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Unseld, who along with Wilt Chamberlain is one
of two players to win NBA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable
Player honors in the same season, died following lengthy health
battles, most recently with pneumonia.
"Wes Unseld was one of the most consequential players of his
era," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "Wes
elevated the game by mastering the fundamentals."
The second pick in the 1968 NBA Draft, Unseld turned the Bullets
around in his rookie year by leading them to 21 more victories
than the previous year and the team's first ever playoff
appearance.
A bruising center with an awesome outlet pass and a nose for the
ball, Unseld was troubled by knee problems his entire career but
always played a physical game. He retired in 1981 as the
league's seventh all-time leading rebounder.
Unseld led Baltimore to five consecutive playoff appearances and
continued the streak when the team moved to Washington in 1973.
The Bullets made 12 consecutive playoff appearances during
Unseld's his career, including four trips to the NBA Finals.
The pinnacle of Unseld's career came in 1978 when he led the
Bullets, who rebranded themselves as the Wizards in 1997, past
Seattle for the NBA championship and was named Finals Most
Valuable Player for his efforts.
"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,"
said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard.
After his playing career, Unseld also worked for the Washington
team as a vice president, head coach and general manager.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
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