A few things here: That charge would not have been called in today's game because the guy was in the circle. That blind backwards layup is an absolute thing of beauty, as are his perfect jumpers and that hilarious flatfooted layup.
Forty years today (2/25/17). I was at this game and it was indeed an incredible experience. So glad that there's video of this - back then, a lot of road games were not televised, but I remember seeing the television cameras there indicating that this was being televised back to New York. RIP Pete. Thanks for the wonderful memories!
I REMEMBER THIS GAME!!! He just kept scoring, and scoring, and scoring... my mother said that was enough and I had to go to bed. Woke up the next morning, looked at the box score. And couldn't believe it: 68 points. No one was scoring that many points at that time. WITHOUT A 3POINTER! It was incredible. He just didn't miss-lol
One of the greatest individual performances in NBA history. If there would have been a three point rule, he may have had around 80. And the thing is this was a good NY team with Frazier, a good defensive player.
Wow! This guy was a living legend! without a 3pointers in those days! He shot bombs always, no doubt he would have hit 100 point games a few times if there were!
A poster below stated that Pistol Pete Maravich was not a great basketball player? Please. He turned around the Louisiana State college program, scored over 40 points per game in college (and whereby he scored many points beyond the 3 pt. range, when there was no three point line), was noted by many famous basketball coaches and players as one of the greatest passers of all time, was unstoppable, could shoot right or left handed, was a 6'7" magician with the ball, had outstanding field goal percentage, and played with a heart mumur. Here are a few statistics of Pistol Pete ( I posted a more lengthy statistical review here in an additional post): - He is still the all-time leading NCAA Division I scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game. - In only three years at LSU, Maravich scored 3,667 points-1,138 of those in 1968, 1,148 in 1969 and 1,381 in 1970 while averaging 43.8, 44.2 and 44.5 points per game. In his collegiate career, the 6' 7" (1.96 m) guard averaged 44.2 points per game in 83 contests and led the NCAA in scoring in each of his three seasons. The NBA. - 1976-77) was his best-ever as a professional NBA player. He led the league in scoring with an average of 31.1 points per game. He scored 40 points or more in 13 different games, including a 68-point masterpiece on UA-cam against the Knicks. At that time, it was the most points ever scored by a guard in one game. With the terrible teams he was on, no one would have won NBA Championships. Only a few NBA players, like jealous jerk Lou Hudson of the Atlanta Hawks, did not like him, because a "white boy" was making more money and they were envious. Some even purposely tried to injure him because his skill set embarrassed them. He was an alcoholic when he was injured in the NBA. Then he couldn't live up to the enormous pressures of his fame and expectations. He then reformed and turned his life around. Please consider more research before making lame statements. Also, you try scoring over 60 points in the NBA when a rookie or only in the pros two or three years. His career scoring point average in the NBA was approximately 26 points per game. That is not a poor NBA average. Only a select few individuals reach the NBA. Peace, out.
pete maravich is like a magician with the basketball .with the rules today he would be unstopable .imagine a magician that is allowed to take two steps then jump off two feet and allowed to pivot then lift his pivot foot and not be called for traveling like 95% of the players do nowadays
A poster below stated that Pistol Pete Maravich was not a good basketball player. Is this a joke of a statement, or just someone trying to elicit a response? Pistol Pete Maravich was one of, if not, the greatest college basketball players of all time. Here are a few records he still holds: - He is still the all-time leading NCAA Division I scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game. - In only three years playing for his father at LSU, Maravich scored 3,667 points-1,138 of those in 1968, 1,148 in 1969 and 1,381 in 1970 while averaging 43.8, 44.2 and 44.5 points per game. In his collegiate career, the 6' 5" (1.96 m) guard averaged 44.2 points per game in 83 contests and led the NCAA in scoring in each of his three seasons.[11] Maravich's longstanding collegiate scoring record is particularly impressive when two other factors are taken into account: First, NCAA rules at the time of Maravich's collegiate career prohibited freshmen from taking part in varsity competition, preventing Maravich from adding to his career record for a full quarter of his time at LSU. During this first year, Maravich scored 741 points in freshman competition. Second, Maravich played before the advent of the three-point line. His long-distance shooting skill thus produced fewer points than would have been the case in a later era. Scoring POINTS Game Season 1,381-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1970 (522 FGs, 337 FTs, 31 games) Career 3,667-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70 (1,387 FGs, 893 FTs, 83 games) PLAYERS ON DIVISION I TEAMS Game 115-Pete Maravich (64), LSU and Dan Issel (51), Kentucky, Feb. 21, 1970 GAMES SCORING AT LEAST 50 POINTS Season 10-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1970 Season-Consecutive Games 3-Pete Maravich, LSU, Feb. 10 to Feb. 15, 1969 Career 28-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70 GAMES SCORING AT LEAST 40 POINTS Career 56-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70 GAME Field Goals FIELD GOALS Game 41-Frank Selvy, Furman vs. Newberry, Feb. 13, 1954 (66 attempts) Season 522-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1970 (1,168 attempts) Career 1,387-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70 (3,166 attempts) Free Throws FREE THROWS Game 30-Pete Maravich, LSU vs. Oregon St., Dec. 22, 1969 (31 attempts); Ben Woodside, North Dakota St. vs. Stephen F. Austin, Dec. 12, 2008 (35 attempts) Season 355-Frank Selvy, Furman, 1954 (444 attempts) Career (4 yrs.) 982-Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina, 2006-09 (1,241 attempts) (3 yrs.) 893-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70 (1,152 attempts; Here are a few facts regarding Pistol Pete's NBA career: - As an NBA Rookie, Maravich appeared in 81 games and averaged 23.2 points per contest-good enough to earn NBA All-Rookie Team honors. - Maravich erupted in his third season, averaging 26.1 points and dishing out 6.9 assists per game. - The following season (1973-74) was his best yet-at least in terms of individual accomplishments. Maravich posted 27.7 points per game-second in the league behind Bob McAdoo-and earned his second appearance in the All-Star Game. - 1976-77) was his best-ever as a professional player. He led the league in scoring with an average of 31.1 points per game. He scored 40 points or more in 13 different games, including a 68-point masterpiece on UA-cam against the Knicks. At that time, it was the most points ever scored by a guard in one game. In fact, only two players in league history had scored more points in a single game: Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor. If the above statistics do not convince you, then whoever stated Pete Maravich was not a good basketball player has not done his or her homework. More facts: Maravich completely turned around the Louisiana State college basketball program; If the guy below, who stated Pete Maravich was not a great basketball player, was not joking, then go review his biography on Wikipedia and other references. Peace, out! K. McDee
Thank you for the detail. Believe someone tracked his shots for his college career and determined that Pete would have averaged 51 per game for his career with the 19-9 three point line.
