakebellinger8496]

RIP John Havlicek. Thank you for the memories!

[@windellmcspindell3652]

RIP John. You were a great one.

[@williamfrankferge1957]

Havlicek steals it!

[@abee3515]

That Celtics team will live on forever.

[@michaelclarke2658]

This NEVER gets old.

[@vestibulate]

The thrill has never gone. Like it was yesterday.

[@eddierivera1860]

He was the BEST to me!!!!!!! I absolutely Love him!!!!!!!!!!!

[@davids.3534]

Havlicek stole our hearts.

[@chrisschell7372]

Man what a Moment and what a Legend😍🥺 R.I.P.

[@russs7574]

One of the greatest 6th men in NBA history. 5:53 I've got that record album. It's from Fleetwood Records, and back in the 60's and 70's they specialized in making LP Albums of sports highlights...and "Havlicek Stole the Ball" is one of the ones I have.

[@glowgirl8171]

I met him when I was 15. Got his autograph ,too. Wow. R.I.P Johnny Havlicek.

[@JB-kh3qs]

Rest In Peace You were a legend John. 💪

[@mekayapeebles9917]

Rip John never forgotten

[@davejones6245]

Top 5 Moments In NBA History For Sure. R.I.P Legend.

[@23mgab]

Underrated part of this, after Havlicek shoots it, a Guy take the rebound and stole it also :D Look at him go, hilarious

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

He wanted to make sure nobody took it back! LOL

[@antoinehalik]

RIP champ! Ours hearts are with you!

[@justa335]

RIP and thank you Red Auerbach, Sam Jones, Tommy Heinsihn, KC Jones, John Havlicek, Bill Russel. I wonder who among that legendary team of the 60's is still with us.

[@louisecote3063]

Rest In Peace, John.

[@jameshaney171]

A classic sports moment. RIP Bro

[@RySenkari]

Bill Russell, the greatest teammate of all time. He loved his teammates like brothers. Anybody who ever played in the NBA would have loved to have played alongside him.

[@sandman4224]

From Havlicek steals the ball to Bird steals the ball - Johnny Most had two of the best calls in the history of sports

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

The Celtics have some Legendary players throughout the history of that team!

[@markanderson3669]

RIP Hondo... you were one classy gentleman. I love how quickly the fan (who got the game ball off a rebound at the end of the game) runs off the court...as quick as a flash, in a suit and all. I wonder if they still have it?

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

I'm guessing they wanted to make sure nobody took it from them! LOL

[@liduck52]

I heard this play live on the radio, but I heard the 76ers broadcast with Andy Musser.

[@billlawlor4858]

I'm from Philly. I was fourteen. My big brother and I sat on the floor in front of the black&white TV---------and nearly died when Hondo stole the ball.

[@Celluloidwatcher]

John "Hondo" Havlicek (the nickname, Hondo, given due to Havlicek's resemblance to John Wayne), Ohio State All-American, NBA legend with the Boston Celtics. May he R.I.P. Thank you for making Ohio and Boston proud of your exploits in the game of basketball. They were very much appreciated. Unlike most of today's players, you were about contributing to your teams' successes. That I can rest on, most assuredly.

[@rhallnapa]

Clemente, Palmer, Havlicek. All my heroes are gone. RIP.

[@JohnCrichton]

:(

[@liamkeyes2260]

I was only after coming over from the Old Country at the time. Wow! I'm an old man now!!! Go Celtics!!!

[@TheHummingbirder]

Rest in peace, John. You'll not be forgotten.

[@austinsmith1505]

One of the most iconic steals in the history of basketball

[@jimhowaniec]

A very sad day for this 50+ year Celtics fan.

[@SoupRS]

RIP

[@liluziskrt6225]

"JAMES HARDEN STOLE THE BALL!!!" ~ said no one ever

[@dulogmaz]

James Har_en He's fourth in the league.

[@Dom2K]

Hes a league lead.....never mind

[@dulogmaz]

He was second for most of the season, then The Klaw showed up.

[@hprice8922]

James Har_en he is number 5 in steals per game

[@raulabdullayev7749]

James Har_en He stole Lebron's balls tho...

[@NineteenEightyFive]

STILL gives me chills...

[@johng830]

Most memorable moment in sports

[@XBradTC]

RIP, Mr. Havlicek.

[@alexhughes4294]

Rip Legend

[@royalhartigan]

i can still see hondo havlicek running up and down the court, never tiring or losing his intensity. with bill russell, kc jones, sam jones, cousy, heinsohn, sanders, sharman, ramsay, jo jo white, cowens, silas, nelson, howell, and many others they played basketball the way it is meant to be played, without ego and committed to the team first. it is sad today isn't even an imitation of the true sport, just a front, like all other 'sports' in north america, college and pro, for corporate criminal gambling organizations. r.i.p., john you inspired us always!

[@jaydenjank3879]

R.I.P to a legend

[@rickmccarty9856]

1973 My father and I saw Hondo with his wife and a small child on a little out of the way golf course called twin oaks. We were on the 9th tee and he was on the 6th green. My father said do you see John Havlicek putting. I was 13 and ask about approaching him for a autograph but my father said he's with his family and we aren't going to disturb him. What a great person my father was because Hondo was my father's favorite player. 1973.

