1974 Finals MVP: Havlicek at 34 Leads Boston Back to the Summit

In 1974, at age 34, Havlicek stood at the peak of his career. That Finals Boston met Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Milwaukee Bucks, and the two teams went seven games before the Celtics prevailed 4-3. Havlicek, with steady 20-plus scoring, was named Finals MVP—the only such trophy of his career.

The title meant something special to him: in the 1960s he was the young man behind Russell and Sam Jones; by 1974 he was the most senior and trusted voice in the locker room. Across the series he shouldered the offense and also guarded Milwaukee's wing threats, contributing on both ends.

In Game 7 the Celtics ground out the win, and Havlicek's timely scoring and playmaking were the backbone of Boston's survival. That MVP was the perfect reward for "eighteen years, every single day"—he was never the brightest star, but always the most reliable piece.

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