• Shipping $4.99 | FREE on orders $75+
  • Log in
  • Cart (0)
  • Checkout
  • Originals 
    • All Originals
    • Stadium Series
    • Philly Culture
    • Defunct Philly Teams
    • Philly Legends
  • Eagles

    All Eagles

    Newest Eagles

    By Person  

    Women
    Men
    Youth

    By Type  

    T-shirts
    Long sleeve
    Caps
    Winter Gear
    Collectibles

    By Brand  

    Shibe Originals
    Mitchell & Ness
    '47 Brand
    Junk Food

    View Eagles Best Sellers

  • 76ers
  • Phillies
  • Athletics
  • Flyers
  • Villanova
  • Kids
  • Art 
    • Word Art Prints
    • Minimalist Art
    • Books
    • Collectibles
    • Drinkware
    • Heritage Banners
    • Vintage Photos
  • Sale
  • Gift Cards
  • About

    Shibe Vintage Sports

    Designs by Philly artists

    View Lookbook

    Products  

    Gift Cards
    Lookbook
    All products
    Search Page

    Policies  

    Loyalty Program
    Giving Back
    Return Policy
    Size Charts

    Contact  

    Contact Us
    About Shibe
    Sign up for our emails
    Work at Shibe
    "Shibe Sports Presents" Podcast

    Shibe Sports History Blog

  • Originals 
    • All Originals
    • Stadium Series
    • Philly Culture
    • Defunct Philly Teams
    • Philly Legends
  • Eagles
  • All Eagles

    Newest Eagles

    By Person  

    Women
    Men
    Youth

    By Type  

    T-shirts
    Long sleeve
    Caps
    Winter Gear
    Collectibles

    By Brand  

    Shibe Originals
    Mitchell & Ness
    '47 Brand
    Junk Food

    View Eagles Best Sellers

  • 76ers
  • Phillies
  • Athletics
  • Flyers
  • Villanova
  • Kids
  • Art 
    • Word Art Prints
    • Minimalist Art
    • Books
    • Collectibles
    • Drinkware
    • Heritage Banners
    • Vintage Photos
  • Sale
  • Gift Cards
  • About
  • Shibe Vintage Sports

    Designs by Philly artists

    View Lookbook

    Products  

    Gift Cards
    Lookbook
    All products
    Search Page

    Policies  

    Loyalty Program
    Giving Back
    Return Policy
    Size Charts

    Contact  

    Contact Us
    About Shibe
    Sign up for our emails
    Work at Shibe
    "Shibe Sports Presents" Podcast

    Shibe Sports History Blog

The Shibe Vintage Sports History Blog

When Havlicek Stole the Damn Ball

April 15, 2011


The mid-60s were a brutal time for Philadelphia sports fans. The ’64 Phillies pulled off one of the greatest chokes in sports history, the Eagles were 16-37-1 between 1962 and 1965, and the Sixers were the victim of the most famous radio call in basketball history.

To set the stage, the Sixers were trying to pull off a huge upset in the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals. The Sixers had gone a mere 40-40 that year, while the Celtics had gone 62-20. But that gritty Sixers team, led by Wilt Chamberlain and Hal Greer, had taken the Celtics to a 7th game on April 15th, 1965, and with 5 seconds left were only down one point and were inbounding the ball under their own basket. Greer attempted to make a pass to Chet Walker, hoping that the high scoring forward would attack the basket. He never got the chance. John Havlicek jumped in front of the pass and tipped it to teammate Sam Jones. The Celtics went to the Finals for the 8th straight year, and the Sixers went home. The pain continued the next two years, as the Sixers fell to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals in 5 games both years. Finally, in 1967, the Sixers got past the Celtics and went on to win the NBA title. Here is the NBA Encyclopedia entry about the play.



Tweet Share Pin It Email

Also in The Shibe Vintage Sports History Blog

Play Shibe Super Squares - Support Youth Football in Philly

February 02, 2025

Continue Reading

Support the Camp Out for Hunger Campaign

December 02, 2024

Continue Reading

Shibe Vintage Sports Celebrates 10 Years with Beer Release, Tailgate Party

July 08, 2024

Continue Reading

+Subscribe

+Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Shibe Lookbook
Quick Links
  • Search
  • Lookbook
  • Shipping
  • Loyalty Program
  • The Shibe History Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Returns
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Refund policy


Visit Shibe

137 S. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107


106 East Lancaster Ave.
Wayne, PA 19087


1518 Paoli Pike
West Chester, PA 19380

78 Rittenhouse Place
Ardmore, PA 19003


215-909-9396
team@shibesports.com


© 2014-2025 Shibe Vintage Sports.