Bob Pettit, NBA’s first Most Valuable Player, dies at 93
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Bob Pettit, the NBA's first Most Valuable Player in 1956 and the first player to score over 20,000 points, passed away at 93, as announced by LSU and the Basketball Hall of Fame.
- Pettit was an 11-time All-Star and two-time league MVP who led the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks to their only NBA championship in 1958, famously scoring 50 points in the Finals clincher against the Boston Celtics.
- Known for his rebounding prowess, Pettit averaged 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game over his Hall of Fame career, pioneering the power forward position with a versatile offensive game.
- After retiring in 1965, Pettit transitioned to a career in banking and financial consulting, remaining connected to basketball and earning praise from contemporaries like Bill Russell and Lenny Wilkens for his competitiveness and impact on the game.
- Pettit's legacy includes induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971 and recognition as one of the greatest forwards in NBA history, though some feel his contributions have not always received full recognition.
