Once regarded as one of the truly greatest players in NBA history, who was mentioned by his very peers like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and so on in their class, now seems as a shadow in a world of young fans who seem anything but to understand his greatness.The name of Bob Pettit doesn't ring bells to many people nowadays. This article will about the legendary big man and why he's arguably a top 15 player of all time.
You're sitting there, in front of your computer, reading an article of some 6-foot-9 power forward who weighted less than guards today, played in a fast pace era which inflated overall numbers and in a league that had around ten teams and wondering.You're probably saying, "What's this guy even thinking? How can Pettit even be considered that high historically speaking?" Well, there are numerous reasons. It just being as a revolutionary player, something which goes without saying. He was, simply put, that good.
Pettit was a quick, mobile and athletic big man who did damage to opposing defenses from either inside or outside. He was known for his deadly jumper which allowed him to excel at the perimeter and made him a real mismatch offensively.
His elite ability to shoot, which was arguably the best in the league for some time, offensive arsenal and post game made him a fantastic scorer. Pettit had nice efficiency and consistency for a high-volume scorer, and he was very reliable as well.
However, it's not all of these that defined him. The things that defined him were hustle and second -- sometimes even third -- efforts. Bob was among the most elite presences on the glass because of his attitude.
No, it isn't about the numbers, neither the fact that he elevated higher on key stages etc. Pettit, although not known for his defense, was solid overall in this aspect of the game.
He achieved something which very few from his era did it all: beat a Russell-led Celtics (he was injured, though) in the Finals. He did that goal in 1958 with a closing effort of 50 points and 25 rebounds.
He came close several more times on a missed layup and in few other attempts. Pettit elevated himself in elimination games on a top level. He had efforts of 39/17, 28/20, 31/17 and so on in the postseason and the Finals.
It seemed as if his prime was actually his entire career. It's very hard to define his peak year, considering his consistent excellence. The 10 All-First NBA selections support this opinion. It's another reason why he retired after 12 years.
Speaking of excellence, Bob as an individual was as good as it gets. He was arguably the NBA's finest player in several seasons and a two-time MVP in a league that featured Russell, Elgin Baylor, Bob Cousy, Paul Arizin and other greats with comfortable margins. He was also a four-time All-Star Game MVP winner.
You think that I've gone crazy again (if you're still reading) by bringing the awards that don't have big meaning nowadays. In Pettit's time, they did. Nice bonuses were given to the winners (the players didn't have million-dollar contracts at the time) and they played really hard. When you can be awarded four times as the top player in that group of players, you know you are more than good.
One of the main reasons why Pettit is overlooked is because he's thought of as a 1950s player in the mind of your average fun. That means: some white guy who was a pioneer, had nice stats but wouldn't translate quite well in today's era, let alone be a star.
He was much closer to the Bill and Wilt generation rather to the George Mikan one. When you're capable to produce beyond well against such elite opponents, you'd translate well in any era. He made five All-NBA Teams in six years in the 1960s, with four All-First selections.
The point of this article wasn't whether this somewhat forgotten and dismissed legend in the discussion of the greatest player of all-time will be either higher, lower or just about same on your list. There are, of course, different opinions.
This article was written for one cause: to open the eyes of fans that Bob Pettit shouldn't be just another overlooked, but to be given the credit he rightfully deserves.
To all those older fans and students of the game, the name of Bob Pettit rings one thing.
Greatness.
