[FLNittany]

Haven't watched an nba game in well over a decade, and just a handful of PSU games the past few years. But this was back when I could watch. Man, was he something to us kids.

I watched (on a little black and white tv) him score 68 on the knicks before fouling out (on two crappy charge calls).

He led a troubled life, but found his true purpose with God. His heart only operated at 50-75 percent. He died on a church basketball court playing pickup. In an early interview, he said "I don't want to play 10 years in the NBA and die of a heart attack at age 40." He played 10 years in the nba, and died of a heart attack at age 40.

[freedumb2003]

Sadly his pro career never tracked like his college career. While outstanding it is never compared to others such as Jerry, Dr. J. and Wilt.

Being great is not just about stats.

[dainbramaged]

I used to attend Seattle Supersonics games frequently back in the 70's, saw many great players including Pete Maravich when he was with New Orleans.
IIRC correctly Slick Watts had the misfortune of guarding Pete that game and he was a good defensive player - although Maravich was about 4 inches taller - the man was incredible.

[xzins]

He had an amazing “from anywhere, any pisition” shot. It’s as if he could direct the ball with his mind.

[BobL]

“I watched (on a little black and white tv) him score 68 on the knicks before fouling out (on two crappy charge calls).”

Sheet, that is some SERIOUS scoring.

[Lmo56]

Some people think Jordan. Some say LeBron. But, the Pistol was the best dribbler, passer, and shooter of them all.

[Paal Gulli]

His first year at LSU, he couldn't play on the varsity team, which was mediocre at best. And it ticked off the varsity squad no end that the gym was always packed to the rafters because they'd turn out in droves to watch Pistol Pete play, then go home in time to catch Cronkite on the TV.

His teammates stayed covered with bruises from all the no-look passes he threw, and he always threw hard. They said the only time you knew he wasn't going to pass to you is when he was looking at you. So HEAD'S UP!

My father always said he could have scored twice as many points ... if he'd only got a haircut. Because he seemed always to have one hand occupied brushing his bangs out of his eyes. So it stood to reason he could have scored more if he'd had both hands to use without interruption.

[LeoTDB69]

Remembering how Pete wanted to play at NC State badly but couldn’t get the minimum SAT score the ACC required. His dad was NC State head coach (40-13 in 2 seasons) and left to go to LSU to be with Pete.

Pete was so talented. I was young at the time but remember how all my friends and I worked on our ballhandling trying to “be like Pete”.

[Bonemaker]

“Best ball handler the league has ever seen.”

Would have made James look like a totem pole.

[InvisibleChurch]

My fave with Bird. I could watch him miss shots and enjoy it.

[wjcsux]

I remember when he passed away, so sad, he was one of the NBA’s greatest for sure.

[zeestephen]

The first time I saw Pete Maravich play on TV was 1968.

I was out antiquing with my girlfriend on a Saturday, and the shop we were in had a small black and white TV.

I was transfixed.

Not only was the guy the best ball handler and best outside shooter I had ever seen, he had really long hair, which was rare for athletes at that time.