REST EASY, WES
Unseld, who battled Knicks for a decade, dies at 74
Unseld, center who did battle with Knicks for a decade, dies at 74
Wes Unseld, one of the best defensive and passing centers in NBA history, died Tuesday morning at 74.
Though only 6-7, Unseld played center for the Baltimore Bullets/ Washington Capitals/Washington Bullets from 1968-81, waging fierce battles with Knicks center Willis Reed. He led Washington to its only NBA championship in 1978, when he was named MVP of the Finals.
Unseld
“passed away peacefully following lengthy health battles, most recently with pneumonia,” the family said.
From 1969 to
1975, Unseld’s teams played the
Knicks in the playoffs every single spring.
The Knicks emerged victorious every year but one. After the Bullets acquired Elvin Hayes to pair with Unseld for the 1972-73 season, Washington went on to make three NBA Finals in 1975, ’78, and ’79.
“Wes Unseld was one of the most consequential players of his era,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “An NBA MVP and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, Wes elevated the game by mastering the fundamentals. His competitive drive and selfless approach made him a beloved teammate, a respected opponent and a cornerstone of the Washington Wizards franchise, with whom he won an NBA championship.
“Wes also set the model of class, integrity and professionalism for the entire NBA family during stints as a player, coach and team executive with Washington and through his dedication to expanding educational opportunities for children.”
Unseld, who was picked as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players, is one of only two players in league history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same season (Wilt Chamberlain is the other).
Unseld ranks seventh all time in rebounds per game with 14. He was an innovator of the long outlet pass, something his godson, Kevin Love, brought back to the highest levels of basketball. (Unseld and Kevin’s father, Stan, were teammates on the Bullets for two seasons).
Unseld was the GM of the franchise from 1996 to 2003, a tenure perhaps best known for the signing of Michael Jordan.
“Those of us who were fortunate enough to spend time with Wes knew him as a generous and thoughtful man whose strong will was matched only by his passion and drive for uplifting others,” current Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard said. “His physical prowess, undeniable talent and on-court demeanor may have struck fear in opponents throughout the NBA, but he will be remembered best as a mentor, leader and friend.”
His son, Wes Unseld Jr., is currently an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets.
A five-time All-Star, Unseld instantly made the team then known as the Baltimore Bullets into a winner after he was taken with the No. 2 overall pick — behind future teammate Elvin Hayes — in the 1968 draft.
A decade later, Unseld led the Bullets past the Seattle SuperSonics in a seven-game series best known for Washington coach Dick Motta’s proclamation: “The opera ain’t over until the fat lady sings.”
“I never played pretty,” Unseld said on the day he was elected to the Hall of Fame. “I wasn’t flashy. My contributions were in the things most people don’t notice. They weren’t in high scoring or dunking or behind-the-back passes.”
Wesley Sissel Unseld was born March 14, 1946, in Louisville, Kentucky, where he won two state championship at Seneca High School and then stayed home for college, attending the University of Louisville.
He averaged 20.6 points and 18.9 rebounds over his four years with the Cardinals. In the NBA, Unseld averaged 10.8 points and 14 rebounds for his career.
“We all admired Wes as the pillar of this franchise for so long,” Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said, “but it was his work off the court that will truly leave an impactful legacy and live on through the many people he touched and influenced throughout his life of basketball and beyond.”