Tuesday, July 21, 2020
The Washington Wizards were founded in 1961 and have made it to the postseason half of the time they been in the league. Although they only have one championship to show for it, the franchise as presented basketball fans with a lot of talented players. But, in my opinion, the greatest Wizards player of all-time is the late Wes Unseld (R.I.P.).
Wes Unseld was known for his toughness. He did whatever it took to win and it showed in his play. He played with the Wizards (known as the Bullets back then) for his entire 13-season career.
During his career, he was a five-time All-Star who was named to the All-NBA First Team in his rookie season and even won league MVP as a rookie (joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only two people to accomplish that feat). He also led the league in rebounds during the 1974-1975 season.
Unseld averaged 10.8 points per game while playing with Bullets. He also averaged 14.0 rebounds per game, as well as 3.9 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, and 0.6 blocks per game. He also shot the ball well. He shot 51% from the field while knocking down three of his six career three-pointers (the three-point line was introduced to the league in 1979). He finished his 13 seasons with a true shooting percentage of 54%.
Currently, Wes Unseld is the Washington Wizards’ fifth all-time leader in points with 10,624. He is also their second all-time leader in assists with 3,822, their sixth all-time leader in steals with 628, and their 12th all-time leader in blocks with 367.
Unseld helped the Bullets make the postseason 11 times and helped them win their first and only championship while winning Finals MVP. During the playoffs, though, he averaged 10.6 points per game. He also averaged 14.9 rebounds a game, 3.8 assists a game, 0.8 steals a game, and 0.7 blocks a game. He shot 49% from the field while missing his only three-pointer. He finished with a combined true shooting percentage of 52%.
As of right now, Wes Unseld is the Washington Wizards’ second all-time leader in points scored during the playoffs with 1,260. He is also their second all-time leader in steals with 67 and blocks with 55. He is their all-time leader in rebounds with 1,777 and assists with 453.
The Wizards may not have been a successful franchise but they’ve had a lot of great talents on their rosters. They presented athletes like Elvin Hayes, Walt Bellamy, and Gilbert Arenas. The Wizards even had the pleasure of getting Michael Jordan to play for them, even though he was out of his prime. They even have guys like John Wall and Bradley Beal suiting up for them today but Wes Unseld is, in my opinion, the greatest Wizards player ever.
AllBallTakes 