Episode
Could Larry Bird & John Havlicek have played together? Bob Ryan weighs in
- Published
- Sep 12, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1856
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Summary
Bob Ryan spends nearly 30 minutes making the case for John Havlicek as one of the most underrated legends in NBA history — the only non-center to guard and outplay both Oscar Robertson and Jerry West as they aged, an 8-time champion who invented his own position, and a guy who averaged 34 minutes a game at age 35 in his final season. Then Bob answers the real question: could Bird and Havlicek have actually played together? His answer — "ridiculously good" — plus the stories that make both men legends beyond the stat sheet: Havlicek's near-career as an NFL wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, his famous thriftiness, and the "Hondo handfuls" ice bucket story that still makes Bob Ryan laugh. ☘️ A follow-up to: "What If You Had to Pick — Bird or Havlicek?" https://youtu.be/6ALYRV7bco4 00 — Intro 1:14 — Havlicek & Bird debate intro 2:02 — Havlicek's case 3:21 — Enter Larry Bird 4:10 — Bob on Havlicek's greatness 10:09 — PrizePicks 12:22 — Havlicek vs. Bird similarities 17:20 — Havlicek vs. Bird differences 22:27 — Stories about Larry Bird and John Havlicek 26:48 — Outro NBA History on CLNS Media is Powered by 💰 PrizePicks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $150 in lineups instantly if you win your first $5 lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices