NBA
Who is the Boston Celtics all-time leading scorer?
Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek, who played between 1962 to 1978, has secured his place in the history books as the team’s all-time leading scorer.
John Havlicek, a basketball icon and Boston Celtics legend, passed away on April 25, 2019, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of sports. Havlicek spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning an impressive eight NBA championships with the team. This achievement places him in the same league or just below basketball greats Sam Jones and Bill Russell, who won more career titles.
Havlicek’s record of eight NBA titles, with a perfect 8-0 record in NBA Finals is a feat only three players have achieved in the game’s history. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever played the game, and his contributions to the sport have earned him a place in the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Who was John Havlicek?
John Havlicek was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where his parents managed a general store. His father was of Czech origin, while his mother hailed from Croatia. Havlicek’s basketball journey began at Ohio State University. He won the NCAA title in 1960 and was designated as an alternate on the United States national team for the Rome 1960 Summer Olympics.
Recognizing his exceptional talent, the Boston Celtics drafted Havlicek as a versatile swingman capable of playing guard and forward positions. His incredible stamina and determination on the court made him a hard opponent, with many competitors confessing they struggled to keep up with him. Celtics head coach Red Auerbach hailed Havlicek as “the guts of the team,” His impact on the game is that he revolutionized the “sixth man” role in the NBA.
Havlicek’s list of accomplishments is long and illustrious, including an impressive number of All-Star appearances, 8 NBA championships, and the NBA Finals MVP award in 1974. He retired in 1978, with his number 17 jersey immediately withdrawn by the Celtics. Havlicek’s basketball career was marked by several milestones, including being named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1980 and his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
He is the Celtics’ all-time leading scorer, with an impressive 26,395 points (20.8 points per game), and he played in 1,270 games, which ranks 30th all-time. Havlicek was also the first player to score 1,000 points in 16 consecutive seasons, with his best scoring season was 1970-71, where he averaged an excellent 28.9 points per game.