Celtics pay tribute to John Havlicek after his passing

As the Celtics prepared for the toughest challenges of their postseason, a somber tone was felt across the team's practice facility on Friday in the wake of John Havlicek's passing at age 79 on Thursday night. The 13-time All-Star and all-time leading Celtics scorer left a memorable imprint on several current members of the franchise, who reflected on how great of a man the Celtics legend was, at the Auerbach Center on Friday.

Danny Ainge talked about the impact Havlicek had on the beginning of his career as a player even though the pair were never teammates.

“He invited me to dinner, he invited me to lunch, invited me to play golf, and just gave great advice and counsel,” Ainge said. “Be patient, work hard -- but just a guy that really cared. He didn’t have have a role with the Celtics at that time. He was just a former player, a fan, and it felt like we had some things in common, and I became good friends with him.”

Ainge raved about Havlicek the person even more than him as a player.

“As great a player as he was, that’s what stands out when I think of John Havlicek,” Ainge said. "Here’s a guy I truly admired as a player growing up. I idolized his intensity and his relentless running around the court and movement and conditioning. A great player and a great man. I hope all the stories get told of John because anyone who knew John – he’s had an impact on them. Very humble guy, never sought the spotlight but his legend will live on with me forever, and whenever I have a chance to talk about John Havlicek and all of those great things I will."

Brad Stevens did not spend as much time with him as Ainge did over the past six years, but a memorable imprint was left with him as well.

“As good as he was as a basketball player and as good as the highlights are and as good as everybody says he was live, just a better guy,” Stevens said. “Humble. You would have never known he was a Hall of Famer and an all-time Celtic. He was just a proud granddad and dad and husband and just a really good human being.”

When Stevens made the decision to become Celtics head coach back in 2013, the tradition created by players like Havlicek also created a meaningful influence.

“I think we’re all really appreciative of the uniform we put on and the people that came before us,” Stevens said. “Obviously some of these guys weren’t born when Bird was playing, let alone the 60s and 70s, but obviously we’re all very aware of the history. We talk about it often. We’ve been fortunate enough to meet a lot of these guys that have been through. John hasn’t been through with these guys because he’d been ill but it’s a sad day for basketball and certainly anybody that’s ever worn a Celtics uniform.”

Jaylen Brown never got a chance to meet the Hall of Famer in his three years in Boston but used No. 17 as an example to strive up to coming off the bench in recent months.

“Truly will be missed. He’s a legend, coming off the bench, and everything he’s done with the Celtics organization,” Brown said. “Someone that’s a true Celtic, the thought of losing him, him passing away, is saddening, saddening for everybody.”

The Celtics will wear a No. 17 patch on their uniform for the remainder of the season to commemorate the player, starting during Sunday's game in Milwaukee.