I remember watching him when I was a kid and I was always amazed by his overall game the dazzling passing, dribbling, unbelievable scoring from all angles around the hoop, his unprecedented court vision, relentless rebounding and great defender. I honestly believe he was the greatest all around basketball player in history.
How many of those shots were nothing but net or back of the rim straight through? The man was pure. Pistol never saw a shot he didn't like. Pullin up on a fastbreak, SWISH, like he was unconscious.
Way, way ahead of his time! Just think if he had played with the Lakers or Celtics at that time. How many championships!? Some were jealous of him. Some didn't understand him. He was an ARTIST with a basketball. His on-court charisma/persona may never be matched! Thank goodness we have youtube to watch him forever!
He shot the ball exceptionally well for someone with hands as large as his, he would be a force in the game today and I'm sure he would have taken full advantage of the three point line
At 1:38 I walk right behind Pete's right shoulder, looking up at him, with my 70's Pete hair style. I was a ball-boy for the Jazz back in the day. That was a great game... I still have the stat sheets they handed out to the players and press that night. Love you and miss you Pete.
He had it all..shooting, ball handling, court sense. They only thing he did not have was figuring out how to make his team better. But with his leadership, the ball was in their court, so to speak.
Pete Maravich is the greatest and best basketball player in Basketball history, he could do it all and more ,Never be another Pistol, he had a God given talent for sure .
OMG! Awesome post!!! I remember watching this game. Knick fan here but LOVED Pete Maravich. This was amazing! and GREAT job on the editing and the post. Just WOW!
Yes 68 points and it may have been more as his last foul was NOT a charge! Still, what a great game by an amazing basketball player. Its awesome that we have such videos of Pistol Pete. Bob Cousy was the first great NBA guard but IMO Maravich was better and the first great "showman" of the NBA. So tragic that he died at such the early age of 40. But he died playing ball.
imagine what he wouldve done these days with a 3pt line, an easier way to score and drive in the paint and better refs. he most likely wouldve surpassed wilt chamberlain's 100pt game and kobe's 81 point game
TOO COLD! The two at the end were in no way charges today! they'd tear an arena apart if you fouled out the star with 2 charges in the 4th going for 70! Lol long live Pistol Pete.
The called 2 fouls on the Knicks against Pete that weren't really fouls, it evened out, I think. I saw it another another video. Only 1 shot in this game by Pete was a 3 pointer, that I could "see".
Pete averaged 44 a game for his college career without a three point line. In todays game with the line he would have averaged over 50 and that was for a four year college career. Wow! One of the 2 or 3 greatest all time but so underated,
Pete is the all-time leading scorer in college in 3 years when most play 4 years. His 1st year at L.S.U. he played jr. varsity so his scoring didn't count.
Perhaps it's a nostalgia felt by the viewing of these games of the past, but the way the net swished like lace when the ball went through is something that I miss. Perhaps they've redesigned, for longer life, the netting vs. yesteryear but it was like a knife going through soft butter...and many times a snap at the end. Loved seeing it!
Before he became a famous Sportscaster, James Brown was in training camp with Pete trying out for the Hawks. He relates (Maravich: Pages 216-217) that they had to do suicide drills while dribbling a basketball. Pete used two balls while everyone else used one and he still was faster than nearly everyone else dribbling the two balls. As Nate Archibald (the only player to ever lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season) said: "People today don't know how really great Pete was".
imagine how much more pistol would have scored in this game if there was a three point line. he averaged the most points per game in NCAA history, and any shots that he took that were from 3 point range were only worth 2 points back then. kinda mindblowing if you think about it.
He was phenomenally ahead of his time," said Hall of Fame center Bob Lanier, "And I could tell you to this day he is the only player I've seen that I would pay to see play." "He was and is my idol," said Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, "even though he was only two years older than me." "He was just so far ahead of the game with his ball handling and creativity." "To see him...could you truly realize what he could do and how important he was to the game."
Actually, Dale Brown (LSU's head coach after Pete was in the NBA) went through all of the Pete's games and calculated that if there were a 3-point line, he would have averaged 57 points a game and 15 three's a game.
@aitraining : Actually, former head coach Dale Brown did go through all the information he could find and added in the 3-point line (as if it was there). "Years later LSU head coach Dale Brown reviewed game tapes and ascertained that had a three point line been in place when Pistol Pete played Pete would have averaged an astounding 13 three pointers per game which would have boosted his average points per game from an astounding 44 per game to an unbelievable 57 points per game." SICK!!!
