I saw in this morning’s paper that Wes Unseld had died. He was just 74.
Mr. Unseld was a unique basketball player in the National Basketball Association. I once had the pleasure of seeing him play at Madison Square Garden and later rode with him in the same elevator back at the Statler Hilton.
Mr. Unseld was listed at 6-7 and 245. He was easily 245 pounds, but he was not 6-7, maybe 6-4, but not 6-7. He was not a lot taller than me. He was, however, very broad, so broad that he simply positioned his massive lower torso between the basketball and the opposing rebounder. He didn’t have to even jump for the rebound. It came down in his hands and in one motion, he turned and fired a bullet of a pass up-court to Earl the Pearl Monroe or another streaking guard.
He was the best rebounder and outlet passer I ever saw.
Mr. Unseld was also a quiet and humble man. He greeted me in the elevator – didn’t have to, he just did. He eschewed all the hype and publicity. He didn’t taunt or showboat. He went about his business and was a consummate professional.
If they play basketball in heaven, nobody else will have a chance for a rebound.