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The 25 Greatest Sixth Men Of All Time

By Carter Johnson

Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Basketball: Boston Celtics John Havlicek (17) in action vs Denver Nuggets Bobby Jones (24) at McNichols Sports Arena. Denver, CO 3/1/1978 CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X22247 )
Basketball: Boston Celtics John Havlicek (17) in action vs Denver Nuggets Bobby Jones (24) at McNichols Sports Arena.Denver, CO 3/1/1978CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X22247 ) /

1. John Havlicek, Boston Celtics

20.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 41.6 FG% in 6 seasons as 6th Man

Accolades: 5X NBA Champion (1964-66, 1968-69), 3X All-Star (1966-69), 4X All-NBA Second Team (1963-64, 1965-66, 1967-68, 1968-69) 1X All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1968-69), Hall of Famer

Everyone on this list owes this man for the popularity the position enjoys today.

While he wasn’t the first Sixth Man ever (that honor goes to Frank Ramsey), the player they called “Hondo” changed the way the position was played and evolved it into one of great importance.

Basketball genius Red Auerbach originally drafted John Havlicek out of Ohio State University in 1962 to eventually assume the sixth man role he had created and boy, did Havlicek deliver.

Upon fully assuming the role in the 1963-64 season, Havlicek helped breathe fresh life into a Celtics team with dominant yet aging stars in Bill Russell, Ramsey, Bill Sharman and Sam Jones. Havlicek averaged 19.9 points per game along with 5.4 boards and three assists a night that season while helping the Celtics win their fifth consecutive championship and his second straight.

From that point, Havlicek would go on to become one of the most dominant wings and players in the NBA, averaging 20+ points in three of the next five seasons and earning numerous All-Star and All-NBA team nods.

As good as he was in the regular season, Havlicek was an even bigger beast in the playoffs. With averages of 22.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game through six postseason appearances as a sixth man, it’s no coincidence the C’s won five titles during his tenure in the role.

Even more crucial was the clutch factor he brought out in crunch time, a trait that is forever immortalized by his game-winning steal in the Eastern Division Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers.

All of these things combined with a ridiculous hustle and the versatility to play either wing position made Havlicek the ideal franchise player, let alone sixth man.

More hoops habit: Future NBA Power Rankings

Because of his immense talent and success, Havlicek is largely recognized as the man who pioneered and revolutionized the way the sixth man role is played to this day.