I saw Pettit score 57 points vs. the Pistons at Olympia Stadium in 1961. It seemed like most of his points came on long jump shots from the corners… spectacular performance I will never forget !!
Thank goodness, he rightfully made the top 50. It is unfortunate people talk of no end about Dr J, Bird, Magic, Kareem and Jordan, but barely if at all, know of Pettit and Baylor's greatness.
@@lloydkline3265 no doubt. Pettit ran the floor, could catch and shoot. Had some pace and flow to his game. His game translated much better than Schayes into modern times.
To be fair, had Bill Russell not lost about 2.5 games to injury, it's unlikely Atlanta wins that series. On the other hand, Alex Hannum *was* the ONLY person to beat the Russell-era Celtics twice (as Coach for Atlanta in '58 and later as the 76ers Coach). No doubt that's why Wilt actually respected the man.
MANY high school and college players could benefit from watching this. I love Bob Pettit's toughness and determination and how he was most proud of his rebounding than any other facet of his game. Averaging 16+ rebounds per game for 11 years (one year over 20). And playing as hard as he could for all-star games? VERY impressive.
Quote from Red Auerbach (Celtics coach) "Bob would play all out whether 50 points ahead or behind, that was the only way he played". On the St. Louis Hawks winning the '58 Finals "You can always look for excuses (Russell missed two games due to injury) but we just got beat." (Auerbach refused to lay blame on Russell's injury)
It’s was arguable about 2 decades ago. It’s not arguable anymore. No disrespect to pettit but Duncan is untouchable at that spot. Duncan was as perfect a player statistically, accolade wise and skill wise as anyone ever. He’s a top 10 player. Pettit is no longer that. Hadn’t been for a long time. Pettit has a strong case for 2 or 3 depending on how u look at malone, kg, dirk and Barkley. I’d say he’s 4 or 5.
@@TheIcemanthomas Like I said, arguably, and you make some excellent points about Duncan, he's a great one. There have been some great power forwards in history like Elvin Hayes, Maurice Lucas, Bob McAdoo, Connie Hawkins, Kevin McHale, Dave Debusschere. These are some of my faves.
@@jingqi9106 I think pau gasol deserves mention just on longevity alone. And his career in Spain as well. People kind of shit on him a lot because Kobe was so great. They make it seem like he was a role player and was nothing before the lakers. Bosh is another one that probably ranks higher than people would think.
@@jingqi9106 he is recognized more as a 4. He’s like Duncan. Played a lot of 5 but still recognized as a 4. Could be either or but any list u ever find will consider him a 4.
A number of years ago LeBron James scored almost all his team's points in the fourth quarter to win a playoff series. The commentators said they never were aware of anything like that. They failed to mention that in the 6th game of the St. Louis Hawk's 1958 championship series with the Celtics, Pettit scored 50 points, including 18 of the final 21, to lead the Hawks to a 110 to 109 victory. It was the Hawk's only NBA title and the only time that the Celtics lost in the finals in Bill Russell's skein of 11 championships in 13 years. The greatness of Pettit is largely forgotten because he played from 1955 to 1965 and the NBA does not promote its pioneers like baseball does. During Pettit's tenure in St. Louis he was the equivalent to baseball's Stan Musial.
Certainly before my time, but Pettit was quite highly regarded in his era. It looks like - unless it was an old-fashioned set shot - that he had terrific elevation on his jumper. Good hops for that era.
Growing up in St. Louis during those days I had two athletic heroes. Stan Musial and Bob Pettit. Before there was the Boston vs Los Angelis rivalry there was Boston vs St. Louis and it was intense. Boston just had too many good players and usually came out on top.
I have never heard Bill Russell not include Bob Pettit on his all time team. He has great respect for Bob. One of the very few players to average 20+ 13+ in his career. I say 13+ rebound wise for the great Walt Bellamy. Walt never received his due as a great. Although Walt is in the HOF now.
I saw Bob Pettit destroy the New York Knickerbockers many times at the old Madison Square Garden. It's not that he's under-rated, it's that in today's world of the immediate present, he is all but forgotten. Would he be great now? Of course.
funny to see these guys . bird got a lot from them it seems. his speeches usually had part of theres .. great foundation for starting kids to play basketball . show fun simple break down version of it . same thing after that pretty much .. wish i saw these and old plays when i was a kid . probably would of played from middle school.
Faster than Wilt? NO. 499 games. Faster than MJ? NO. 620 games In fact, Bob is #12 on that list - at 760 games. Tied for 10th if you count seasons (with 4 or 5 other players) - Wilt needed 7, everyone else was 9+. Bob was the FIRST player to 20,000 - but he had a few seasons head start on Wilt.
the pacers spurs pistons sonics and knicks history doesn't equal the history of the hawks because superstars like willis reed weren't as elite as cliff hagan pete maravich and bob pettit
@@youtuber3328 Saint Louis isn't exactly small either. They were BIGGER than Indianapolis as a city into the 1960s and possibly the 1970s, before their major population decline started = their metro area as far as I've been able to find has ALWAYS been bigger. They also have less "close" competition - only Chicago while the Hawks were in St. Louis - where Indy has had to compete with Chicago, Cinci (Orcar's Royals), Detroit, AND Louisville (the Colonels of the ABA) for fans and potential players. Note that the Pacers and the Colonels were the only 2 teams to exist during the entire run of the ABA without relocating or renaming.
