Tag: Wes Unseld

LeBron James shouted out Rod Strickland for 20-20 game from 1998

LeBron James recognized Rod Strickland’s greatness in a tweet Friday.

Rod Strickland simply could not be checked on Feb. 10, 1998.

Strickland and the Washington Wizards were playing the Golden State Warriors, and the Wizards were 25-24 heading into the matchup. Golden State was 8-37. By the time the Wizards had finished beating the Warriors, Strickland had put together a stat line for the ages.

He had a triple-double, scoring 21 points, dishing 20 assists and grabbing 12 rebounds. According to Basketball Reference, he is one of four guards in league history to score at least 20 points, dish 20 assists and grab 10 rebounds. Russell Westbrook, Isiah Thomas and Guy Rodgers are the other three.

Strickland’s performance was so good, that Los Angles Lakers star LeBron James shouted it out Friday on Twitter, quote tweeting a highlight video that showed Strickland’s career night.

James has always recognized the league’s greats, and Strickland was one of the best guards of his era. He was a crafty dribbler and had one of the best layup packages ever.

In 17 seasons, Strickland scored 13.2 points per game, dished 7.3 assists a game and shot 45.4% from the field. He ranks third on the Wizards’ all-time assists leaders, right behind John Wall and the late Wes Unseld.

[lawrence-related id=32076,32128,29640,29380]

Tim Connelly: Wes Unseld Sr. was one of …

Tim Connelly: Wes Unseld Sr. was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Beyond the gruff voice, vice grip hands, and constant smart comments, lied a man who cared so deeply for his family and his community. Big Wes abhorred the special treatment that often accompanied fame. He treated everyone he came across in such a warm and respectable manner. When I joined the Bullets as an intern in 1996 I both revered and feared Wes, a few days into the job the fear quickly dissipated.

Every personal or professional …

Every personal or professional milestone that I reached included a call to Wes, I wanted his advice and needed his guidance; he was always spot on. There are countless stories that we could all share, most ending with a good laugh and an even better meal. In these crazy times I am hopeful that all of us who were lucky enough to cross his path take a moment to reflect on what would big Wes say and do. He was a man of action. He would never stay on the sidelines. To Mrs Connie, Kim and Wes I’m sorry I’m not there with you guys. Heaven just got a whole lot funnier! Love you Big Wes, Tim

Liz Mullen: NBA Commissioner Adam …

Hall of Famer center Wes Unseld has died at the age of 74

Unseld was one of two players in NBA history, along with Wilt Chamberlain, to win NBA MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season.

Hall of Fame center Wes Unseld, who spent his entire 13-year career with the Bullets franchise, has died at the age of 74, his family announced Tuesday morning in a statement.

Unseld was one of two players in NBA history, along with Wilt Chamberlain, to win NBA MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Additionally, Unseld was a five-time NBA All-Star and helped lead the Bullets to its first NBA championship during the 1977-78 season.

Unseld led the Baltimore Bullets to five consecutive playoff appearances and helped continue that streak when the team moved to Washington in 1973. The Bullets made the playoffs in 12 of his 13 seasons, including four appearances in the NBA Finals.

Following his playing career in 1981, Unseld worked in the Bullets’ front office for six years until he became head coach of the team. He coached until 1994 and eventually returned to the front office two years later. Unseld was the general manager of the team until 2003.

His son, Wes Unseld Jr., is an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets.

“I don’t know of anybody who ever set a …

Tales of Mr. Unseld’s toughness and …

Tales of Mr. Unseld’s toughness and selflessness are legion. His arthritic knees became so bad, he often skipped a week’s worth of practices, as well as pregame warmups, because he could tolerate the pain only for the two hours of game time. Once, he suited up just minutes after having 200 cubic centimeters of fluid drained from his left knee. “The most amazing thing to me is how effective he was with those bad knees,” teammate Mitch Kupchak told The Washington Post in 1996. “Any time he stepped on the floor, whether it was for practice or a game, he was in pain. It wasn’t comfortable for him, but he saw it as part of his job. He knew his teammates were watching him and if he didn’t do it, they might not do it. We always talk about leadership in sports, but you don’t designate yourself a leader. You just lead. That’s what Wes did.”