Pistol Pete Maravich was a basketball savant.
So ahead of his time.
He averaged 43.5 points per game while playing for LSU…this was before there was a three point line. Experts say he’d have averaged 57 points per game if the 3 was in effect when he played.
Pete was famous for his gray floppy socks and ball handling skills that were second to none. Lebron James calls him White Chocolate and for good reason.
When he played , freshman were ineligible for varsity play. The arena would be filled to capacity when the freshman team played and then fans would head to the exits when the varsity took the court.
A favorite story about The Pistol occurred after he retired.
He went to an amusement park where they have a hoop and people try to win a teddy bear for their kids. The balls provided for contestants are old, out of round ones and the hoop is a touch smaller than average. Pete steps up and pays to play and the fella behind the counter has no idea who he is.
He misses the first shot on purpose and then starts draining one after another. He begins backing up a couple of steps after each make. The wind begins howling and he’s still backing up. 25 ft., 30 and then 35 feet. He only missed the one first shot and methinks he got his teddy bear.
If you’d like a laugh, watch video to see him toy with other NBA stars in the game HORSE.
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