John Havlicek Dies At Age 79

Boston Celtics legend and Basketball Hall Of Famer John Havlicek died on April 25, 2019 at the age of 79. NESN takes a look back at No. 17's splendid 16-year career. For more: nesn.com/boston-celtics/
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[@alsimbolon6247]

The tireless legend finally rest. RIP Mr. Havlicek.

[@yellolab09]

The best thing you can ever say about someone: He was a GOOD man.

[@Dtrain927]

🙏

[@thomaskelly8571]

Not an emotional guy and I do not get wrapped up in celebrity heroes but Hondo's passing brought a tear to my eye. Great player and a very classy gentleman. RIP Hondo.

[@chiefleapinglizard7502]

One of the greatest athletes of all time!

[@oldsensei8350]

From around 1969 till 1974 he was in a zone..in his 30s by 1970 he tore the whole nba apart for several years he was relentless never tired...always played at such a high level

[@sickagain7541]

ONE OF THE GREATEST TO SET FOOT ON THE HARDWOOD. JOHN, YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!!.

[@deathblade2372]

🙏 R.I.P🙏 John “Hondo” Havlicek You will always be remembered

[@mnation1477]

I came and I saw that he died like damn great guy player husband and dad R.I.P John Havlicek NBA legend and hall of famer we will miss you

[@tmcche7881]

The first NBA game that I attended was Boston vs NY. My Dad took me for my birthday. I was 7 on the 17th that month. John Havlicek was a rookie wearing number 17. Guess who became my childhood hero? That’s right! Number 17.

[@donpjen515]

A colossus on the court. All Class to boot!

[@robertmendez2548]

When I heard that John Havlicek had passed away it was like losing a family member, R.I.P. # 17.

[@prodogegamer2384]

now it’s kobe life sucks

[@oldsensei8350]

I hear ya

[@spiritofvincennes]

The original legend. 'Hondo'. He was drafted by all three major sports leagues. As a person and as a player he was true American role model.

[@ramadama2613]

I remember him well. Had no idea of his ailment.

[@eddierivera8556]

He was my favorite player when I first saw him play that was it for me. I HURT will always remember Mr. Perpetual Motion RIP Hondo.

[@73Trident]

RIP Hondo you were great watch.

[@mctavish23]

Never stopped moving and running.

[@elialpert6366]

RIP Hondo. Thanks for the memories.

[@shannonmcdonough3705]

Rest in Heaven Hondo

[@368FORDHAM]

A cool, brainy, highly scientific and physical player. My favorite during the 60s. We grieve and pray.!

[@felixmadison5736]

I'll never forget that game in 1965 when "Havlicek stole the ball!!!" I was 16 years-old. I grew watching the Celtics, and John 'Hondo' Havlicek was my favorite player. John's nickname was: 'Perpetual Motion' because he was always moving on the court, trying to get open, or make a play. He wasn't just a great player but a great person as well. RIP John. You will never be forgotten.

[@AlikStansberry]

You were 16?!? That's insane!

[@liduck52]

I was 13 and heard it live on WCAU radio in Philly. I lived just east of JFK airport in NY.

[@winnhill3736]

I was 6 1/2.😊

[@felixmadison5736]

@@AlikStansberry You've never heard of a person being 16 years of age before?!

[@felixmadison5736]

@@winnhill3736 WOW!!! You must have been so excited!😂

[@anandguruji83]

R.I.P BOSTON CELTICS LEGEND JOHN HAVLICEK 1940-2019

[@anandguruji83]

R.I.P BOSTON CELTICS LEGEND JOHN HAVLICEK 1940-2019

[@leoderosia9279]

He is easily on Celtics mt Rushmore along with Russell, bird and cousy....very sad day for celtic fans over 50 ....He ran younger guys into the ground and I never thought he would be the first legend to die

[@senseichess8688]

Well said

[@briancallahan2792]

One of the most underrated players.....EVER

[@yathatsright5958]