The worst thing the NBA ever did was create a 3 point line, these games were more fun to watch; guys like Pete did not have to worry about the "arc"; just taking shots from wherever, one less thing to think about not having an "arc". Also, anyone here claiming he would have had more points had there been a 3 point line is wrong. The three point line is a distraction; it may even lure a great shooter, like Pete, to step back and take several less percentage shots and miss, versus him simply making several two point shots more to his advantage. Even a great shooter is gonna miss from "out there" so in the end he really does not come out with more points, as you seem to argue.
So true. Someone calculated what his scoring average would have been throughout his college career if there had been a three point line. They went through every game and every shot and found that he would have averaged more than 57 points a game. Amazing.
thats really insane. 57 points is nuts. and 15 threes a game? i think the record is like 11 or something like that. thats just nuts. imagine seeing that
SWISH! Every shot. Most people either don't realize it or they underestimate it but "Pistol" Pete is, no doubt, the best shooter and ball-handler in, dare I say, the whole history of the NBA. Yes, I went as far as I can to say that. Pistol Pete had such a grace while shooting and dribbling the ball. Most people think he's underrated. No doubt one of the TOP TEN in NBA HISTORY. Although I like Pete, he is behind the number one point guard, Magic Johnson.
+ToyTeeth I'm a big fan (of Pete's) too. But unfortunately, he had about 8 strong seasons in the league. Then the knee injury ended his real run. His last 2 seasons he was a limping image of his old self. Then again, David Thompson was similar too. About 6 strong seasons for him in Denver. Each had their primes cut short.
What do you think of the comparisons to Steve Nash? I think Walton got it right, when he smiled, shook his head and mentions how Pete was much more athletic, taller and had more versatility. I could add, while Pete was not a standout defender, he wasn't a total loss on D, like Nash, either. Of course, Gervin, Dantley and Vandeweghe were probably is lousy as Nash, too (on D).
Without a doubt, if they had a 3 point line back then, Maravich would have beaten Wilt's record of 100 points. If you watch his LSU highlights, he's very comfortable shooting the ball from 25-30 feet.
The fifth foul was bullshit and the sixth would have never been called in that situation in a todays NBA. Pete was the most entertaining player I've ever seen. I just wish there was some broadcast footage of some of his college games available. Thanks for posting.
In his college days if you adjusted for the modern college 3 point line he would have averaged 57 points a game over his 3 year career. That is insane.
The shot at 3:49 is amazing. How did he see the basket? I just wonder how many he would have scored with the three point line in this game. Plus, he should not have fouled out, that last call was a bad one.
These remarks by Lanier were taken from a recent article that appeared because of the anniversary of Pete's death. Usually when one great player comments on another he will say the player was "great" or "phenomenal" or "one of the best". But Lanier goes way beyond that: "And I can tell you to this day he is the only player that I've seen that I would pay to see". This is the impact that Pete had on even the other great ones.
When Pistol died, Coach Brown (the LSU coach at the time who coached Shaq) went through the line scores and tabulated how many jump shots were beyond 20 feet. Without the benefit of stepping back to take a three, he would've averaged 13 three pointers a game in college. Incidentally, he averaged three thirty footers a game!
I remember an interview with some hall of fame coach after Kobe scored his 81, he was at this game and what everyone has to remember this was pre-3 point shot. He said Pistol shot at least 5 maybe more shots that were 3 point range and of course as hot as he was, he probably would have made sure the he was behind the line on those borderline shots, in his opinion had there been a 3 points shot, just on the 5 deep shots he would have had about 83 points. Look at it carefully I do see about 5.
If there were 3 pointers on this night he would have scored over 100 points,incredible game ffrom an incredible talent.I saw the game live on tv,cable,it seemed like every shot he too was from 30 feet out.He did things even jordan could not do.Nice to see otto moore play well,he was much maligned but worked really hard on his game to get back into nba.
Yeah, he would have averaged 50+ in college, if there had been a 3-point line. Pistol Pete was within his shooting range once he crossed halfcourt! Great vid and thanks for sharing, OnParr!
THANK YOU for posting this......Hoping Fredette can follow ...well see Pistol Pete was Amazing... Imagine if three pointers were in play...He could have scored 100. Walt Frazier was a great defender....had No chance against Maravich. No one did.
Keep in mind certain things when observing the game back then: no three point line which means less floor spacing, dribbling was different and many techniques today would be called for carrying, zone defense was illegal, and players played in flat sneakers on cold hardwood. Given all that, to see Pete move and shoot how he did here is amazing. Not to take away from the NBA greats we have now but it makes me think how incredibly spoiled players are today compared to the past.
Hi HaCK. The reason for the passivity of the defensive players is because they, first of all don't expect him to take some of the longer shots, and also because they knew better than to guard Pete too closely. It is hard to believe that Nash, Hamilton, Stockton, Iverson, Marbury, and a host of other players shorter than Pete and without his ball handling ability, shooting range, or endless offensive shot selection can play today, but Pete couldn't.
Thats otto moore number 34 for the jazz,nice to see the much maligned but hard working moore playing well for the jazz,after struggling with afew teams.
Those two fouls were BS. HE should not have fouled out. Plus, I don't think they had the 3 point line then either. HE should have had 80. Maybe the greatest offensive performance ever in the NBA.
I tried to count how many might have been beyond the modern 3-point arc in the NBA. I counted four. He would have scored 72. Of course, if the line had been there, he would have played it differently and probably shot more shots at that distance. The NBA put the rule in for his final season and he went 10-for-15 from behind the arc, playing off the bench on two bum knees. What he would have done in his prime with the 3-point line, we can only imagine.
