As society entered the age of information over the past few decades new forms of media and platforms to disseminate said media began to spring up seemingly overnight. Subsequently the lines that separate one area of pop culture from another have become increasingly blurred as more time passes. Music has merged with designer fashion, literature is constantly being adapted into film and television, and politics have clashed with technology time and time again; the list is seemingly endless. One of the prime examples of this is the world of professional sports where athletes are revered and idolized like deities; often their greatness is the subject of further investigation in literature, film and television and presented to the masses to inform and entertain them about the larger than life individuals at the center of these projects. One of the most recent examples of this is The Last Dance, an ESPN docu-series exploring Michael Jordan’s final title run with the Chicago Bulls that captivated audiences last summer. Now another NBA player will be the subject of a new documentary with NBA legend and coach Steve Nash set to produce a new biopic about legendary Utah Jazz player Pete “Pistol Pete” Maravich.
With the prime of his NBA career taking place in the 1970’s, younger generations may be unfamiliar with the legend of Pistol Pete Maravich. A first-generation American born to Serbian immigrants, the 6’ 5” guard was virtually the prototypical Steph Curry nearly half a century before Curry would ever touch an NBA floor, averaging over 40 points per game in his three seasons at Louisiana State University. All that glitters is not gold however and after dealing with his fair share of injuries and personal struggles throughout his life and career, Pete Maravich would end up passing away at the ripe age of 40 years old. Many NBA legends have cited the Utah legend as a source of inspiration for their game despite the number of stars that have come and gone since his heyday, and it has now been confirmed by Collider that the Pistol’s legendary play will be the subject of an upcoming biopic set to be produced by former NBA guard and current coach Steve Nash’s production company, CTRL Media. The project will be written and directed by Brad Furman fresh off the heels of his work on City of Lies, the 2018 film starring Johnny Depp that investigated the murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G..
It is safe to say that Pistol Pete Maravich was simply well ahead of his time when it comes to his playing career. He earned the nickname Pistol for his shooting abilities when the NBA hadn’t even established the 3 point shot yet, making his average of 24 points per game even more impressive today. While one could only begin to imagine what the incredibly talented guard could do in the modern NBA, there are plenty of highlights still around that would only emphasize any conversation about Pistol Pete’s dominance on a basketball court whether it be 50 years ago or today. Now that dominance will be explored in much greater detail and will be made available to basketball fans around the globe in the very near future.
