The Twin Core With Havlicek: Boston’s Handoff

The 1970s Celtics revived on a "new-and-old twin core": John Havlicek on the wing, Dave Cowens inside. Their styles complemented perfectly, filling the interior void left by Bill Russell's retirement.

Havlicek was a direct heir of Boston's 1960s glory—two-way, cold-blooded in clutch moments, the spiritual flag-bearer. Cowens was the new-era interior spine, holding the paint with running and scrapping. One "puts the ball in," the other "fights the chance back," giving Boston both flair and foundation.

The beauty of the duo was no ball-conflict: Havlicek ran the offense, Cowens focused on cuts, boards and defense; neither needed to dominate the ball. That restraint and complement let Boston reach the Finals in 1973 and 1974 and win. For Cowens, standing beside such a legend was the fastest fertilizer for his growth.

Related Reading

• 1973 NBA MVP: Dave Cowens (Boston Celtics)
• Dave Cowens: Auerbach’s "Stolen" Small-Center, the Blue-Collar Core of the Celtics
• Historical Standing: Why Cowens Is the Best Value Championship Big
• The 1974 Title: Beating Milwaukee in Seven, Cowens’ Repeat Run
• After Retirement: Cowens the Coach