Well counting that and if they called fouls like they do nowadays for James, Durant, Bryant, and such he probably would've had around 130 points. And those games probably would've taken around 6-7 hours or so because you have to stop at every trip down the floor for a foul.
That shot at 3:49. How did he see the basket? Those two charges were phony. I wonder if the three point line had been there, he probably would have been in the mid seventies at least.
Dude, Pistol used to play Dr. J one on one nightly for money (dinner). No one could stop Pistol, just like no one can stop Kobe or Jordan, you have no idea how good he was. Magic patterned his game after him and Kobe said "All my tricks I learned from Pete Maravich"
@THETOYOTAable Pete (Knicks) and MJ played against competive teams. Kobe's big game against Toronto came against a team that didn't win 20 games all yr. No comparison
One of the most underrated play-by-play announcers of all time, Andy Musser, is announcing this. (Along with Cal Ramsey, who's sounds like a cross between Barry White and Don Cornelius.) He announced the Phillies for years, and I liked him better than Harry Kallas.
+Glen Slater Musser, like a lot of announcers as they got older (including Harry Kalas) became more mistake-prone by the time I grew up with the Phillies "Big 4" announcers--Kalas, Ashburn, Wheeler and Musser in the late '80s through the mid 90's, and unfortunately I didn't get to enjoy him in his prime. However, he always had that professional delivery and soothing voice. In this clip his calling is crisp and has the perfect emotion for the moment--tipping your cap to a great player on the opposing team. I can't go so far as to say I liked him better than Harry, but he definitely was underappreciated and isn't remembered the way Harry and Whitey are.
Pistol and Larry same team, in their prime playing today. Think about it. I'm thinking several titles. Todays NBA ( street ballers) couldn't have stopped them.
Pete's "68" line 26/43 16/19 6reb 6asst 2blk 3stl vs Kobe's "81"..28/46(7/13 3's) 18/20 6reb 2asst 1blk 3stl. If we adjust downward for Kobe's 3's and consider assists, Pete accounted for 80 points, Kobe 78.
@emmettk I came clean one year ago...go look at the old posts!! That said, Pistol's 68 is still one of the single greatest performances in NBA history as was Kobe's 81 (and some of the other performances noted in other posts).
I was at this game... quite an experience. I was sitting underneath the visitors basket. Pete had me shaking my head. I didn't know he had so many points though, till I saw the stat sheet.
I've used this quote before but what the heck: Nate Archibald on Pete: (NBA retro) "People today [and that means arthur]don't know how really great Pete was". Ernie Digregorio: In 2000. "The things he did with a basketball were amazing. If you compare him to the players today it's a joke. He was so much better than anyone out their today." (Maravich page 219)
Dale Brown charted every shot he took in college, and he would have made thirteen 3's per game and averaged an absurd 57 ppg if they had the 3 point line.
![[HD] Pistol Pete Maravich - TOP 20 PLAYS Ⓒ 2016](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/f0BCvV0oX9o/mqdefault.jpg)
68 points against 5 hall of famers, including the best defensive guard of the 70's Walt Frasier! What a game by Pistol Pete...
A few things here:
That charge would not have been called in today's game because the guy was in the circle.
That blind backwards layup is an absolute thing of beauty, as are his perfect jumpers and that hilarious flatfooted layup.
RIP Pistol. The best showman, misdirection passer & 1 of the best shooters the game has ever seen. My favorite all time player, hands down.
+c2g1980 Mine too. What if he ever played surrounded by a strong team? Besides his last injured/bench year in Boston, I mean.
+Meteorologist Larry Olson without a 3 point line
Magician with the basketball
Yeah, Pistol sure made it fun...
Forty years today (2/25/17). I was at this game and it was indeed an incredible experience. So glad that there's video of this - back then, a lot of road games were not televised, but I remember seeing the television cameras there indicating that this was being televised back to New York. RIP Pete. Thanks for the wonderful memories!
I was at this game also. The start time was held up because of heavy rain and flooding. Pete had to come from Kenner, La to the Super Dome.
I REMEMBER THIS GAME!!! He just kept scoring, and scoring, and scoring... my mother said that was enough and I had to go to bed. Woke up the next morning, looked at the box score. And couldn't believe it: 68 points. No one was scoring that many points at that time. WITHOUT A 3POINTER! It was incredible. He just didn't miss-lol
One of the greatest individual performances in NBA history. If there would have been a three point rule, he may have had around 80. And the thing is this was a good NY team with Frazier, a good defensive player.
Wow! This guy was a living legend! without a 3pointers in those days! He shot bombs always, no doubt he would have hit 100 point games a few times if there were!
A poster below stated that Pistol Pete Maravich was not a great basketball player? Please. He turned around the Louisiana State college program, scored over 40 points per game in college (and whereby he scored many points beyond the 3 pt. range, when there was no three point line), was noted by many famous basketball coaches and players as one of the greatest passers of all time, was unstoppable, could shoot right or left handed, was a 6'7" magician with the ball, had outstanding field goal percentage, and played with a heart mumur. Here are a few statistics of Pistol Pete ( I posted a more lengthy statistical review here in an additional post):
- He is still the all-time leading NCAA Division I scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game.
- In only three years at LSU, Maravich scored 3,667 points-1,138 of those in 1968, 1,148 in 1969 and 1,381 in 1970 while averaging 43.8, 44.2 and 44.5 points per game. In his collegiate career, the 6' 7" (1.96 m) guard averaged 44.2 points per game in 83 contests and led the NCAA in scoring in each of his three seasons.
