- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Bob Pettit. Why does he not get more love on here?
Posted on 5/10/24 at 4:21 am to Tiger1988
Posted on 5/10/24 at 4:21 am to Tiger1988
Was in tiger band(bengal brass) for the 100 years of basketball in 2009.
The legend put his hand on my shoulder and is a redwood of a man. It was apparent he could still bust heads.
I’ve met some lsu legends but only saw him once.
The legend put his hand on my shoulder and is a redwood of a man. It was apparent he could still bust heads.
I’ve met some lsu legends but only saw him once.
0
Posted on 5/10/24 at 5:32 am to Who_Dat_Tiger
In addition to being born in 1932 and most of us never watching him play in any fashion, I think it's as simple as being in the same school shadow of two of the most transformative players ever - the college GOAT (Maravich) and one of the greatest big men and recognizable faces in the history of the sport (Shaq)
At most non blue bloods he would be the #1 alumnus easy. Here he just has bad luck being the older guy of a disproportionately excellent heritage. We might otherwise be playing home games in the Bob Pettit Assembly Center
I do wish LSU made his importance to both the college and professional game more evident. I'm not sure a lot of our own fans realize that the legacy of the #50 hanging in the PMAC is genuinely on equal footing with the #23 and #33 they are more familiar with
At most non blue bloods he would be the #1 alumnus easy. Here he just has bad luck being the older guy of a disproportionately excellent heritage. We might otherwise be playing home games in the Bob Pettit Assembly Center
I do wish LSU made his importance to both the college and professional game more evident. I'm not sure a lot of our own fans realize that the legacy of the #50 hanging in the PMAC is genuinely on equal footing with the #23 and #33 they are more familiar with
This post was edited on 5/10/24 at 7:26 am
Posted on 5/10/24 at 6:22 am to Tvilletiger
I do think most people on here, at least those that know LSU existed in the 1900’s, put him in our all-time starting 5 with, Pete, Shaq, Chris and Rudy.
Damn, that’s a great starting 5.
Damn, that’s a great starting 5.
This post was edited on 5/10/24 at 7:29 am
Posted on 5/10/24 at 6:33 am to Tvilletiger
quote:
I never saw him play. Is there anybody on here that did?
You answered your own question in a way. Recency bias. It has and always will influence the conversation. As does nostalgia, but Pettit did not play when most or even many games were recorded. So someone like me, I'm 62, was 3 years old when his career ended. Most guys on this forum are younger than I am.
Another thing is that most guys here are primarily football fans and to a lesser degree basketball fans. Many are only casual baseball fans. So a lot do not know about many guys pre-Shaq besides Pistol Pete unless they were students or fans before that.
But to the more informed or nostalgic fans, Pettit is revered, and rightfully so.
This post was edited on 5/10/24 at 6:38 am
Posted on 5/10/24 at 6:37 am to jimlsu1
I remember seeing him on TV (Back then you didn't see many NBA games on TV.). He was a tremendous power forward that had a great jump shot and was very, very good at rebounding (very physical). Loved his game. 
Posted on 5/10/24 at 6:48 am to Tvilletiger
because a lot of the younger posters on here never saw him play, and believe college sports started in 1990.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 6:53 am to Tvilletiger
quote:
Seems like he would be more revered?
He should be - he was very simply one of the best players of his generation. And he played against the Bill Russell's, Wilt Chamberlains and Walt Bellamy's he wasn't just doing at against lilly white competition. You go back and read comments from Russell and Chamberlain on Petit, they recognized his greatness. He's still at a lot of LSU basketball games just sitting right there in the arena and most people there don't even know who he is.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 7:03 am to Imtheman2
Just for reference, in the NBA Pettit is #3 in Rebounds per game (16.22) in his career behind Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain while playing 7 minutes less per game than Wit and 4 1/2 minutes less per game than Bill. He is also 10th in Points per Game (26.36). Ahead of him are Jordan, Chamberlain, Doncic, Embid, Elgin Baylor, Durant, James, West, and Iverson. For reference Oscar Robertson is 11th, Steph Curry is 20th, Jabbar is 21st, Bird is 23rd, and Pistol Pete is 25th.
Only two players have averaged over 16 RPG and 26 PPG. Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Pettit.
Only two players have averaged over 16 RPG and 26 PPG. Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Pettit.
This post was edited on 5/10/24 at 2:03 pm
Posted on 5/10/24 at 7:10 am to Tiger Ugly
My father grew up down the street from Mr. Pettit. Said he was clumsy and ungainly and a bit socially awkward as a boy and young man.
But he wanted to take advantage of his size and play basketball. To do that he shot and dribbled basketballs for HOURS at a time to make himself better. Rarely hung with the other guys, just worked and worked his arse off and became an NBA legend.
His popularity is unknown these days. Likely due to pinheaded sports writers who ignore him because his full name is Robert E Lee Pettit.
But he wanted to take advantage of his size and play basketball. To do that he shot and dribbled basketballs for HOURS at a time to make himself better. Rarely hung with the other guys, just worked and worked his arse off and became an NBA legend.
His popularity is unknown these days. Likely due to pinheaded sports writers who ignore him because his full name is Robert E Lee Pettit.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 7:15 am to Tvilletiger
Posted on 5/10/24 at 7:27 am to TigerMac81
quote:
Because young people now think the world started when they were born.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 7:51 am to Tvilletiger
Same reason Pheidippides doesn’t. He was a long time ago.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 7:57 am to Tvilletiger
That's Robert E. Lee Petit to you (his actual name btw)
Posted on 5/10/24 at 8:05 am to mdomingue
He led the Hawks to an NBA championship over Bill Russell and the Celtics. My father played with him @LSU.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 8:24 am to Tvilletiger
He’s a hall of famer on the Mt Rushmore of LSU Athletes but he’s 90 years old and has never been one to be in the spotlight once he entered his private life.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 8:30 am to Tvilletiger
I used to live on his street in Tigerland when I was at LSU back in the mid 80's
Posted on 5/10/24 at 8:34 am to Tvilletiger
Never heard his name mentioned on the rant. He was a good guy.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 8:35 am to Tvilletiger
quote:
Bob Pettit. Why does he not get more love on here?
Always wondered...true NBA legend per Chamberlain and Robertson.
Posted on 5/10/24 at 8:36 am to Tvilletiger
quote:
I never saw him play.
Page 2 of 5
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News