[@tomy5868]

NBA stud. could not tell what the score was by watching him play...100% winning or losing or tied. STUD.

[@jamessharkey7784]

R.I.P to a legend 🙏🏼☘️.

[@t-mofisher8922]

RIP a legend

[@Jerseysson27]

#RIPJohnHavlicek Thanks for a great moment in sports and more. Even though we are fans of different teams.

[@northernreflections4653]

Pretty spectacular piece of basketball history...RIP Mr. Havlicek

[@williamstalvey6920]

Sure enjoyed watching you play#17 LEGEND

[@PassionatePhD]

Rest In Peace, John Havlicek. Thank you for the joy and inspiration you gave to so many. May your rest be as glorious as your life.

[@westend4017]

RIP Legend☘️

[@diegosalamanca9007]

When i saw the bad news, i come to this video... Rip legend

[@fongyuenemilysai1]

RIP Hondo, true legend

[@raymondciampichini126]

Hal Greer was one of my favorite players during that time period, but I also loved watching Hondo Havlicek play. He was so steady. The jump shot to the left of the key was automatic for John. I remember as a kid watching that famous game and rooting for the 76'ers. Though racked with disappointment, I don't feel bad that Havlicek stole the ball. If it was somebody else ,well. John may God rest your soul, you were a good one. One of the best in the NBA

[@frederickrapp5396]

Greer needed to put more arc on the ball, and throw it in quicker. He didn’t put quite enough lift on his inbound pass to Walker. Hondo was counting to himself, and when he got to 4 Mississippi and Greer still had not inbounded, Johnny Havlicek made his move.

[@vince065us.2]

What a humble man he was!

[@raider8sox]

so happy to have Havlicek on my team on 2k16! He saved my ass so many times >_

[@cfboucher]

RIP Hondo. Thanks for all the memories.

[@jfil5518]

RIP big guy John Havlicek

[@j.grinnell79]

RIP John. One of the greats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mauriceg.j7065]

Such a legend.

[@LUHJESSERR]

R.I.P we loved you in boston

[@31olegna]

See NBA fans. Even your "real" legends had help of capturing success.

[@MiserableOldFart]

You mean Russell? Hell, he had tremendous teammates. Satch Sanders would have been a perennial all star on any other team, and probably would have scored a lot to boot. Sam, KC, Heinsohn, Havlicek were all great. One on one, Russell couldn't stand up to Chamberlain, and Wayne Embry gave him fits, but he was still one of the greatest ever. Interesting stat in this series: Russell was not a good free throw shooter, and Chamberlain was atrocious, but the Dipper outshot Russell from the foul line in this series. In a couple years, the Celtics would lose Siegfried, Embry, Bailey Howell, Jim Barnett and a few other fine players in expansion drafts, which hurt them going forward.

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@MiserableOldFart In playoff/finals meetings between Russell and Chamberlain, Wilt's scoring went down each time Wilt = 37.6 ppg in 1959/60 season Wilt = 30.5 ppg vs Russell in 1960 EDF (- 7.1 ppg) Wilt = 50.4 ppg in 1961/62 season Wilt = 33.6 ppg vs Russell in 1962 EDF (- 16.8 ppg) Wilt = 36.9 ppg in 1963/64 season Wilt = 29.2 ppg vs Russell in 1964 Finals (- 7.7 ppg) Wilt = 34.7 ppg 1964/65 season Wilt = 30.1 ppg vs Russell in 1965 EDF (- 4.6 ppg) Wilt = 33.5 ppg in 1965/66 season Wilt = 28.0 ppg vs Russell in 1966 EDF (- 5.5 ppg) Wilt = 24.1 ppg in 1966/67 season Wilt = 21.6 ppg vs Russell in 1967 EDF (- 2.5 ppg the only time he beat Russell) Wilt = 24.3 ppg in 1967/68 season Wilt = 22.1 ppg vs Russell in 1968 EDF (- 2.2 ppg) Wilt = 20.5 ppg in 1968/69 season Wilt = 11.7 ppg vs Russell in 1969 Finals (- 8.8 ppg) And this is without factoring in that Wilt likely padded his stats in blowout situations, like we saw in the 1962 EDF. Russell - a genius who molded his came to fit the needs of multiple title runs Wilt - less of a helpful impact on his team's success.

[@BoosterGoldEarth6]

Yet Wilt always outscore Russell and outrebounded him.

[@Corpotobestdoto]

R.I.P. Legend!

[@georgedudleysashtray3860]

RIP to a legend

[@joecasey7415]

Johnny Most's call was of course a huge part of why that play is so remembered

[@neddane898]

Rest In Peace 💚

[@marcasbrasilmarketing170]

Descanse em Paz Havlicek... agradecemos por sua nobre carreira nesse maravilhoso Basketball..

[@mrhairline4296]

Legend RIP

[@AmigoKandu]

Hondo, thanks for the great memories. RIP

[@8Spagheddy]

Good old legends

[@BostonsF1nest]

Most iconic call in sports history