As a boy growing up in New York in the 50s, I somehow adopted the St. Louis Hawks as “my team”. Until years later I did not know that Bob Pettit had been cut from his high school team twice, before his determination to achieve, practicing for hours, earned him a spot, and the rest is legendary. Although there was no television coverage of his 50 point championship clinching game (that I’m aware of), I DO have a CD of the radio broadcast of the fourth quarter, where he scored 19 of the Hawks’ 21 points in a one point win. I treasure that and was thrilled to see him appear at All-Star weekend, when the top 75 players of the NBA’s 75 years were honored.
Thanks for giving Mr. Pettit some much deserved love. Speaking of which, I appreciate that Pettit ALWAYS acknowledges how much better the game is now. Some of his peers (cough, Oscar) could stand to read a page out of that book. Or a whole damn chapter.
This is an outstanding write-up. I learned a lot. I knew Pettit was in the Hall of Fame but little else about him. Interesting he pioneered the jump shot. I am sure you have written about Elgin Baylor before (I will scan your archives) but I feel like he invented hang time and few give him credit for that as well. Thanks. Just signed up for a paid subscription to support your work.
As a boy growing up in New York in the 50s, I somehow adopted the St. Louis Hawks as “my team”. Until years later I did not know that Bob Pettit had been cut from his high school team twice, before his determination to achieve, practicing for hours, earned him a spot, and the rest is legendary. Although there was no television coverage of his 50 point championship clinching game (that I’m aware of), I DO have a CD of the radio broadcast of the fourth quarter, where he scored 19 of the Hawks’ 21 points in a one point win. I treasure that and was thrilled to see him appear at All-Star weekend, when the top 75 players of the NBA’s 75 years were honored.
Thanks for giving Mr. Pettit some much deserved love. Speaking of which, I appreciate that Pettit ALWAYS acknowledges how much better the game is now. Some of his peers (cough, Oscar) could stand to read a page out of that book. Or a whole damn chapter.
This is an outstanding write-up. I learned a lot. I knew Pettit was in the Hall of Fame but little else about him. Interesting he pioneered the jump shot. I am sure you have written about Elgin Baylor before (I will scan your archives) but I feel like he invented hang time and few give him credit for that as well. Thanks. Just signed up for a paid subscription to support your work.