Part 4 of 5 in the Pete Maravich Series
September 1980
Pete Maravich, who signed a new contract with the Boston Celtics less than two weeks ago, has quit the club, apparently ending a 10-year pro career.
"Pete told me he had had it," the Boston coach, Bill Fitch, said. "He just didn't feel he could get himself up for another season." The 32-year-old Maravich called Fitch yesterday morning before flying home to New Orleans.
Fitch said Maravich had told him, "I think I've shot one basket too many." Maravich, the leading collegiate career scorer, signed with the Celtics last January after the Utah Jazz bought out the remainder of his contract, reportedly for nearly $2 million for two and a half seasons.
He's retired," said Press Maravich, Pete's father and his former college coach at Louisiana State, in a telephone interview from Mandeville, La. "I guess he just lost his enthusiasm. You remember when Cowens quit a few years back. He just lost his enthusiasm and couldn't put up with the hassles."
"At age 32 and after 10 seasons," Fitch said, "he felt he simply didn't have the desire it takes to get over the hump and face another season of traveling, another season of not seeing his child grow up.
"The fact that he's financially secure was probably part of his decision," Fitch added.
September 1980
Pete Maravich, who signed a new contract with the Boston Celtics less than two weeks ago, has quit the club, apparently ending a 10-year pro career.
"Pete told me he had had it," the Boston coach, Bill Fitch, said. "He just didn't feel he could get himself up for another season." The 32-year-old Maravich called Fitch yesterday morning before flying home to New Orleans.
Fitch said Maravich had told him, "I think I've shot one basket too many." Maravich, the leading collegiate career scorer, signed with the Celtics last January after the Utah Jazz bought out the remainder of his contract, reportedly for nearly $2 million for two and a half seasons.
He's retired," said Press Maravich, Pete's father and his former college coach at Louisiana State, in a telephone interview from Mandeville, La. "I guess he just lost his enthusiasm. You remember when Cowens quit a few years back. He just lost his enthusiasm and couldn't put up with the hassles."
"At age 32 and after 10 seasons," Fitch said, "he felt he simply didn't have the desire it takes to get over the hump and face another season of traveling, another season of not seeing his child grow up.
"The fact that he's financially secure was probably part of his decision," Fitch added.
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