The Ideal Celtic

If Ponce de Leon were alive today, he would know exactly where to find the Fountain of Youth: in Boston Garden. It was there last week that Celtic Forward John Havlicek, a venerable 34, ran and shot, almost singlehanded, the defending N.B.A. champion New York Knicks out of this year's playoffs. Havlicek was unstoppable, averaging 30 points and 41 minutes of playing time per game in the Celtics' 4-1 annihilation of the Knicks. For the Celtics, their reward was a trip to Milwaukee to play the Bucks and a chance to win their first championship since the last Celtic dynasty ended in 1970.

When the Celtics won the title in 1969, Havlicek was already a seventh-year pro. He was a leading scorer in the N.B.A. and the top point producer for Boston. He had all the credentials of a superstar; on any other team he would have been one. In Boston there were obstacles. Namely: Bill Russell and Sam Jones, both fixtures of Red Auerbach's ten-year domination of the league.

No Sweat. Today Havlicek is still a leading scorer in the league and Boston's most prolific shooter. This time, though, "Hondo" Havlicek is the undisputed star. He showed why against the Knicks. In the fourth game, which the Celtics needed to win to take a commanding 3-1 lead, Havlicek played all but three minutes, scored 36 points, called a critical final play, then executed it to ice the game. In the fifth game, Havlicek led the scoring with 33 points and played all 48 minutes.

Not bad for a twelve-year player. Red Auerbach, now the Celtics' general manager, puts it this way: "John Havlicek is what I always thought a Celtic should be." Indeed, in play and personality Havlicek is the classic team performer. On the court he seems tireless. "He is in perfect physical shape," says Auerbach. "The man doesn't sweat." With his limitless energy, Havlicek, a forward who will play guard when the Celtics want extra height on the court, often leads the famous Celtic fast break, racing downcourt to drive on the basket, shoot from outside or, more often, pass the ball to a teammate. Though Havlicek has uncanny aim with his passes and shots, his style is anything but flashy. "He takes charge in a quiet, unobtrusive way," says Auerbach. "I didn't think he'd be able to fill Russell's shoes when the big man left, but of course he has." Says Havlicek: "The Celtics have always had an older person to try to pass along some of the team philosophy. I've learned to fill that role to a certain extent."

Though his annual salary tops $200,000, Havlicek lives modestly with his wife and two young children in a middle-class suburb outside Boston. In the offseason, they move to an unpretentious home in Columbus, Ohio, about 100 miles west of the small town of Lansing where Havlicek grew up. When his playing career ends, Havlicek hopes, "there may be a chance for me to do some work around Columbus as an assistant college coach, but I'll concentrate on my housewares business there. And I'm going to learn to ski." The way Havlicek is running these days, it will be some time before he tries the slopes.

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