Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek dies at 79

[Dennis Donovan]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26606520/boston-celtics-legend-john-havlicek-dies-79

The Boston Celtics announced Thursday evening that John Havlicek, one of the greatest players in the history of one of the sport's most decorated franchises, died at the age of 79.

Havlicek played all of his 16 seasons in the NBA with the Celtics, winning eight championships, including one in each of the first four seasons of his career. Only two players -- Celtics teammates Bill Russell (11) and Sam Jones (10) -- have won more championships in NBA history.

Havlicek had been suffering from Parkinson's disease.

"I loved the man. I won two championships with him," former teammate Paul Silas told ESPN. "When I first got to Boston, we talked all the time. All I wanted him to do was shoot. And when he didn't, I'd go right at him. He really was one of the greatest shooters I ever saw. When we needed a big basket, he was always the guy we wanted to take the shot.''

The Celtics called Havlicek "the face of many of the franchise's signature moments."

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[PCIntern]

1. As a 76er fan, I will never forget the call which ended our playoff series

against the Celtics in the Sixties: "Havlicek stole the ball! Havlicek stole the ball!"

I was crushed then and remain so: we Philadelphians remember the ironic losses forever, the 64 Phillies, that 76er team, the non-call offsides which eliminated the Flyers, many others.

I'm not saying we don't deserve to lose those games, it's just that we don't forget....

[Botany]

2. Good bye Hondo

John was part of some of the best college and pro teams ever.