In the NBA’s rich history, few defenders have stood out like the late John Havlicek. What adds to this is how often he — a five-time All-Defensive First Team member — dominated even the league’s most explosive scorers. A prime example came during a preseason clash between the Boston Celtics and the New Jersey Nets.

In that game, Havlicek was tasked with guarding superstar Julius Erving, one of the game’s most unstoppable offensive forces. While most defenders might have focused on mere containment, “Hondo” did far more. Tom Heinsohn, who knew Havlicek as both teammate and coach, recalled just how true that was.

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Stopping the unstoppable

Facing offensive powerhouses — and three-time ABA scoring champion Erving was exactly that — can intimidate even the best defenders. Many become overwhelmed by an opponent’s reputation, which can negatively dictate their game and disrupt their ability to play stellar defense. Add to that the fact that elite offense often overcomes strong defense, a constant in the basketball world, and the challenge becomes even clearer.

Keep that in mind when Havlicek, a 6’5″ swingman, took on the task of guarding Erving in that preseason matchup.

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It was certainly not going to be a slow day, as from the opening possession, Dr. J looked to assert his dominance by doing what he did best — scoring buckets. Time and again, the future Hall of Fame forward drove toward the basket, intent on finishing at the rim. However, instead of putting points on the board for the Nets or at least drawing a foul, Erving encountered something every offensive player dreads: losing the ball straight to his anticipating primary defender. That defender, in this game, was Havlicek, who consecutively stripped the ball away.

“The first four times Dr. J tried to drive on him, Havlicek stole on the ball off him,”recounted Heinsohn, per NBC Sports Boston.

Hondo’s defensive genius

Heinsohn emphasized just how remarkable Havlicek’s performance was. At the time, everyone — including the Celtics — raved about Dr. J’s greatness. Yet even the best have a kryptonite and for Erving that day, it was Havlicek. Heinsohn certainly thought so too and watching his former Celtic strip the ball consecutively, he was stunned. “I thought, ‘Wow, Havlicek’s got his number,'” he recalled.

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During the same interview, Heinsohn shared more insights into Havlicek’s defensive excellence throughout his Hall of Fame and 13-time All-Star career. Early in his Boston tenure, Havlicek was still refining his dribbling, shooting and offensive efficiency but he had always been a strong defender — one of the reasons legendary coach Red Auerbach drafted him in 1962 out of Ohio State, said Heinsohn.

Heinsohn also recalled another defining defensive moment by Havlicek against a big-time opponent. In the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals, facing Wilt Chamberlain, Havlicek stole a crucial inbounds pass in a one-point game, tipping it to Sam Jones and sealing the win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

“He (Havlicek) was counting, ‘One, two, three, four,’ and on four he went for the ball — and it was there,” Heinsohn said. “That’s how precise he was.”

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It’s safe to say that Hondo, celebrated for his unmatched versatility, clutch ability and physical traits, displayed that level of excellence time and again. In a way, he had to perform at that level; otherwise, the C’s wouldn’t have claimed an impressive eight championships during his tenure.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.