Wes Unseld dead at 74

[Redskins Rick]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29255201/hall-famer-former-washington-bullets-star-wes-unseld-dies-age-74

Mods, please allow this to stay here, for a day or so, before moving it to its proper location.

Quote

Former Washington Bullets player and coach Wes Unseld died Tuesday morning, according to his family. He was 74.

The family said in a statement that Unseld had lengthy health issues, most recently with pneumonia.

My favorite Bullet by far, and they had some good ones. Nobody and I mean nobody could play defensive center like he could and his inbound passes to his guards were legendary. 

He was built solid too, guys did not push him around while fighting for under the basket terrority.

He was a gentle and kind person, and not a diva in any shape or form.

RIP

[wildcard]

One of the best rebounder/fast break starters I have ever seen.   Grab the rebound and snap a throw down court to Earl Monroe, Kevin Loughery or Jack Marin on the run.   It seemed almost like one motion for him.   And a great individual to boot.  RIP Wes.

[Number5]

Great player.  Terrible news.  RIP, Wes.

[atomic]

As I mentioned in the NBA thread he was my favorite NBA player of all time.  Sad news.

[Frobby]

Great, unselfish team player.    Great work ethic.    He’ll be missed.   RIP.   

[Chavez Ravine]

2 hours ago, atomic said:

As I mentioned in the NBA thread he was my favorite NBA player of all time.  Sad news.

My all time favorite as well. The only thing I was halfway good at in basketball was rebounding. One of the best compliments I  have ever received came when I was playing at a basketball camp. I made a rebound, and Wes pointed at me from the sideline and said "Excellent positioning, son".

 

[LA2]

A truly unique player and quiet bull of a teammate. I loved how he outplayed much taller, longer-limbed centers--couldn't figure out he did it. He and Earl Monroe were such different types of players and personalities, but "Unseld with the rebound, long pass down-court to the Pearl!" was the perfect pairing. As archetypal in my youthful memory as a home run by Frank or Boog, Brooks at third, or, a few years later, Bert Jones to Roger Carr.

RIP, Wes!

[rudyrooster]

Great player!  One of my idols growing up along with Brooksie and Johnny U.

[Redskins Rick]

9 hours ago, Frobby said:

Great, unselfish team player.    Great work ethic.    He’ll be missed.   RIP.   

He had such an impact on Stan Love, that he used Wesley as a middle name for his son, and they were only teammates for 4 seasons.

 

 

[Redskins Rick]

My bad, his formal first name, was Westley.

I accidentally omitted the t.

 

[Maverick Hiker]

I used to listen to all the Baltimore Bullet games in 1968-69, how many times did I hear "Rebound Unseld, off to Monroe (or Loughery).  His full court chest passes were unbelievable.  That was such an exciting team and the seven game playoff wars they had with the Knicks (Willis Reed, Dave. DeBusschere and Bill Bradley) were unbelievable to watch.  

Wes Unseld visited my school Johnnycake Junior High school during the '68-'69 season and talked about what he thought was important in life.  I recall he said how much he admired his father above everyone else. 

He was a class act, RIP Wes,.  It was a joy to watch you play. 

[Redskins Rick]

2 hours ago, Maverick Hiker said:

I used to listen to all the Baltimore Bullet games in 1968-69, how many times did I hear "Rebound Unseld, off to Monroe (or Loughery).  His full court chest passes were unbelievable.  That was such an exciting team and the seven game playoff wars they had with the Knicks (Willis Reed, Dave. DeBusschere and Bill Bradley) were unbelievable to watch.  

Wes Unseld visited my school Johnnycake Junior High school during the '68-'69 season and talked about what he thought was important in life.  I recall he said how much he admired his father above everyone else. 

He was a class act, RIP Wes,.  It was a joy to watch you play. 

That was a special team, when they won the championship in 78. 

[atomic]

3 hours ago, Maverick Hiker said:

I used to listen to all the Baltimore Bullet games in 1968-69, how many times did I hear "Rebound Unseld, off to Monroe (or Loughery).  His full court chest passes were unbelievable.  That was such an exciting team and the seven game playoff wars they had with the Knicks (Willis Reed, Dave. DeBusschere and Bill Bradley) were unbelievable to watch.  

Wes Unseld visited my school Johnnycake Junior High school during the '68-'69 season and talked about what he thought was important in life.  I recall he said how much he admired his father above everyone else. 

He was a class act, RIP Wes,.  It was a joy to watch you play. 

You forgot the greatest Knick of them all Walt Frazier.

[Redskins Rick]

Good highlight video