@@KeithCloss33 I remember you Bro, you had the big hair and you are like over 7 feet tall, you played against some pretty stiff competition, who was the toughest center you guarded if you don't mind me asking
@Gregory-sm9pf Hakeem and David Robinson, by far. Their skills set were second to none. Although Sabonis was near the end of his career, he was also tough.
@@KeithCloss33 Wow! Those two were really good and so were you Keith, you blocked shots on some big gamers including if I'm not mistaken Hakeem! Thanks for responding Man, appreciate it, Happy New Year to you and God Bless
Supposedly, Fitch was the reason Marovich left. He had already played for enough coaches that rubbed him the wrong way. Despite his bad knee, by coming off the bench, Pete could have been an effective player for three or four more years, as he was the last year he played. Too bad. Another truly great player that never won a championship.
I totally agree with Oscar that Elgin was one of the all time great players that everyone seems to forget about. I saw Elgin play in his prime and he was one of a kind. The things he could do with his body when he was in the air went unmatched by any other.
Given Larry Bird had nothing to do with tanking on Fitch his name should be left off this. Bird found out guys didn't give their best and let his teammates have it. Bird picked Fitch to introduce him for his acceptance to the Hall of fame. And when Bird became a coach he stated he would only coach for 3 years because after that players tune out the coach.
2:22 The big difference between KC Jones and Fitch was that KC had seen BOTH sides - 8 rings as a player after all when he PLAYED for the Russell-era Celtics and SAW what worked better than any other team ever.
Several of his players have dogged him publicly. Today I rewatched McHale’s induction speech and sure enough lol was a tyrant taskmaster to hear them tell it.
It's incredible that when it comes to sports, some people like Bill Fitch would know everything about basketball players (Athletes) or entertainers. Still, when it comes to politicians, doctors, lawyers, judges, cops, and people who matter greatly to people's lives, along with their children, people know nothing and fall for every con in the book.
Not really, it was THE NORM at the time for coaches to not like the "trick shot". And given the inside players the Celtics had, 40% for 3 vs 60% for 2 and a MUCH HIGHER chance of rebounding misses wasn't bad advice.
@@bricefleckenstein9666 Where do you get the notion that a close shot gives a team a much higher chance of an offensive rebound? Fitch most certainly had watched Larry's college games and understood that he had a virtually equal chance of hitting a 22 foot shot as an 18 foot one. I don't know how many Celtics games you watched back in the day but Larry put the ball up a lot of the time without concern for distance. A coach that could do math would have demanded that Larry step back to the three point line.
@@johannesswillery7855 A long shot bounced further and just pure randomness allows more of the players a chance at the rebound than on a short shot that is going to be dominated by the centers and power forwards "in the paint". And no, Larry did NOT have as high an average on the longer shot - there's a reason his shooting founded the "50-40-90" club and NOT a "50-50-90" club.
@@bricefleckenstein9666 Larry's shooting percentage from 22 was very close to what it was from 18. I didn't think you would have any data supporting your rebound claim.
@@johannesswillery7855 Ever seen a center rebound a LONG shot? It's very uncommon - they normally bounce out of the rebounding reach of anyone in the paint, the exceptions are if they bounce UP instead of back the way they came.
Bob Ryan is way passed his prime, he’s almost as fruit loops as joe Biden, and tanguay is just a nobody, how he’s lasted so long with absolutely no talent is amazing.
Thank you for sharing this video. Bob Ryan is such a great interview and a wealth of knowledge!!!
RIP Coach Fitch. It took years before I was finally able to get it, and get you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live my childhood dream.
Did you play for Fitch as an LA clipper?
@@Gregory-sm9pf Yes
@@KeithCloss33 I remember you Bro, you had the big hair and you are like over 7 feet tall, you played against some pretty stiff competition, who was the toughest center you guarded if you don't mind me asking
@Gregory-sm9pf Hakeem and David Robinson, by far. Their skills set were second to none. Although Sabonis was near the end of his career, he was also tough.
@@KeithCloss33 Wow! Those two were really good and so were you Keith, you blocked shots on some big gamers including if I'm not mistaken Hakeem! Thanks for responding Man, appreciate it, Happy New Year to you and God Bless
Supposedly, Fitch was the reason Marovich left. He had already played for enough coaches that rubbed him the wrong way. Despite his bad knee, by coming off the bench, Pete could have been an effective player for three or four more years, as he was the last year he played. Too bad. Another truly great player that never won a championship.
I totally agree with Oscar that Elgin was one of the all time great players that everyone seems to forget about. I saw Elgin play in his prime and he was one of a kind. The things he could do with his body when he was in the air went unmatched by any other.
Mr. Ryan gives a great interview.
Given Larry Bird had nothing to do with tanking on Fitch his name should be left off this. Bird found out guys didn't give their best and let his teammates have it. Bird picked Fitch to introduce him for his acceptance to the Hall of fame. And when Bird became a coach he stated he would only coach for 3 years because after that players tune out the coach.
2:22
The big difference between KC Jones and Fitch was that KC had seen BOTH sides - 8 rings as a player after all when he PLAYED for the Russell-era Celtics and SAW what worked better than any other team ever.
I remember when Fitch was coach of the rockets
Several of his players have dogged him publicly. Today I rewatched McHale’s induction speech and sure enough lol was a tyrant taskmaster to hear them tell it.
McHALE pretty obv even as early on as the interviews in this vid.
It's incredible that when it comes to sports, some people like Bill Fitch would know everything about basketball players (Athletes) or entertainers. Still, when it comes to politicians, doctors, lawyers, judges, cops, and people who matter greatly to people's lives, along with their children, people know nothing and fall for every con in the book.
I saw somewhere that Bill Fitch advised Larry to not shoot threes. If true, hands down it is the worst coaching advice EVER given is sports.
Not really, it was THE NORM at the time for coaches to not like the "trick shot".
And given the inside players the Celtics had, 40% for 3 vs 60% for 2 and a MUCH HIGHER chance of rebounding misses wasn't bad advice.
@@bricefleckenstein9666 Where do you get the notion that a close shot gives a team a much higher chance of an offensive rebound? Fitch most certainly had watched Larry's college games and understood that he had a virtually equal chance of hitting a 22 foot shot as an 18 foot one. I don't know how many Celtics games you watched back in the day but Larry put the ball up a lot of the time without concern for distance. A coach that could do math would have demanded that Larry step back to the three point line.
@@johannesswillery7855 A long shot bounced further and just pure randomness allows more of the players a chance at the rebound than on a short shot that is going to be dominated by the centers and power forwards "in the paint".
And no, Larry did NOT have as high an average on the longer shot - there's a reason his shooting founded the "50-40-90" club and NOT a "50-50-90" club.
@@bricefleckenstein9666 Larry's shooting percentage from 22 was very close to what it was from 18. I didn't think you would have any data supporting your rebound claim.
@@johannesswillery7855 Ever seen a center rebound a LONG shot?
It's very uncommon - they normally bounce out of the rebounding reach of anyone in the paint, the exceptions are if they bounce UP instead of back the way they came.
Bill Fitch ran Pistol Pete out of the league with his yelling all the time style.
The Lakers even tired of Riley's hard driving ways after a while.
Celtics should have tried to get chuck daly after Fitch
And what have u accomplished😅😅😅😅😅
Bob Ryan is way passed his prime, he’s almost as fruit loops as joe Biden, and tanguay is just a nobody, how he’s lasted so long with absolutely no talent is amazing.