re: Pete Maravich was a rare human

As great a player as he was, he had major issues that took a heavy toll on his life.

Obviously, his heart defect ended his life way too early, but he also fought severe depression for much of his career, and a major knee injury in 1978 basically ended his playing career at 31 when he was one of the best players in the game.

Jazz were solidly in contention to reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and about to win its ninth game in a row. Maravich was throwing a between-the-legs pass from half court for his 15th assist of the night in a blowout win and came down wrong. He missed the rest of the season, the Jazz missed the playoffs, and moved to Utah a year later.