The NBA. - 1976-77) was his best-ever as a professional NBA player. He led the league in scoring with an average of 31.1 points per game. He scored 40 points or more in 13 different games, including a 68-point masterpiece on UA-cam against the Knicks. At that time, it was the most points ever scored by a guard in one game.
With the terrible teams he was on, no one would have won NBA Championships. Only a few NBA players, like jealous jerk Lou Hudson of the Atlanta Hawks, did not like him, because a "white boy" was making more money and they were envious. Some even purposely tried to injure him because his skill set embarrassed them.
He was an alcoholic when he was injured in the NBA. Then he couldn't live up to the enormous pressures of his fame and expectations. He then reformed and turned his life around.
Please consider more research before making lame statements. Also, you try scoring over 60 points in the NBA when a rookie or only in the pros two or three years.
His career scoring point average in the NBA was approximately 26 points per game. That is not a poor NBA average. Only a select few individuals reach the NBA.
Peace, out.
pete maravich is like a magician with the basketball .with the rules today he would be unstopable .imagine a magician that is allowed to take two steps then jump off two feet and allowed to pivot then lift his pivot foot and not be called for traveling like 95% of the players do nowadays
A poster below stated that Pistol Pete Maravich was not a good basketball player. Is this a joke of a statement, or just someone trying to elicit a response?
Pistol Pete Maravich was one of, if not, the greatest college basketball players of all time. Here are a few records he still holds:
- He is still the all-time leading NCAA Division I scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game.
- In only three years playing for his father at LSU, Maravich scored 3,667 points-1,138 of those in 1968, 1,148 in 1969 and 1,381 in 1970 while averaging 43.8, 44.2 and 44.5 points per game. In his collegiate career, the 6' 5" (1.96 m) guard averaged 44.2 points per game in 83 contests and led the NCAA in scoring in each of his three seasons.[11]
Maravich's longstanding collegiate scoring record is particularly impressive when two other factors are taken into account:
First, NCAA rules at the time of Maravich's collegiate career prohibited freshmen from taking part in varsity competition, preventing Maravich from adding to his career record for a full quarter of his time at LSU. During this first year, Maravich scored 741 points in freshman competition.
Second, Maravich played before the advent of the three-point line. His long-distance shooting skill thus produced fewer points than would have been the case in a later era.
Scoring
POINTS
Game
Season
1,381-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1970 (522 FGs, 337 FTs, 31
games)
Career
3,667-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70 (1,387 FGs, 893 FTs,
83 games)
PLAYERS ON DIVISION I TEAMS
Game
115-Pete Maravich (64), LSU and Dan Issel (51), Kentucky,
Feb. 21, 1970
GAMES SCORING AT LEAST 50 POINTS
Season
10-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1970
Season-Consecutive Games
3-Pete Maravich, LSU, Feb. 10 to Feb. 15, 1969
Career
28-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70
GAMES SCORING AT LEAST 40 POINTS
Career
56-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70
GAME
Field Goals
FIELD GOALS
Game
41-Frank Selvy, Furman vs. Newberry, Feb. 13, 1954 (66
attempts)
Season
522-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1970 (1,168 attempts)
Career
1,387-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70 (3,166 attempts)
Free Throws
FREE THROWS
Game
30-Pete Maravich, LSU vs. Oregon St., Dec. 22, 1969 (31
attempts); Ben Woodside, North Dakota St. vs. Stephen
F. Austin, Dec. 12, 2008 (35 attempts)
Season
355-Frank Selvy, Furman, 1954 (444 attempts)
Career
(4 yrs.) 982-Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina, 2006-09
(1,241 attempts)
(3 yrs.) 893-Pete Maravich, LSU, 1968-70 (1,152
attempts;
Here are a few facts regarding Pistol Pete's NBA career:
- As an NBA Rookie, Maravich appeared in 81 games and averaged 23.2 points per contest-good enough to earn NBA All-Rookie Team honors.
- Maravich erupted in his third season, averaging 26.1 points and dishing out 6.9 assists per game.
- The following season (1973-74) was his best yet-at least in terms of individual accomplishments. Maravich posted 27.7 points per game-second in the league behind Bob McAdoo-and earned his second appearance in the All-Star Game.
- 1976-77) was his best-ever as a professional player. He led the league in scoring with an average of 31.1 points per game. He scored 40 points or more in 13 different games, including a 68-point masterpiece on UA-cam against the Knicks. At that time, it was the most points ever scored by a guard in one game. In fact, only two players in league history had scored more points in a single game: Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.
If the above statistics do not convince you, then whoever stated Pete Maravich was not a good basketball player has not done his or her homework. More facts: Maravich completely turned around the Louisiana State college basketball program;
If the guy below, who stated Pete Maravich was not a great basketball player, was not joking, then go review his biography on Wikipedia and other references.
Peace, out!
K. McDee
Thx EINSTEIN
Thanks for the stats! Greatest college player of all time and maybe the greatest NBA pro as well.
Thank you for the detail. Believe someone tracked his shots for his college career and determined that Pete would have averaged 51 per game for his career with the 19-9 three point line.
He scored 68 and you can't call him a ball hog he had like 15 assist
I remember watching him when I was a kid and I was always amazed by his overall game the dazzling passing, dribbling, unbelievable scoring from all angles around the hoop, his unprecedented court vision, relentless rebounding and great defender. I honestly believe he was the greatest all around basketball player in history.
How many of those shots were nothing but net or back of the rim straight through? The man was pure. Pistol never saw a shot he didn't like. Pullin up on a fastbreak, SWISH, like he was unconscious.
