Bob Pettit, NBA’s first Most Valuable Player, dies at 93

sportsSep 24, 202645465

Bob Pettit, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer who won the NBA's first Most Valuable Player award in 1956, died Wednesday at age 93. Pettit starred at LSU before an 11-season NBA career in which he was named an All-Star every year, earned 11 All-NBA selections, won two MVP awards, and helped the St. Louis Hawks win the 1958 NBA championship. He was the first player to pass the 20,000-point career mark and led the league in scoring in two seasons, averaging 25.7 and 29.2 points per game in those years. The Hawks and the Hall of Fame issued statements mourning his passing and celebrating his place on all four NBA Anniversary Teams. Observers recalled signature moments such as Pettit’s 50-point, 19-rebound performance against Bill Russell in the 1958 Finals and his reputation as a powerful scorer and rebounder who raised standards for the early NBA.

John Hollinger

@johnhollinger.bsky.social

RIP Bob Pettit, an all-time great from the Pre-Atlanta days and the best player on the Hawks' only NBA champion

14415d ago

Brian Morans1

For younger NBA fans, Bob Pettit was that guy from the 1950s and 1960s who was part of many 82-0 teams in that web game we all played a few months ago.

memphisgrizz55.bsky.social1

He was my hero as a saint Louis hawk

rustamtahir.bsky.social1

Best hawk ever, I say

Quoting this

3rikg.bsky.social2

Gotta rank him higher than Teague on the all time list

JR Radcliffe

@jrradcliffe.bsky.social

The death of Bob Pettit means there are no remaining living members of the Milwaukee Hawks (1951-55), the franchise that of course became the Atlanta Hawks. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

10015d ago

taxmanager01.bsky.social2

You left out the St Louis Hawks, the team that won the NBA championship in 1958,beating Bill Russell's mighty Boston Celtics.

NBA

@nba.com

The NBA family mourns the passing of Naismith Hall of Famer Bob Pettit, a two-time NBA MVP and a member of all four NBA Anniversary Teams. He raised the bar for excellence as the league’s first MVP, first 20,000-point scorer and first four-time All-Star Game MVP.

9415d ago

The Associated Press

@apnews.com

Bob Pettit, an imposing scorer and rebounder for the St. Louis Hawks and winner of the NBA’s first MVP, dies at 93.

6115d ago

Don Linn1

He was amazing in his day...

Quoting this

Michael Pacholek3

He was the NBA's all-time leading scorer, but Wilt Chamberlain surpassed him while he was still playing.

TSN

@tsnofficial.bsky.social

NBA Hall of Famer Bob Pettit has passed away at 93. Pettit played 11 seasons in the NBA, earning an All-Star selection in every season of his career. He was also a two-time NBA MVP and made history as the first player ever to win the award.

1015d ago

Ennui-tery

@jerkwheatery.bsky.social

Go nail a baseline jumper and yell out BOB PETTIT in his honor

1815d ago

CDRE Fool Mental Jackass VI4

There is little more entertaining than a bunch of testerone-mad bros at the gym getting infuriated at the old white dude in New Balance and sweatpants who is dropping absolute string music on their heads with a one handed set shot

RM Cooper2

one of the all time great Twitter threads.

Calmed down1

Drop a McDouble while doing it

NDEddieMac1

I would’ve guessed he’s been dead since the 80s lol

Brad Rowland

@btrowland.bsky.social

The Hawks released a statement on the passing of Bob Pettit:

915d ago

Chicago Tribune

@chicagotribune.com

Hall of Famer Bob Pettit, the NBA’s 1st MVP and an imposing force for the St. Louis Hawks, dies at 93

815d ago

Poseur

@poseur.bsky.social

Bob Pettit was a bad ass. An absolute f'n monster of a player. First NBA MVP, 1st player to 20,000 career points... Never beat Kentucky, but he beat Bill Russell and the Celtics for a title. www.andthevalleyshook.com/2019/6/20/18...

215d ago

HoopsAnalyst

@hoopsanalyst.bsky.social

From "Tall Tales," some love for Bob Pettit: -Pettit: switch from C to PF was huge -Good jumper shooter who lived at FT line -Lenny Wilkens: "Bob's hands were like vises...you couldn't knock the ball loose...He wasn't graceful but he was smart & would be damn good today." RIP.

515d ago

Lisa Marie

@lisamarietea.bsky.social

Found out that legend of tigerland street names Bob Pettit died yesterday. Gonna go make a terrible decision in his honor. (Lol all my decisions are terrible.)

515d ago

Winterbreeze

@attimod.bsky.social

😢Bob Pettit 93, who was named an All-Star in each of his 11 NBA seasons and was one of the greatest scorers and rebounders in league history, has died, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame said Thursday. He led the league in scoring both seasons, with 25.7 and 29.2 points per game, respectively.

115d ago

Rob Pollard

@robpollard45.bsky.social

Pour one out for the great Bob Pettit. I don't think there is an all-time NBA great I know less about (beyond his stats). I never heard him talk or saw much video of his play. I do know the man put up 50 & 19 against mf'in Bill Russell to win the title. #respect #nba www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

115d ago