Rest in Peace

Wes Unseld.  74 years old.  He had a lengthy history of medical issues, most recently with pneumonia.

A 6'7" center l.  You needed a bus to around his picks.  He was also a fantastic outlet passer.


Selected with the second overall pick in the 1968 draft by the Baltimore Bullets, Unseld made an immediate impact and changed the fortunes of the franchise -- now known as the Washington Wizards.

In his first season in Baltimore, he guided the team to a 57-25 record -- 21 more wins than the prior year -- and led the Bullets to their first-ever playoff appearance.

Averaging 13.8 points and 18.2 rebounds per game his rookie season, Unseld won both the Rookie of the Year and regular season Most Valuable Player awards, becoming the second NBA player after Wilt Chamberlain to capture both awards in the same season.

Longtime Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is dead at 78
Longtime Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is dead at 78
Known for his rebounding and great outlet passes, Unseld led Baltimore to five consecutive playoff appearances, which continued after the franchise moved to Washington -- technically, the Maryland suburbs -- in 1973. The Bullets made 12 straight playoff appearances and four NBA Finals during his career. Over this time the five-time All-Star averaged 10.8 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

His biggest moment came in 1978, when he and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes led the Bullets to the NBA championship, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games. Unseld was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player.

NBA champion (1978)
NBA Finals MVP (1978)
NBA Most Valuable Player (1969)
5× NBA All-Star (1969, 1971–1973, 1975)
All-NBA First Team (1969)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1969)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1969)
NBA rebounding leader (1975)
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1975)
NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
No. 41 retired by Washington Wizards
2× Consensus first-team All-American (1967, 1968)
3× First-team All-MVC (1966–1968)
No. 31 retired by Louisville Cardinals
First-team Parade All-American (1964)


bob


.

One of my all time NBA favorite players even though he was not a Boston Celtic.

RIP, Mr. Unseld.

Great player. I lived in the D.C. suburbs from about 65 until 68 when Wes turned the Bullets franchise around.

He was a fantastic player and person. Tough as nails, a great rebounder and was one of the best ever in making the outlet pass.

RIP

Thanks for the memory jogger.  I forgot they were the Baltimore Bullets first, then Washington Bullets, then politically correct Washington Wizards.

He was one of the first players I ever remember getting me into the game of basketball. Bullets were the closest team to NC at the time so they were on TV some locally. Huge dude for only 6'7". Played a lot bigger than that for sure.  

Alexa tricked me today on the Question of the Day.  She asked who played the very first NBA/professional game in 1946?

A.  Toronto Raptors
B.  Orlando Magic
C.  Boston Celtics
D.  New York Knicks

OK.  Easy to get it to 50%.  I thought to myself with all the first Boston did, they had to play the first game as well and I know the team was formed in 1946.  DOH!!  It was the Knicks!  My streak ended at 11!  They played the Toronto Huskies in Toronto!  Should have known better.  

db

Unseld was a bull under the basket, and never really got the glory he deserved. RIP sir