My Dad was a Department Head at a Hospital and I also worked there. He dealt with many vendors and would get tickets for various Boston sports teams. Havlicek's last game was on a Sunday. On the Friday before, My Dad pages me to his office, I answer and he says come to my office. I go in and he hands me 2 tickets to Havlicek's last game, I'm walking on air! I go down to the storeroom to ask my buddy if he wants to go. Before I could ask him, he tells me he just got a date with this girl he has been in love with for about 6 months and he was taking her out Sunday. I asked what they were doing and he said I have no clue. I hand him the 2 tickets and wished him luck. He comes in Monday and I asked how the date went, he said ok. I asked how were the seats? He said phenomenal...1st balcony, 1st row, center court and Havlicek was looking right at them the whole time he spoke. So I had to ask....did you get lucky? No ! Did you at least kiss her? No......what a waste of tickets and the only time in my life I contemplated suicide!!!

[@oldsensei8350]

Lol

[@Gnofg]

I copied my game after his. I saw the famous steal live on tv. he was one of my favorites. RIP

[@fredflintstone2958]

Wow....this sucks. John Havlicek. Take a break, now....this hurts more than I thought it would.

[@lloydkline3265]

The original six man in the NBA or the greatest six man in basketball history , my hero

[@lloydkline1518]

❤ john havlicek legendary nba basketball player

[@winnhill3736]

​@@lloydkline3265Maybe but don't overlook Don Nelson 4 being a great 6th man.

[@thescout8804]

He was a legend, remembered in basketball history, sad to see his pass.

[@elijahtheboxingfan3877]

🙏RIP John

[@edwardyoung522]

My favorite Celtic. Goodbye, Hondo.

[@darnellbush2408]

Hondo Havlicek used to wreak havoc coming off the bench. For me he was the ULTIMATE 6TH MAN. It is such an honr to name the 6TH Man Award after him.💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@d820m]

John was also drafted by, and played in pre-season (or at least spent a training camp with) with the Cleveland Browns as a tight end

[@DemetriLand]

54 years ago this play happend

[@winnhill3736]

He was definitely 1 of my favorites 2 watch when i had high hopes of being a basketball star.He really hustled and never stopped moving in order 2 get open.I remember him playing with a hurt shoulder in the playoffs and not many would do that today.

[@williammize8270]

Legends of the game big O Kareem and Hondo #17 havlicek

[@Jacky56165]

maybe we never see Hondo play basketball,but he is real legend in our mind.

[@2Oldcoots]

"Havlicheck Stole the Ball--Havlicheck Stole the Ball!!!" He runs and he runs. He was a Great Man too, and unforgettable!

[@wilrobles5392]

Before Bird there was John. RIP

[@felixmadison5736]

You got that right!!! Hondo never has to take a back seat to anyone! He was 'Larry Bird' before there ever was a Larry Bird.

[@d820m]

too bad Havlicek didn't hang around another two seasons to help Bird in his transition to pro ball....those old Celtics teams had a history of players literally training their successors....Frank Ramsey did that with Havlicek....KC and Sam Jones practicing against Cousy and Bill Sharman made them that much better when those two stepped aside....Heinson did the same for both Satch Sanders and Don Nelson when the Lakers traded him to Boston1

[@oldsensei8350]

@@d820m yes sir

[@lloydkline1518]

Larry bird doesn"t make gor john havicek ❤ john havlicek

[@oldsensei8350]

@@d820m watching havlicek run with bird for a year or two would have been fun to watch

[@ebsmith29]

Rest in peace Hondo and JoJo White.

[@DemetriLand]

HAVLICEK STOLE THE BALL ITS ALL OVER ITS ALL OVER

[@danrode104]

John Havlichek was the best small forward in NBA history. From a knick fan.