I saw Pettit score 57 points vs. the Pistons at Olympia Stadium in 1961. It seemed like most of his points came on long jump shots from the corners… spectacular performance I will never forget !!
The two PF that are often overlooked, Bob Pettit & Elvin Hayes. These guys were spectacular.
Bob petitt first 20,000 point nba basketball 🏀 player, legendary shooter, elvin hayes revolutionizes the run around jump shot in the low post in nba
@@lloydkline6946 ❤ bob petit; college & nba basketball pioneer
And you were a great player too Paul
Thank goodness, he rightfully made the top 50. It is unfortunate people talk of no end about Dr J, Bird, Magic, Kareem and Jordan, but barely if at all, know of Pettit and Baylor's greatness.
Original powerforward
❤️Oldies NBA basketball players do not get their repect golden era 1950s / 1960s / 1970s
@@lloydkline3265 no doubt. Pettit ran the floor, could catch and shoot. Had some pace and flow to his game. His game translated much better than Schayes into modern times.
He had 50 pts and 25 rebs in game 6 of the 1958 NBA Finals!!!
So underrated, first to score 20,000 in the NBA. A superb Power forward at 6.8 1/4 actual height. 1958 led the Hawks to their only championship.
To be fair, had Bill Russell not lost about 2.5 games to injury, it's unlikely Atlanta wins that series.
On the other hand, Alex Hannum *was* the ONLY person to beat the Russell-era Celtics twice (as Coach for Atlanta in '58 and later as the 76ers Coach).
No doubt that's why Wilt actually respected the man.
A very well spoken humble man.
MANY high school and college players could benefit from watching this. I love Bob Pettit's toughness and determination and how he was most proud of his rebounding than any other facet of his game. Averaging 16+ rebounds per game for 11 years (one year over 20). And playing as hard as he could for all-star games? VERY impressive.
My hero bob petitit
Quote from Red Auerbach (Celtics coach) "Bob would play all out whether 50 points ahead or behind, that was the only way he played". On the St. Louis Hawks winning the '58 Finals "You can always look for excuses (Russell missed two games due to injury) but we just got beat." (Auerbach refused to lay blame on Russell's injury)
Bob Pettit was the original power forward and arguably the greatest PF of all time, that's how good Pettit was.
It’s was arguable about 2 decades ago. It’s not arguable anymore. No disrespect to pettit but Duncan is untouchable at that spot. Duncan was as perfect a player statistically, accolade wise and skill wise as anyone ever. He’s a top 10 player. Pettit is no longer that. Hadn’t been for a long time. Pettit has a strong case for 2 or 3 depending on how u look at malone, kg, dirk and Barkley. I’d say he’s 4 or 5.
@@TheIcemanthomas Like I said, arguably, and you make some excellent points about Duncan, he's a great one. There have been some great power forwards in history like Elvin Hayes, Maurice Lucas, Bob McAdoo, Connie Hawkins, Kevin McHale, Dave Debusschere. These are some of my faves.
@@jingqi9106 I think pau gasol deserves mention just on longevity alone. And his career in Spain as well. People kind of shit on him a lot because Kobe was so great. They make it seem like he was a role player and was nothing before the lakers. Bosh is another one that probably ranks higher than people would think.
@@TheIcemanthomas Pau was a helluva player, but I consider him more of a center. There is a good sized list of great power forwards in history.
@@jingqi9106 he is recognized more as a 4. He’s like Duncan. Played a lot of 5 but still recognized as a 4. Could be either or but any list u ever find will consider him a 4.
A number of years ago LeBron James scored almost all his team's points in the fourth quarter to win a playoff series. The commentators said they never were aware of anything like that. They failed to mention that in the 6th game of the St. Louis Hawk's 1958 championship series with the Celtics, Pettit scored 50 points, including 18 of the final 21, to lead the Hawks to a 110 to 109 victory. It was the Hawk's only NBA title and the only time that the Celtics lost in the finals in Bill Russell's skein of 11 championships in 13 years. The greatness of Pettit is largely forgotten because he played from 1955 to 1965 and the NBA does not promote its pioneers like baseball does. During Pettit's tenure in St. Louis he was the equivalent to baseball's Stan Musial.
At 4:35, that's Pettit grabbing the rebound between Wilt and Russell during an All-Star Game. Talk about having all the great rebounders in one spot.
Missing the underrated pair of Nate and Lucas.
Then there's rebounding-prime Rodman....
