John Havlicek, a relentless force for the Boston Celtics over two decades and two championship eras and one of the greatest clutch stars in NBA history, died Thursday in Jupiter, Fla. He was 79.
His death was announced by the Celtics. No cause was given. The Boston Globe said he had Parkinson's disease.
Havlicek showed an unassuming but unyielding consistency throughout a 16-season, Hall of Fame career. He was known by the nickname "Hondo," given him by a childhood friend who had trouble pronouncing his surname and who thought Havlicek's strong, silent demeanor was reminiscent of John Wayne in the 1953 movie of the same name.
One play epitomized Havlicek's reputation as the pre-eminent hustle player of his time and possibly, as many older Celtics fan would argue, of all time.
On April 15, 1965, the Celtics were clinging to a 110-109 lead in the decisive seventh game of the 1965 Eastern Conference final playoff series. With five seconds remaining, center Bill Russell's inbounds pass from under the 76ers' basket hit a guide wire overhead, giving the 76ers the ball and a chance to win the series.
Guarding Chet Walker, a star forward for Philadelphia, in the area near the free-throw line, Havlicek began silently ticking off the five allotted seconds that 76ers guard Hal Greer had to inbound the ball. Then, at the count of four, Havlicek peeked back at Greer, who had just tossed the ball in Walker's direction.
Havlicek reached and tipped the pass to Celtics guard Sam Jones, who then dribbled out the clock to cement the Boston victory, setting off pandemonium in Boston Garden. Havlicek was hugged by Russell, mobbed by fans and stripped of his jersey.
The play was immortalized by longtime Celtics radio broadcaster Johnny Most, whose call — "Havlicek stole the ball!" — became enshrined in every highlight reel of the team's glorious history.
