Originally Posted by
As I See It
While Maravich's personal numbers were awe-inspiring, his teams' numbers were....not so much (really, not at all).
I'm of the age that I saw him play live at the AgCenter at LSU. He would draw double and triple teams night after night, yet I never saw one of his LSU teams compete for an SEC Championship (never mind NCAA Championship).
I saw him snubbed by OSU Hank Iba for the 1968 Olympic Team (despite Maravich being named MVP in each of the games leading up to the team selection). Yep, Maravich was sent packing in favor of Jo Jo White. Legit? Who knows?
I saw him drafted third by the Hawks (after Bob Lanier and Rudy Tomjanovich) despite his gawdy college statistics.
I saw him practically kicked out of Atlanta after teaming with Fellow Hall of Famers: Lou Hudson and Walt Belemy for a couple of seasons (as well as a couple of other NBA All Stars) due to his inability to 'play team ball'.
As soon as the Jazz acquired Maravich in its inaugural season, I became a season ticket holder (Municipal Auditorium, Loyola Field House, and the Superdome). While 'The Pistol' dazzled locals with his flash, he (and the team) also frustrated locals with his crash. I saw him make opponents look stupid and cheered insanely only to end my night, more often than not, with a walk out of the arena...another loss on the team ledger.
I was crushed and felt betrayed when the Mormon owner, Sam Battistone (Sambo), moved the team to Utah in 1979.
I was gratified to see Maravich have a chance to play in the 1980 NBA Eastern Conference Finals for Boston (with the Larry Bird crew) only to lose to the Dr. J-led 76'ers. After that series, he retired from the game.
*****
Had his sport been Tennis, Golf, Bowling, Boxing, Sumo Wrestling, Handball, or any other individual sport, his individual numbers would mean a lot...he arguably could have been called the greatest ever. In a team sport, however, they pale by comparison. Did he excel at high level? Individually he sure did. But, in a team sport, that is only one piece of the puzzle to measure greatness.