Título: Pete Maravich
Seção: Atlanta Hawks
Background: Pete Maravich was born to Petar "Press" Maravich (1915-1987) and Helen Gravor Maravich (1925-1974) in Aliquippa, a steel town in Beaver County in western Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. Maravich amazed his family and friends with his basketball abilities from an early age. He enjoyed a close but demanding father-son relationship that motivated him toward achievement and fame in the sport. Maravich's father was the son of Serbian immigrants and a former professional player-turned-coach.

Conteúdo: The Atlanta Hawks selected Maravich with the third pick in the first round of the 1970 NBA draft, where he played for coach Richie Guerin. He was not a natural fit in Atlanta, as the Hawks already boasted a top-notch scorer at the guard position in Lou Hudson. In fact, Maravich's flamboyant style stood in stark contrast to the conservative play of Hudson and star center Walt Bellamy. And it did not help that many of the veteran players resented the $1.9 million contract that Maravich received from the team--a very large salary at that time.  Maravich appeared in 81 games and averaged 23.2 points per contest--good enough to earn NBA All-Rookie Team honors. And he managed to blend his style with his teammates, so much so that Hudson set a career high by scoring 26.8 points per game. But the team stumbled to a 36-46 record--12 wins fewer than in the previous season. Still, the Hawks qualified for the playoffs, where they lost to the New York Knicks in the first round.  Maravich struggled somewhat during his second season. His scoring average dipped to 19.3 points per game, and the Hawks finished with another disappointing 36-46 record. Once again they qualified for the playoffs, and once again they were eliminated in the first round. However, Atlanta fought hard against the Boston Celtics, with Maravich averaging 27.7 points in the series.  Maravich erupted in his third season, averaging 26.1 points (5th in the NBA) and dishing out 6.9 assists per game (6th in the NBA). With 2,0

user: When did Pete join the hawks?

assistant: The Atlanta Hawks selected Maravich with the third pick in the first round of the 1970 NBA draft,

user: Did he play well with the hawks?

assistant: Maravich appeared in 81 games and averaged 23.2 points per contest--good enough to earn NBA All-Rookie Team honors.

user: How was his style of play?

assistant: In fact, Maravich's flamboyant style stood in stark contrast to the conservative play of Hudson and star center Walt Bellamy.

user: What was his best game?

assistant: Hudson set a career high by scoring 26.8 points per game.

user: How did that season end?

assistant: The Hawks soared to a 46-36 record, but again bowed out in the first round of the playoffs.

user: How did he play in his next season?

assistant: The following season (1973-74) was his best yet--at least in terms of individual accomplishments.

user: What else happened in this season?

assistant: Maravich posted 27.7 points per game--second in the league behind Bob McAdoo

user: Did he have another season playing?

assistant: However, Atlanta sank to a disappointing 35-47 record and missed the postseason entirely.

user: What happened to him next in his career?

assistant: Maravich erupted in his third season, averaging 26.1 points (5th in the NBA) and dishing out 6.9 assists per game (6th in the NBA).

user: What other highlights did he have in this season?

assistant: With 2,063 points, he combined with Hudson (2,029 points) to become only the second set of teammates in league history to each score over 2,000 points in a single season.

user: What other success did he have in this season?

assistant: the season was good enough to earn Maravich his first-ever appearance in the NBA All-Star Game, and also All-NBA Second Team honors.