Yes, but his teammates had to ready. He would hit you with the pass if you were open, too.
And no 3 point line
Way, way ahead of his time! Just think if he had played with the Lakers or Celtics at that time. How many championships!? Some were jealous of him. Some didn't understand him. He was an ARTIST with a basketball. His on-court charisma/persona may never be matched! Thank goodness we have youtube to watch him forever!
He shot the ball exceptionally well for someone with hands as large as his, he would be a force in the game today and I'm sure he would have taken full advantage of the three point line
Yes - the Pistol was WAAAAAAY ahead of his time. The greatest showman ever, and a phenomenal individual personally
68 points no dunkin pure shootin an layups ..Greatness
At 1:38 I walk right behind Pete's right shoulder, looking up at him, with my 70's Pete hair style. I was a ball-boy for the Jazz back in the day. That was a great game... I still have the stat sheets they handed out to the players and press that night. Love you and miss you Pete.
My favorite basketball player ever,R.I.P. Pistol Pete,wish I could see u play and win a championship and wish the best luck to your sons and family
+Logan McClendon “LRM73” That was nice
He had it all..shooting, ball handling, court sense. They only thing he did not have was figuring out how to make his team better. But with his leadership, the ball was in their court, so to speak.
that inbounds play low-post cut is amazing to watch again and again
I remember watching this game on Channel 9 WOR-TV in New York. What a shame he was never on a really good pro team.
Pete Maravich is the greatest and best basketball player in Basketball history, he could do it all and more ,Never be another Pistol, he had a God given talent for sure .
I watched the game live,he was guarded by 6 different guys and shooting all day from nearly half court!!!!
OMG! Awesome post!!! I remember watching this game. Knick fan here but LOVED Pete Maravich. This was amazing! and GREAT job on the editing and the post. Just WOW!
Yes 68 points and it may have been more as his last foul was NOT a charge! Still, what a great game by an amazing basketball player. Its awesome that we have such videos of Pistol Pete. Bob Cousy was the first great NBA guard but IMO Maravich was better and the first great "showman" of the NBA. So tragic that he died at such the early age of 40. But he died playing ball.
Friggin Dick Bavetta...
imagine what he wouldve done these days with a 3pt line, an easier way to score and drive in the paint and better refs. he most likely wouldve surpassed wilt chamberlain's 100pt game and kobe's 81 point game
this was a 75 point game if you count the shots from 3 pt. range.
mortimer zilch and the two fouls called by the stupid refs
TOO COLD! The two at the end were in no way charges today! they'd tear an arena apart if you fouled out the star with 2 charges in the 4th going for 70! Lol long live Pistol Pete.
You're right. And that last one wasn't a charge by their standards either. The defenseman was clearly moving.
The rules today are too offensively helpful.
The called 2 fouls on the Knicks against Pete that weren't really fouls, it evened out, I think. I saw it another another video.
Only 1 shot in this game by Pete was a 3 pointer, that I could "see".
Pistol Pete is the all-time leading NCAA Division I scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game
I can see why , now
Pete averaged 44 a game for his college career without a three point line. In todays game with the line he would have averaged over 50 and that was for a four year college career. Wow! One of the 2 or 3 greatest all time but so underated,
Pete is the all-time leading scorer in college in 3 years when most play 4 years. His 1st year at L.S.U. he played jr. varsity so his scoring didn't count.
I believe that Pete only played three years on the LSU varsity. I don't think freshman were allowed to play in the 1960's, if memory serves.
Joe Namath would want to kiss you. :)
His pull-up J is so pure and perfect, it's like he invented it
Perhaps it's a nostalgia felt by the viewing of these games of the past, but the way the net swished like lace when the ball went through is something that I miss. Perhaps they've redesigned, for longer life, the netting vs. yesteryear but it was like a knife going through soft butter...and many times a snap at the end. Loved seeing it!
I know what you mean, can't explain but I feel that way too
I noticed that too. Plus, no three-point line in those days.
That Jumper! He gets in the lane an pulls it like modern players.
"Pistoooooooooooool Pete" :D The best player of history !! !!
Before he became a famous Sportscaster, James Brown was in training camp with Pete trying out for the Hawks. He relates (Maravich: Pages 216-217) that they had to do suicide drills while dribbling a basketball. Pete used two balls while everyone else used one and he still was faster than nearly everyone else dribbling the two balls. As Nate Archibald (the only player to ever lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season) said: "People today don't know how really great Pete was".
Thank you so much for adding this video of someone who is clearly one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
imagine how much more pistol would have scored in this game if there was a three point line. he averaged the most points per game in NCAA history, and any shots that he took that were from 3 point range were only worth 2 points back then. kinda mindblowing if you think about it.
He was phenomenally ahead of his time," said Hall of Fame center Bob Lanier, "And I could tell you to this day he is the only player I've seen that I would pay to see play."
"He was and is my idol," said Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, "even though he was only two years older than me." "He was just so far ahead of the game with his ball handling and creativity." "To see him...could you truly realize what he could do and how important he was to the game."
Actually, Dale Brown (LSU's head coach after Pete was in the NBA) went through all of the Pete's games and calculated that if there were a 3-point line, he would have averaged 57 points a game and 15 three's a game.
@aitraining : Actually, former head coach Dale Brown did go through all the information he could find and added in the 3-point line (as if it was there). "Years later LSU head coach Dale Brown reviewed game tapes and ascertained that had a three point line been in place when Pistol Pete played Pete would have averaged an astounding 13 three pointers per game which would have boosted his average points per game from an astounding 44 per game to an unbelievable 57 points per game." SICK!!!
