Bob Pettit
Hawks MVP (1956-61) · 1956–1961
Pettit's elite Inside Scoring (90) and strong Stamina (88) define this era.
Trophy Case
1956, 1959
First-ever NBA MVP (1956) — two-time winner
1958
Scored 50 in the clinching Game 6 to beat Russell's Celtics
1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965
11 selections — the first great power forward
1956, 1958, 1959, 1962
4 All-Star MVPs — most in NBA history at the time
1956, 1959
2 titles — the first great power forward scorer
Signature Moments
50 Points to End the Celtics Dynasty — 1958 Finals
Pettit scored 50 points in Game 6 of the 1958 Finals — including 19 of the Hawks' last 21 — to beat the Celtics for the championship. It was the only time in an 8-year span that the Celtics didn't win the title. Pettit did it single-handedly.
He scored 50 to beat Bill Russell's Celtics in the Finals. He is the only person who broke the Celtics dynasty in the late 1950s. One man, one night.
Career Numbers
Career Games
792
Career Points
First player to score 20,000 points
20,880
Points Per Game
Career average — 3rd highest of his era
26.4
Rebounds Per Game
16.2
Season Stats · Hawks MVP (1956-61)
Engine Attributes
Fan Debate
What's your take on Bob Pettit?
Loading debates...