Why is John Havlicek nicknamed "Hondo" in NBA: All you need to know

Hondo, an NBA legend, is a nickname given to John Havlicek. This talented player was a huge part of the Boston Celtics dynasty, winning eight championships in 16 years.

Havlicek has always been popular, but has gotten a lot more attention lately as the NBA decided to name the Sixth Man of the Year award after him. No doubt he deserves this honor as he's a big part of the basketball league.

This article will reveal the meaning behind "Hondo," the NBA legend's popular nickname. The nickname has become so popular that many basketball fans use it instead of Havlicek's real name.

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Hondo, NBA legend, received his nickname from movie

John Havlicek is a big part of NBA history. Thanks to his impressive skills, he helped the Celtics win eight championships, including four championships in a row, to start his professional basketball career.

Hondo's NBA popularity skyrocketed when he was named a Boston Celtics starter during the 1969-70 season. That season, he received more playing time, which also resulted in career-best numbers across the board.

Hondo, an NBA legend, is a big part of the Boston Celtics.

Hondo's NBA nickname was inspired by John Wayne's movie of the same name. The movie, which was released in 1953, was very popular at the time, and John Wayne received a lot of praise for his amazing performances.

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The nickname was reportedly given to Havlicek by his childhood friend, who couldn't pronounce his name. Not only was the movie popular, but the basketball player was similar to the movie character as he was a silent type, yet strong.

John Havlicek's nickname caught on and got a lot of popularity.

Havlicek's nickname has become so popular that almost everyone uses it. Even after the basketball legend passed away, his nickname is still alive. Hondo, an NBA legend, will always be remembered by basketball fans.

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John Havlicek's impressive NBA career

The NBA decided on Tuesday to create new trophies for regular-season individual awards. The best player in the league will receive the Michael Jordan trophy, while the best defender will receive a reward named after Hakeem Olajuwon.

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John Havlicek's name will be on the trophy that will be given to the best bench player. Considering how impressive the Celtics player was, this comes as no surprise.

Hondo's NBA career began off the bench. Having him as a backup player was the right move as Havlicek dominated his opponents and averaged 19.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a replacement.

Unfortunately, the NBA began giving out the Sixth Man of the Year award five years after Havlicek retired. If this wasn't the case, he would have definitely won many of these awards.