The greatest sixth man from each NBA team

Greatest sixth man in Boston Celtics history: John Havlicek

Choosing the greatest sixth man in Boston Celtics history is a nearly impossible task, as perhaps four of the top-five sixth men to ever play the game suited up in that role for the Celtics. Four players currently in the Hall of Fame spent time as sixth men for Boston.

Frank Ramsey is held up as the first sixth man, Kevin McHale began as a sixth man before moving into the starting lineup on the dominant 80s teams, and Bill Walton won an MVP before injuries forced him into a smaller role off the bench in Boston, where he excelled and won a title.

The cream of the sixth man crop is, in the end, John Havlicek. The Ohio State star was very nearly a Cleveland Brown before he was cut in training camp, and joined the Celtics in 1962. Boston was coming off of five titles in six seasons, and trailblazer Ramsey was fading into the end of his career. With no need for any help in the starting lineup “Hondo” became the new sixth man and starred in that role for five years.

The young Havlicek didn’t waste time putting up numbers, and by his second season was averaging 19.9 points per game, which led the team. The Celtics won four straight rings to start Havlicek’s career, and by 1965 head coach Red Auerbach was moving Hondo into the starting lineup for key playoff tilts. Once Auerbach retired, Havlicek transitioned into the starting lineup full-time and led the Celtics to a pair of titles himself in the 1970s after Bill Russell had retired.

In all, Havlicek would play 16 seasons for the Celtics, winning eight titles (8-0 in the Finals) and being named an All-Star 13 times. 11 times he was an All-NBA selection, including making the second team in 1964 while coming off the bench. The all-time franchise leader in points, Havlicek began his career as the greatest sixth man in NBA history and ended as one of the greatest Celtics in franchise history.