Well said
Top 20 player of All-time!! I got Bob ranked #18...his accomplishments speak for themselves
Brandon Stinson the original power forward as nd msybe the best played against neil Johnston George mikan etc etc
First NBA player to score 20,000 points
He’s my grandma’s 2nd cousin
Pettit u can put in any era he'd do great
The great bob pettit. People like to skip over him in all time PF debates. He’s squarely in my top 5 just over Barkley.
Got my vote
Well said
Certainly before my time, but Pettit was quite highly regarded in his era. It looks like - unless it was an old-fashioned set shot - that he had terrific elevation on his jumper. Good hops for that era.
Bill Russell.. John havlicek... And red Auerbach all had him in the top six player list of alltime
A very underated nba powerforward , legendary basketball 🏀 player, first nba player 20,000
Growing up in St. Louis during those days I had two athletic heroes. Stan Musial and Bob Pettit. Before there was the Boston vs Los Angelis rivalry there was Boston vs St. Louis and it was intense. Boston just had too many good players and usually came out on top.
I have never heard Bill Russell not include Bob Pettit on his all time team. He has great respect for Bob. One of the very few players to average 20+ 13+ in his career. I say 13+ rebound wise for the great Walt Bellamy. Walt never received his due as a great. Although Walt is in the HOF now.
Jerry Lucas
@@theretrosavage Nate Thurmond.
That's the great Terry Dischinger dunking at 4:56 in the 1984 NBA all-star game played in the Boston Garden.
Good player
Great, great player!
I saw Bob Pettit destroy the New York Knickerbockers many times at the old Madison Square Garden. It's not that he's under-rated, it's that in today's world of the immediate present, he is all but forgotten. Would he be great now? Of course.
Bob petitit a hero among nba all star basketball player❤ him
only man to beat Russell's Celts in the Finals...nuff ced
NO DOUBT. Only Bob and Wilt ever stopped Russell;s Celts, albeit only one time each.
Bullshit, the Hawks lost because of the refs a year earlier in seven games. This was their vindication and they rightfully deserved it..
PorkFrog love bob prett successfully off the basketball and on the basketball court, great shooter and rebounder my hero in my sports books
Russell was hurt
@The Ultimate he did play in 4 games and was 1-3...he also led both teams in TRPG and was right around his playoff PPG [16.2 vs 14.3]
funny to see these guys . bird got a lot from them it seems. his speeches usually had part of theres .. great foundation for starting kids to play basketball . show fun simple break down version of it . same thing after that pretty much .. wish i saw these and old plays when i was a kid . probably would of played from middle school.
❤ bob petitit my hero
such hustle
Him & Oscar both shot with one hand
George McGuinnes was more famed for that.
Oscar did it SOME of the time, as did Bob.
George did it ALL the time.
Ginn Kamote...cool videos!
His best team was the 1959 Hawks but lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals.
Wow Johnny most!!
Damn, I didn't know the Hawks were from Milwaukee
They were the Tri-City Blackhawks before Milwaukee. There was a lot of movement of franchises in that era.
Fastest player to reach 20,000 points ? Of all times? Bob Petitt.
Faster than Wilt? NO. 499 games.
Faster than MJ? NO. 620 games
In fact, Bob is #12 on that list - at 760 games.
Tied for 10th if you count seasons (with 4 or 5 other players) - Wilt needed 7, everyone else was 9+.
Bob was the FIRST player to 20,000 - but he had a few seasons head start on Wilt.
White Charles Barkley
Bob pettitt was a better shooter
Karl Malone was better than Barkley.
Barkley was a better ball-handler. He could start his own break off the rebound.
Charles barkey was a low post player, bob petitt was more jump shooting powerforward
@@davanmani556 like jason kidd ; one man fast break; charles barkey & larry johnson more alike powerforward: charles barkey the edge talent wise
Xclnt player
B
the pacers spurs pistons sonics and knicks history doesn't equal the history of the hawks because superstars like willis reed weren't as elite as cliff hagan pete maravich and bob pettit
Hawks had a major advantage over the Pacers.
BIG MARKET TEAM.
Indy is quite a bit smaller than Atlanta.
@@bricefleckenstein9666 it's nice to meet you and no disrespect but the hawks were WAY better in st louis
@@youtuber3328 Saint Louis isn't exactly small either.
They were BIGGER than Indianapolis as a city into the 1960s and possibly the 1970s, before their major population decline started = their metro area as far as I've been able to find has ALWAYS been bigger.
They also have less "close" competition - only Chicago while the Hawks were in St. Louis - where Indy has had to compete with Chicago, Cinci (Orcar's Royals), Detroit, AND Louisville (the Colonels of the ABA) for fans and potential players.
Note that the Pacers and the Colonels were the only 2 teams to exist during the entire run of the ABA without relocating or renaming.
@@bricefleckenstein9666 thanks for telling me
He was a racist that's why he retired early cause he couldn't fuck with the blacks.