The NBA’s 50 Greatest Duos Of All-Time
By Duncan Smith
12. Bill Russell and John Havlicek, Boston Celtics
The duo of Bill Russell and John Havlicek nearly bridged the eras for the Boston Celtics from the mid-1950’s, when Russell began his NBA career with the Celtics, merged through 1962 through 1969 when Russell and Havlicek played together, and stretched until Havlicek retired after the 1978 season.
In short, Havlicek was just a couple seasons shy of having played with both Bill Russell and Larry Bird, which is incredible continuity for a franchise.
Of course, when you win like the Celtics did over the decades, why go anywhere else?
Over the course of those seven seasons that Russell and Havlicek played together in Boston, the Celtics won six championships, and boasted a record of 395-170, winning 69.9 percent of their games.
Of note, Russell won a total of 11 NBA championships over the course of his career, with five of those coming before Havlicek was even drafted, and Havlicek won a total of eight championships, with two coming after Russell retired.
Next: Number 11