There have been a lot of Boston Celtics over the years. But there are only a few whose faces greet visitors to the lobby at the Auerbach Center.

That's a club reserved for only a special few. Larger than life photos of Celtics legends like Bill Russell, Larry Bird and Paul Pierce adorn the walls as soon as you walk in.

Standing quietly among them is a picture of John Havlicek, whose face is obscured by his own arm as he reaches for the ball.

It's a fitting image for Havlicek, who died yesterday at age 79. Because despite his accomplishments on the court, if you ask the people in the organization who knew him, Havlicek would never put himself in the limelight.

"You would have never known he was a Hall of Famer and a all-time Celtic," said head coach Brad Stevens. "He was just a proud granddad and dad and husband and just a really good human being."

That humility did not come from a lack of accomplishment, however.

The Hall of Famer Havlicek is the Celtics all-time leading scorer with 26,395 points. He was an All-Star 13 times in his 16 season career, an All-NBA player 11 times and was the MVP of the 1974 Finals. To top it all off, his hustle on defense in Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals inspired one of basketball's most memorable calls in basketball history.

Stevens said he and the players are aware and appreciative of the legacy of the Celtics and the people who came before them. And while some current roster members weren't even born when Havlicek was still playing, the history he and others made is something they talk about often.

"It's a sad day for basketball and certainly anybody that's ever worn a Celtics uniform," he told reporters after practice.

Much like Stevens, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge has fond memories of Havlicek the player, but more so on Havlicek the person.

"He really was what everybody says. I mean he was just a great, humble, compassionate player and person. And father and husband and all that," Ainge said. "And as great a player as he was, I mean that's what stands out when I think of John Havlicek."

Growing up, Ainge said he remembers watching a player that never stopped and always played hard when on the court and was always good off of it. He called his whole life a highlight.

"His legend will live on with me forever and whenever I get a chance to talk about John Havlicek and all the great things, I will," Ainge said.