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NBA History Story Tellers on CLNS

NBA History Story Tellers on CLNS

Could Larry Bird & John Havlicek have played together? Bob Ryan weighs in

NBA History Story Tellers on CLNS · Sep 12, 2026 · 30:56

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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



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Episodes: NBA History Story Tellers on CLNS

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