Winning was in his pedigree even before he stepped into the parquet. Winning an NCAA championship in 1960 with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He made the all rookie team in 1963 along with his first NBA Title. He won a total of eight Championships in his career. In 1974 he won Finals MVP! He was a 13-time All Star as well as making the all defensive teams - the first team five times and the second team three times. The man never stopped on the floor. He was constant motion and never seemed to break a sweat.
As an indicator of his greatness, Hondo was named to the NBA's 35th and 50th anniversary teams. His number 17 hangs from the rafters in the Boston Garden. Let's not forget he's a Basketball Hall of Famer! How many of us have watched and heard that clip of "Havlicek stole the ball! Johnny Havlicek stole the ball" by the great Johnny Most. Talk about goosebumps.
Jarrin' John holds the record for most points scored in Celtics history and looking at that historic roster of greats says a lot. Hondo could light it up and he scored all his points with no three point shot. The Bouncin' Buckeye From Ohio State was an underrated passer and relentless defender, Looking at his amazing career on the floor, those who knew him or met him would say he was an even better human than he was a basketball player, and that my friends says a lot.
NOTE: If you were wondering where Hondo's nickname came from, some saw a likeness to John Wayne in the western movie, "Hondo".
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