Havlicek Doesn’t Want to Be a Coach, Doesn’t Think Much of Today’s Athlete

Former Boston Celtic great John Havlicek, who has watched several of his former teammates become successful NBA coaches, said he has no desire to leave his business ventures to coach.

K.C. Jones, Don Nelson, Bill Russell, Tom Sanders, Don Chaney, Dave Cowens, and Tom Heinsohn, all former teammates of Havlicek’s, became NBA coaches.

“I have no desire to coach,” Havlicek said. “I’m more business-oriented. Coaching is something I don’t want to get into.”

Havlicek, in New York to promote the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports Superstar Sweepstakes, said he would have trouble dealing with the type of player in the NBA today.

“Today’s athlete is somewhat different than the athlete that grew up in my era,” Havlicek said. “Athletes used to be more dedicated and hard working.”

Havlicek said many of today’s players are “put on pedestals” and earn so much money that they do not work hard.

“I think (former Los Angeles Lakers coach) Jerry West was exposed to that and didn’t like it,” said Havlicek, a 13-time All-Star and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.