The worst thing the NBA ever did was create a 3 point line, these games were more fun to watch; guys like Pete did not have to worry about the "arc"; just taking shots from wherever, one less thing to think about not having an "arc". Also, anyone here claiming he would have had more points had there been a 3 point line is wrong. The three point line is a distraction; it may even lure a great shooter, like Pete, to step back and take several less percentage shots and miss, versus him simply making several two point shots more to his advantage. Even a great shooter is gonna miss from "out there" so in the end he really does not come out with more points, as you seem to argue.
That backwards (not reverse) layup was sick.
So true. Someone calculated what his scoring average would have been throughout his college career if there had been a three point line. They went through every game and every shot and found that he would have averaged more than 57 points a game. Amazing.
@80sweregr8 great comment. many people dont realize how good he really was. he would dominate anybody playing right now.
68 point game with no 3 pointer... Nuts for a gaurd. Everything was a jumper basically and a few were clearly beyond nba three. Unreal.
thats really insane. 57 points is nuts. and 15 threes a game? i think the record is like 11 or something like that. thats just nuts. imagine seeing that
This guy is hands-down the best basketball player ever. Not the greatest athlete to play the game, but nobody's skill can compare to this man.
Perhaps, Curry and Oscar Robertson. Not many.
Pete Maravich was like a Harlem Globetrotter playing in the NBA!!!
SWISH! Every shot. Most people either don't realize it or they underestimate it but "Pistol" Pete is, no doubt, the best shooter and ball-handler in, dare I say, the whole history of the NBA. Yes, I went as far as I can to say that. Pistol Pete had such a grace while shooting and dribbling the ball. Most people think he's underrated. No doubt one of the TOP TEN in NBA HISTORY. Although I like Pete, he is behind the number one point guard, Magic Johnson.
+ToyTeeth I'm a big fan (of Pete's) too. But unfortunately, he had about 8 strong seasons in the league. Then the knee injury ended his real run. His last 2 seasons he was a limping image of his old self. Then again, David Thompson was similar too. About 6 strong seasons for him in Denver. Each had their primes cut short.
What do you think of the comparisons to Steve Nash? I think Walton got it right, when he smiled, shook his head and mentions how Pete was much more athletic, taller and had more versatility. I could add, while Pete was not a standout defender, he wasn't a total loss on D, like Nash, either. Of course, Gervin, Dantley and Vandeweghe were probably is lousy as Nash, too (on D).
great clips,thx for the memories...
bill walton said he was a more athletic steve nash, now thats crazy
yep...much bigger than Nash too
Omg that backwards jump shot @ 3:47 is the most impressive thing ive ever seen. Ive never seen anyone even attempt a shot like that let alone make it.
More a like a "Backwards Layup." Really amazing shot that has not been done by any other player since.
remember this game well at 11 years old on friday night in new York wor channel 9. the knicks were shown on Fridays also the rangers great times.
Imagine how much more legendary he'd be if he played in an era when people gave a damn about basketball.
One of the greatest ever!!
Without a doubt, if they had a 3 point line back then, Maravich would have beaten Wilt's record of 100 points. If you watch his LSU highlights, he's very comfortable shooting the ball from 25-30 feet.
The fifth foul was bullshit and the sixth would have never been called in that situation in a todays NBA. Pete was the most entertaining player I've ever seen. I just wish there was some broadcast footage of some of his college games available. Thanks for posting.
In his college days if you adjusted for the modern college 3 point line he would have averaged 57 points a game over his 3 year career. That is insane.
The shot at 3:49 is amazing. How did he see the basket? I just wonder how many he would have scored with the three point line in this game. Plus, he should not have fouled out, that last call was a bad one.
These remarks by Lanier were taken from a recent article that appeared because of the anniversary of Pete's death. Usually when one great player comments on another he will say the player was "great" or "phenomenal" or "one of the best". But Lanier goes way beyond that: "And I can tell you to this day he is the only player that I've seen that I would pay to see". This is the impact that Pete had on even the other great ones.
When Pistol died, Coach Brown (the LSU coach at the time who coached Shaq) went through the line scores and tabulated how many jump shots were beyond 20 feet. Without the benefit of stepping back to take a three, he would've averaged 13 three pointers a game in college. Incidentally, he averaged three thirty footers a game!
I remember an interview with some hall of fame coach after Kobe scored his 81, he was at this game and what everyone has to remember this was pre-3 point shot. He said Pistol shot at least 5 maybe more shots that were 3 point range and of course as hot as he was, he probably would have made sure the he was behind the line on those borderline shots, in his opinion had there been a 3 points shot, just on the 5 deep shots he would have had about 83 points. Look at it carefully I do see about 5.
If there were 3 pointers on this night he would have scored over 100 points,incredible game ffrom an incredible talent.I saw the game live on tv,cable,it seemed like every shot he too was from 30 feet out.He did things even jordan could not do.Nice to see otto moore play well,he was much maligned but worked really hard on his game to get back into nba.
No three point line. The knee injury ended his NBA career, something that would have been easily repaired today.
Yeah, he would have averaged 50+ in college, if there had been a 3-point line. Pistol Pete was within his shooting range once he crossed halfcourt! Great vid and thanks for sharing, OnParr!
Wow 2 bogus charging calls ruin the game for him. What an amazing player.
THANK YOU for posting this......Hoping Fredette can follow ...well see
Pistol Pete was Amazing... Imagine if three pointers were in play...He could have scored 100.
Walt Frazier was a great defender....had No chance against Maravich. No one did.
