What If You Had to Pick — Bird or Havlicek? (The Answer Might Surprise You) 😳

Nick Gelso and Gary Tanguay go head-to-head: if you’re building a Celtics team from scratch, do you start with Larry Bird or John Havlicek? Gary makes the case that Havlicek is one of the most undervalued legends in Celtics history — and drops a mic-drop argument that the NBA itself might not exist the way we know it without the specific Bird-Magic rivalry. Plus: the story of meeting Havlicek by accident in a parking lot, Tommy Heinsohn’s wooden-hangers rant at Dave Cowens, and the Larry Bird/Johnny Most story you won’t believe is true. 0:00 — Why Havlicek deserves to be held in the same regard as Bird 2:30 — Meeting John Havlicek in the CLNS parking lot 5:00 — The 1974 Finals MVP run over Oscar Robertson and Kareem 9:00 — Tommy Heinsohn’s wooden hangers story 15:30 — Havlicek’s NFL potential and the Cleveland Browns 19:30 — “Would the NBA even exist?” — the Bird/Magic mic-drop 21:00 — The Larry Bird and Johnny Most story 28:00 — The verdict Join this channel to get access to perks, exclusive content, and LIVE NBA Legends Q&A:    / @nbahistoryclns   CLNS Media historian and founder Nick Gelso and Gary Tanguay — actor and host of the Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman Podcast — go head-to-head debating two of the greatest Celtics ever: Larry Bird and John "Hondo" Havlicek. Nick and Gary dig into the case for each legend, breaking down their impact on the Celtics' dynasty. Gary makes the case for Hondo and argues the game in the 70s is often ignored in NBA history. Join this channel to get access to perks, exclusive content, rate games, moments, footage and LIVE NBA Legends Q&A and AMAs with members! Start on link below!    / @nbahistoryclns   — 💰 PrizePicks - Sign up at http://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS & Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $150 instantly in Lineups if you win your first $5 Lineup! Get in on the excitement with PrizePicks, America’s No. 1 Fantasy Sports App, where you can turn your hoops knowledge into serious cash. Download the app today and use code CLNS for a first deposit match up to $100! Pick more. Pick less. It’s that Easy! Football season may be over, but the action on the floor is heating up. Whether it’s Tournament Season or the fight for playoff homecourt, there’s no shortage of high stakes basketball moments this time of year. Quick withdrawals, easy gameplay and an enormous selection of players and stat types are what make PrizePicks the #1 daily fantasy sports app! Take the guesswork out of buying NBA tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Download Gametime today. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Terms apply. Larry Bird and John Havlicek are two of the greatest small forwards in NBA history. We compare their legendary careers here. This discussion analyzes the often-overlooked 1970s NBA era to determine how John Havlicek stacks up against the legacy of Larry Bird. Basketball fans who want to understand the evolution of the forward position will find this comparison essential for context on how these Celtics icons shaped the game. By examining their playstyles and career achievements, we provide a clearer picture of why Havlicek deserves more recognition alongside the elite names of the league. Understanding this era of basketball history helps clarify the standard for excellence set during the 70s and 80s. Subscribe for weekly NBA history breakdowns, and let us know in the comments which player you think had the greater impact on the Celtics franchise.