[@pranksterboy8371]

Dan Rode I wouldn’t go that far my Opinion it’s bird

[@oldsensei8350]

Id say bird...then maybe havlicek...your right...he was that good . certainly in the discussion

[@danrode104]

Prankster: Larry the great. No doubt. Bird was a legit 6-9. I stood next to him one time at the garden. He also played next to longest 6-11 forward ever. McHale. Also (my opinion) Birds D would show on lesser teams. Hondo's D was tenacious. Wish the Knicks had both...

[@lloydkline6946]

❤john havlicek, pre Larry bird basketball player

[@eddierivera1860]

SAD hes my favorite basketball player of all time. I still have friends callll me HONDO I truly Loved Mr.Havlicek

[@lloydkline1518]

❤ john havlichek

[@armandorodriguez6447]

No bs basketball era he was one of the best

[@joeyb3880]

RIP

[@randysandberg5615]

For some reason, John's name is usually not brought up when talking about the all-time forwards or guards of the NBA. Why? I've never heard a bad word spoken about John. He was a competitor, but not a dirty player. His stamina was unbelievable. In the 1969 NBA Finals, he averaged 48 minutes per game!!

[@senseichess8688]

Hes a top 10 all time at both positions in reality

[@Amick44]

@@senseichess8688 And strange as this may sound, I think that hurts him a bit in rankings. People often aren't sure to classify him as a forward or a guard.

[@oldsensei8350]

@@Amick44 indeed sir

[@daddybog7189]

John was not only a great player, but a even greater person. R I P # 17

[@mackyoruba9534]

Too many seem to forget (or do not know) that Hondo ran track before playing in the NBA. While everyone was tired by the end of the 3rd quarter, Hondo was just warming up. A dead-eye shooter, Hondo would take a shot and run back to play defense before the ball ripped the nets! While he has the big stats, that does not show how great he was. He was an athlete first, and basketball player second. Go ahead, name the guard or forward of any era, Hondo would run their tongues out by the end of 3rd quarter!

[@senseichess8688]

You are spot on well said

[@leestamm3187]

Good man, great player.

[@oldsensei8350]

He is easily in the top 15 to 20 player list of alltime

[@frankahearn3748]

There was a reason why that steal was so important, the play before Russell was to In bound the ball but according to Russell said he hit the cross-wire of the basket and lost possession. During the time out Russell said to his teammates please someone bail me out I blew this game, up steps Honda to steal the ball and Russell said I wanted to kiss him for bailing me out or I would have been the goat losing that game. If you watch the film after the crowd had Honda in the air you will see Russell reaching for him to thank him. True story!

[@johnjohnson3745]

Legend in his own right. Was Phil Nekro's Wide receiver in high school in Ohio. Phil was quarterback. They said his lungs were so big that they had to xray them one at a time.

[@senseichess8688]

Yes

[@zhizhongzhang7251]

A short memory man

[@sananto6896]

In the game Havlicek was perpetual motion.....non-stop.

[@zhizhongzhang7251]

Remember NBA legend

[@ronnelcanibas844]

RIP Hondo

[@RICHBLACKCOCK]

Well. Kept seeing the number 78 on April 23 2019going to and fro from work. 2days later I found out that Honda passed away. Always dug him. Constant motion with a non stop motor. What grabs me is this: 1969 early may. Lakers Celtics. Gm7 Fabulous forum I’m 6 yrs in and #44 in the gold and purple uni is tearing it up. The guy in green wearing 17 is primarily Guarding him that was the first sports championship anywhere I ever saw. 4 yrs later. Guess who #17 again and playing on a floor with parquet wood under his sneakers blew my mind 2008celtics raise banner with Honda standing right there with em

[@oldsensei8350]

Yes well said ..it was hondo of C ourse

[@ppumpkin3282]

Havlicek was known to be a medical specimen. It took two xrays to cover his lungs and his resting heart rate was in the forties. I too have extra large lungs and my resting heart is in the fifties but if I ran the full court once I would be out of breath.

