[barrysloate]

Let me share a moment remembering Havlicek:

When I was a student at Boston University between 1969 and 1972, I was determined to go to the Boston Garden and see NBA games as often as possible. And I learned a little trick. If I went to the box office exactly three weeks before the game I wanted to see, and got there when it opened in the morning, I could buy a seat literally court side for its face value (probably $10-12). This was a down time for the Celtics- Russell had just retired, Cowens wasn't drafted yet, and their center was Rich Johnson. Interest in the team was minimal. I could get such good seats that one night sitting directly behind me- get this- were Red Auerbach and Jim Plunkett! Today you would need to remortgage your house to get those kind of seats. And I was on a student budget.

But I got to see John Havlicek up close and in his prime, and I was absolutely astounded at how good a player he was. Also saw Kareem on a night he scored 53 points, plus many other NBA stars. Some really great memories.