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RIP Wes Unseld, one of the true greats

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by NewRoxFan, Jun 2, 2020.

  1. NewRoxFan

    NewRoxFan Contributing Member

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  2. xiki

    xiki Contributing Member

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    This man played like the Chuckwagon wished he could have played; and carried himself through life the way I wish I had.
     
    Easy, Yung-T, saleem and 3 others like this.
  3. NewRoxFan

    NewRoxFan Contributing Member

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    I am pretty sure Unseld was only 6'6" (I think listed as 6'7") but he was a beast inside and even with Elvin Hayes alongside Unseld gobbled up every possible rebound. He would set screens that would loosen teeth and used his bulk to defend. But he was perhaps the best passing center of his era, and one of the best outlet passers of all time. That Bullets teams was one of my favorites.
     
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  4. Nook

    Nook Member

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    A 6'6" center that pushed people around and averaged nearly 15 rebounds a game.

    I have never met him but I have only heard good things about him as a human being.
     
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  5. htwnbandit

    htwnbandit Member

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    Legend. Doesn't really get talked about the way many other centers do but he should.
     
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  6. Jontro

    Jontro Member

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    rip. his hairline is enviable
     
  7. xiki

    xiki Contributing Member

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    I disagree ONLY with his height. I always ‘knew’ it to be 6’5”. And beast and a half.

    And then everyone had a 7-footer in the middle.
     
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  8. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    Sidenote, Bullets is a cool team name.
     
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  9. saleem

    saleem Contributing Member

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    RIP. I feel sad.
     
  10. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    He was like pj Tucker.
     
  11. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    RIP. Horrible year 2020.

    Sad to hear it is some sort of pneumonia.
     
  12. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    The Chuckwagon wished he could have balled like Sir Chuckster.
     
  13. xiki

    xiki Contributing Member

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    I wish he could have, as well. But that man gave every ounce. Loved him!
     
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  14. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"

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    Nice little profile from 10+ years ago in his hometown paper.
    https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-03-catching_up_with_wes_unseld_1-story.html

    "I was country-strong," he said. "I didn't lift weights or work on some Nautilus machine. I grew up in Kentucky, carrying block and brick in construction work with my dad."

    Nowadays, Unseld operates a private school in West Baltimore with his wife, Connie. There, the five-time NBA all-star does everything from typing memos to cutting the grass to teaching youngsters how to bake bread. The man once dubbed "Wes Unselfish" is still a team player.

    On weekends, he said, "I dilly dally in photography and woodworking. Got a wood shop at the house."

    What does Unseld make?

    "My wife calls it 'expensive kindling,' " he said, then paused. "I think she's right."

    ---

    ASIDE: hometown papers (like the Baltimore Sun) used to be so great for their communities. It's sad we're going to lose all them.
     
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  15. boomboom

    boomboom I GOT '99 PROBLEMS
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    Expensive kindling. LOL.

    RIP and thoughts to the family. Sounds like Wes was a fantastic human being.
     
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  16. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
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    A man that truly deserves being called a legend. A real loss. Rest in peace, Wes.
     
    B-Bob and Easy like this.
  17. Dr of Dunk

    Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

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    I don't remember watching him play since I had just started watching basketball around when he retired, but obviously know what a legend in the game he is. R.I.P. big dude.
     
  18. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
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    Can we call him the original small ball center? Did you know that his career 3pt average was 50%? Not to mention 14 rebounds per game.
     
  19. xiki

    xiki Contributing Member

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    Sidenote: no, it is not.
     
  20. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    Cool, let's have an internet snowflake fight about a cool team name.
     

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