[@buckeyewill2166]

Energizer Bunny before the Energizer Bunny

[@yourontheair]

great

[@zhizhongzhang7251]

Which is AbA assistant coach

[@williammize8270]

True story on that one? I doubt he was looking at you guys the whole time but

[@ppumpkin3282]

I have a low pulse rate too. Resting heart rate low fifties. But I would be winded if I ran the court two times.

[@thetimetraveler6259]

BIRD/COUSY/RUSSELL/HAVLICEK/MCHALE-TOP 5 CELTS-R.I.P. JOHN

[@winnhill3736]

Those are great players listed and the Celtics had so many back then that I occasionally 4 get about a few until reminded by these videos,etc.

[@joeseddit]

Among the greatest Celtics of all-time for sure. Where do you rank him? So many greats. Probably have to put Bird ahead of him. And maybe Russell. Then it's Havlicek, I think. Although I'm posting here without thinking it completely through. I need two more to make a top five. Cowens, McHale? Jo Jo? Cousy. Forgot about Cousy. Never saw him play but they say he was great.

[@oldsensei8350]

Russell..then bird. Then havlicek...then cousy..then mchale.

[@oldsensei8350]

Of course s Jones ..cowens...white...pierce and garnett were great too

[@joeseddit]

@@oldsensei8350 Can't argue that. I'd have Bird first but I only caught the very end of Russell's career. Those first four on your list kinda represent separate championship chapters for the Celtics. It was fun growing up Celtics fan. Great franchise. 'Course the franchise MVP would have to be Red Auerbach.

[@Mrd9960]

​​@@oldsensei8350mmm, that might be a pick em, I think I'd have to put Havlicek equal with Bird, he played slightly longer, 16 years and didn't have any major injury problems, except in the 73 playoffs, I think he had more energy than Bird and could play more minutes without getting tired, it was crazy how many minutes Havlicek played, 48 plus minutes, so many games, I love Bird, don't get me wrong, but to me, John was just as good and maybe a more fierce competitor, he could shoot, rebound and pass, just as good as Bird and was just as clutch, he really should have gotten atleast 1 mvp in the 70s, it's a shame, he really does get forgotten about, in the big picture, of all time greatest nba players.

[@winnhill3736]

​@@oldsensei8350Hard 2 decide amongst so many greats.Even Sir Charles Barkley said that McHale was the greatest he played against.2 big 4 a forward 2 cover and 2 quick 4 a center 2 guard plus his long arms made him tough 2 handle.A great unselfish team player.

[@NOVA7128]

THE BEST, "6TH MAN" ...IN THE GAME😞😞

[@oldsensei8350]

Yes sir...of course he was a starter too for much of his career

[@zhizhongzhang7251]

Johnny cash you already know

[@billhaywood3503]

oh :(

[@zhizhongzhang7251]

Who tell me man

[@CJFBoxing]

The other sad thing is the Celtics fans

[@CJFBoxing]

RIP

[@buckchile614]

Havlicek was fouled on that last shot

[@luketia]

Did you have to say "dead" like that?

[@bellmane45]

Right, he should've said "passes".

[@baronvonnembles]

@@bellmane45 Dead, passed, croaked, gave up the ghost, turned belly up, ran out the string, checked in to the worm motel, what difference does it make? He's dead Jim!

[@bellmane45]

@@baronvonnembles It makes a big difference dummy.

[@4orrcountry]

@@bellmane45 Nope, not at all.

[@zhizhongzhang7251]

Wilt chamberlain

[@zhizhongzhang7251]

Bobby cousy

[@geoprof6993]

Listen at the 23 second mark of kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZnTopyJeJmUitE ... and you'll hear Hondo pronounced his last name as ... HAV il check. Yet Johnny Most and, indeed today's announcers, like the guy in this video, pronounce his name as ... hav LA check. Wouldn't it be a form of respect if the media would correctly pronounce the names of the people they cover?

[@Zappa870]

RIP Hondo