Danny Ainge has fond memories of John Havlicek

The Celtics legend, who died Thursday at the age of 79, helped Ainge adjust to the NBA during his rookie year in 1981-82.

BOSTON – Danny Ainge was struggling as he made the transition from Major League Baseball to the NBA during the 1981-82 season.

“When I was a young player for the Boston Celtics and I came in the middle of the season my rookie year, things weren’t going great,’’ said Ainge, who left the Toronto Blue Jays for basketball. “I wasn’t getting that many opportunities to play.’’

As he searched for answers, Ainge wound getting his spirits lifted by a Celtics legend who he had idolized while growing up in Oregon – John Havlicek.

“He invited me to dinner, invited me to lunch, invited me to play golf and just gave great advice and counsel -- be patient and work hard,’’ recalled Ainge on Friday afternoon. “Just a guy who really cared. He didn’t have a role with the Celtics at that time. He was just a former player and a fan and felt like we had some things in common.’’

Those get-togethers began a friendship that lasted nearly four decades and included Havlicek and his wife, Beth, joining Ainge and his wife, Michelle, on vacation several times.

Havlicek, the Celtics' all-time leading scorer with 26,395 points in 16 seasons with eight NBA championships, died on Thursday at the age of 79.

He will be remembered as a legendary player who won titles during the 1960s with Bill Russell and then in the 1970s with Jo Jo White and Dave Cowens.

Havlicek was a player in constant motion, full of energy and always dependable.

“Here’s a guy I truly admired as a player growing up, even idolized his intensity and relentless running around the court and movement and conditioning,’’ said Ainge, now the team's president of basketball operations. “What a great player and a great man.

“Whatever business you’re in, everybody wants people like John Havlicek who outwork their opponents, that push the players on their team to work harder by the example that they set and by being humble and respectful of everybody around them.’’

The parents of coach Brad Stevens, Mark and Jan, grew up in Ohio when Havlicek helped Ohio State win the NCAA championship, so the Stevens’ family had a special spot for him.

When Stevens became head coach of the Celtics, he got to meet Havlicek and socialize with him.

“My parents were in middle school when Ohio State won the national championship in basketball and followed him closely,’’ said Stevens after practice on Friday. “One of my highlights was my first year here, we were in a practice doing defensive drills on one end and Havlicek walks in. From that point on, I got to chance to go to a couple of events that he held on the Vineyard.

“As good as he was as a basketball player and as good as the highlights are and as good as everyone says he was live, he was just a better guy. Humble, you would have never known he was a Hall of Famer and an all-time Celtic. He was just a proud granddad and husband and a really good human being.’’

The Havlicek family released a statement on Friday afternoon through the Celtics thanking fans and friends for their support and saying, “John was a proud man of integrity, moral character and kindness and was the captain of our team.’’

Ainge said that as a youngster, he used to practice the leaning bank shot that Havlicek would hit and knew there was so much to his game that stood out.

“When I think of John, I don’t really think of a highlight,’’ Ainge said. “I think of this player who just never stopped playing and he just played so hard and then just the goodness of the person. His whole life is a highlight.

“I remember Red (Auerbach) and I having a conversation and it was one of the greatest compliments I ever received from Red. He said I reminded him of Havlicek because I had this really low heart rate and I could run forever. I said yeah, but can you tell the coaches, coach Fitch, that we need to run more?’’

Celtics third-year guard Jaylen Brown never met Havlicek but is well aware of his legacy.

“I never met him or talked to him, but his name rings bells,’’ said Brown. “You know who he is. You know what he’s done for this organization. He’s one of those legends that you aspire to be. Being a Boston Celtic, I’m truly sorry to hear that he passed away.’’

Said Stevens: “It’s a sad day for basketball and anybody who has worn a Celtics uniform.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.