Peter Press Maravich aka Pistol Pete. He played for his father at LSU, He's the All time NCAA scorer, In college he averaged 44.2 points per game! Get this his freshman stats are not included. Plus he played with no shot clock or three point line. If he had, Pistol would have averaged 57 points a game!
He had a close-but-demanding relationship with his dad. He would practice hours a day on his ball control, passes, fakes, and long shots. He got the moniker Pistol Pete because of how he shot the ball from his side. He was one of, if not the greatest, creative offensive talents of all time and would smoke a lot if today's stars. His ball handles were like watching a fine chef cook a masterful meal.
He played for the Hawks and was eventually traded to the Jazz for 2 players and 4 picks. In 76/77 he led the NBA averaging 31.1 points per game. He scored a career high of 68 vs the Knicks. In 1980 he was left on waivers and the beloved Celtics signed him! They wanted him to be their hired gun off the bench. Imagine that the Pistol as a hired gun! Knee problems forced him into early retirement. If he had only hung on one more year he could have won a ring with the good guys in 81.
He was a 5 time All Star and his impact on the game is everlasting. He was part of the NBA's 50th Anniversary team and was one of the youngest Basketball Hall of Fame inductees. Later in his life he wanted to be remembered as a Christian, not just a basketball player. Sadly he died in 1988 of a heart attack at the age of 40 due to a heart defect. Pistol Pete was truly one of the all time greats.
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