I consider Maravich to be the best college player in history after Lew Alcindor (Kareem Jabbar). I would also put him on my second team of all time NBA greats. One reason he was never placed in the same class as Bird, Magic, Jordan, etc. is that he was never on a great winning team (with the exception of his last season as a bench player with Bird's Celtics), and was plagued with injuries. He never won a championship, or even had that many trips to the playoffs. But in his prime, the guy was unusually talented with a basketball, almost a freak of nature. Not bad for a guy who had a heart defect all his life.
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
Posts: 16694 | Location: Texas | Registered: May 13, 2003
There's a movie about him I watched a dozen times as a kid. I became a real fan. My sophomore year in high school I went to Broughton High School to attend an away basketball game. That's when in the rafters I saw a banner with his name on it. I just thought that was the neatest thing. After that I found out that one of my buddies fathers played high school basketball there at Broughton with the "Pistol". He had some really cool stories. My Grandpa always said if Pistol stayed in Raleigh and played for NC State we could have had a dynasty, what with Pistol in then David Thompson after.
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Posts: 1074 | Location: On the outskirts of Richmond | Registered: September 10, 2009
I saw him play for LSU vs MSU twice. Floppy hair, dirty socks, and this was the 60's in Mississippi! No 3 pointers or dunks allowed. I remember Pete casually dribbling down the right side, covered by an all-SEC guard. Pete bounce-passed the ball mid-stride between his (Pete's) legs, kept on dribbling air and the guard stayed with him for two more steps. Pete was a one man team and scored over 40 points in losing efforts. Packed the field house: I sat in the aisle for the second game.
Posts: 2520 | Location: High Sierra & Low Desert | Registered: February 03, 2011
I was fortunate to see him play live a few times, in ACC bball, while he was at NCState. His Daddy Press was the coach. Truly a remarkably talented athlete. Though somewhat clumsy looking at times, it always ended with a remarkable pass, fake, shot, etc.
Correct about no 3 pointers in college ball in those days, nor goal tending by the offense or defense. I think this was the main reason Lew Alcindor developed and perfected the sky hook.
Posts: 10785 | Location: South Congress AZ | Registered: May 27, 2006
Originally posted by Ripley: Did he ever make a three pointer, I don't think so. If he wasn't Magic, he was certainly magical.
The three point shot wasn't in place when he played.
__________________________________________________________________________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Always remember that others may hate you but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself. Richard M Nixon
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Posts: 7353 | Location: Between the Moon and New York City. | Registered: November 27, 2011
It has been determined on game films that if the 3 point line was used in his day, his points per game average in college would have been in the mid 50s.
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
Posts: 16694 | Location: Texas | Registered: May 13, 2003
It has been determined on game films that if the 3 point line was used in his day, his points per game average in college would have been in the mid 50s.
That was my point. I'd wondered if anyone had tried to figure in 3-pointers for him. Throw in imaginary 4-pointers from wherever you'd choose, Pistol Pete would be the GOAT.
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Posts: 8344 | Location: Flown-over country | Registered: December 25, 2008
In the two games I attended, Pete would play with the team for most of the game and then start shooting as soon as he crossed midcourt. His best shot was a jump into the defender, slide the ball to the side, get hacked on his non-shooting forearm and shoot with the other hand. Had two free throws every time. His team mates could not anticipate his passes. I saw him knock down his open forward with a behind the head pass from the top of the key. Layed him flat.
Posts: 2520 | Location: High Sierra & Low Desert | Registered: February 03, 2011