Keep in mind certain things when observing the game back then: no three point line which means less floor spacing, dribbling was different and many techniques today would be called for carrying, zone defense was illegal, and players played in flat sneakers on cold hardwood. Given all that, to see Pete move and shoot how he did here is amazing. Not to take away from the NBA greats we have now but it makes me think how incredibly spoiled players are today compared to the past.
Hi HaCK. The reason for the passivity of the defensive players is because they, first of all don't expect him to take some of the longer shots, and also because they knew better than to guard Pete too closely. It is hard to believe that Nash, Hamilton, Stockton, Iverson, Marbury, and a host of other players shorter than Pete and without his ball handling ability, shooting range, or endless offensive shot selection can play today, but Pete couldn't.
a lot of these would be and 1 in modern game
Smoothest stroke in the history of the game. Bird included.
Check it out. If there had been a 3-point line Maravich would have scored an additional 13 that night, bringing his total to 81. Amazing!
Thats otto moore number 34 for the jazz,nice to see the much maligned but hard working moore playing well for the jazz,after struggling with afew teams.
Those two fouls were BS. HE should not have fouled out. Plus, I don't think they had the 3 point line then either. HE should have had 80. Maybe the greatest offensive performance ever in the NBA.
Wonder how many points hed have if there was a 3 pt line
I tried to count how many might have been beyond the modern 3-point arc in the NBA. I counted four. He would have scored 72. Of course, if the line had been there, he would have played it differently and probably shot more shots at that distance. The NBA put the rule in for his final season and he went 10-for-15 from behind the arc, playing off the bench on two bum knees. What he would have done in his prime with the 3-point line, we can only imagine.
Well counting that and if they called fouls like they do nowadays for James, Durant, Bryant, and such he probably would've had around 130 points. And those games probably would've taken around 6-7 hours or so because you have to stop at every trip down the floor for a foul.
Brian Honigman James hardly gets any fouls.
Brian Honigman chill lebron gets about 7-8 free throw attempts a game
Charles Taylor I meant that comment for you
That shot at 3:49. How did he see the basket?
Those two charges were phony. I wonder if the three point line had been there, he probably would have been in the mid seventies at least.
Had all the moves, sweet release at the top of his jump shot. If there was a 3 pt line he would shatter records.
Dude, Pistol used to play Dr. J one on one nightly for money (dinner). No one could stop Pistol, just like no one can stop Kobe or Jordan, you have no idea how good he was. Magic patterned his game after him and Kobe said "All my tricks I learned from Pete Maravich"
The man could create shots for himself as well as anyone who ever played the game.
Thanks for the upload!
if he had played in a later era, he would be a legend like jordan, bird, and magic.
I think maravich could definitely average 25+ in today's game.
Wao tremendo jugador era este señor cuantas cualidades.
@THETOYOTAable
Pete (Knicks) and MJ played against competive teams. Kobe's big game against Toronto came against a team that didn't win 20 games all yr. No comparison
top 5 shooting guard all time
Pete, like West, Robertson, Frazier, Jo Jo White, Dave Bing and more recently, yes Gary Payton, were great COMBO guards.
One of the most underrated play-by-play announcers of all time, Andy Musser, is announcing this. (Along with Cal Ramsey, who's sounds like a cross between Barry White and Don Cornelius.) He announced the Phillies for years, and I liked him better than Harry Kallas.
+Glen Slater Musser, like a lot of announcers as they got older (including Harry Kalas) became more mistake-prone by the time I grew up with the Phillies "Big 4" announcers--Kalas, Ashburn, Wheeler and Musser in the late '80s through the mid 90's, and unfortunately I didn't get to enjoy him in his prime. However, he always had that professional delivery and soothing voice. In this clip his calling is crisp and has the perfect emotion for the moment--tipping your cap to a great player on the opposing team. I can't go so far as to say I liked him better than Harry, but he definitely was underappreciated and isn't remembered the way Harry and Whitey are.
Pistol and Larry same team, in their prime playing today. Think about it. I'm thinking several titles. Todays NBA ( street ballers) couldn't have stopped them.
This is 68 by a jump shooter before the three point line.
ive never seen anything like pistol. why is he so dam good
RIP, Pistol Pete...and RIP, play-by-play announcer Bob Wolff. Both had great careers in their field.
Pete's "68" line 26/43 16/19 6reb 6asst 2blk 3stl vs Kobe's "81"..28/46(7/13 3's) 18/20 6reb 2asst 1blk 3stl. If we adjust downward for Kobe's 3's and consider assists, Pete accounted for 80 points, Kobe 78.
@emmettk I came clean one year ago...go look at the old posts!! That said, Pistol's 68 is still one of the single greatest performances in NBA history as was Kobe's 81 (and some of the other performances noted in other posts).
Just for context as to how impressive this was. He dropped 68 against Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and Bill Bradley.
Both are great player.
I was at this game... quite an experience. I was sitting underneath the visitors basket. Pete had me shaking my head. I didn't know he had so many points though, till I saw the stat sheet.
I've used this quote before but what the heck: Nate Archibald on Pete: (NBA retro) "People today [and that means arthur]don't know how really great Pete was". Ernie Digregorio: In 2000. "The things he did with a basketball were amazing. If you compare him to the players today it's a joke. He was so much better than anyone out their today." (Maravich page 219)
those charge calls were dubious
He's a BAAAAAAAD MAN!
pete kicked butt, and had a so so team to play with at LSU. his list of admirers include larry bird, red auerbach, and JOHN WOODEN
I believe I saw Dean “the Dream” Meminger. Those Kick teams back then were lotsa fun to watch.
Dale Brown charted every shot he took in college, and he would have made thirteen 3's per game and averaged an absurd 57 ppg if they had the 3 point line.