4 Stats That Prove Wes Unseld Was Underrated

Wes Unseld, longtime Bullets player and coach, recently passed away due to ongoing health battles. However, his legacy will continue. The 13-year player earned some impressive accolades, ranging from 5x All-Star to 1978 NBA champion and Finals MVP. Unseld was one of the league's most dominant big men, with a Hall of Fame career to prove it.

While many may not know the name, Wes Unseld's career was unforgettable, and four stats prove how underrated he really was.

4. Assists

Unseld's passing game was not one to ignore. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

While the assist numbers may not be off the charts, they were quite impressive for a big man of his era. Unseld dished out an average of just under four assists per game over his career, posting 5.2 APG in the 1975-1976 season. This stat is crucial as it points to Unseld's versatility and passing ability, a skill absent from many big men in the league's history.

3. Win Shares

Unseld's impact showed up in the record book. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Win shares are a worthy estimate of a player's impact on a team, and Unseld's was quite significant for the Bullets. Unseld's WS was in the double-digits for almost half of his career, especially impressive considering his impact on the defensive end. It's a bit rare to see players make such a noticeable contribution through defense, but that was the case for Unseld, indicating the importance of his presence on the court.

2. Rebounds

Unseld fights for a rebound, arguably his best attribute. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

At the height of 6-7, Unseld was a dominant center, particularly on the boards. He entered the league and averaged 18 rebounds per game in his rookie year. Throughout his career, Unseld only averaged less than 10 RPG in 1973-1974, which also happened to be the only season where he played less than 70 games. Regardless, Unseld finished his career averaging 14 RPG, a mark that sits seventh on the all-time list and rivals many of the league's greatest big men.

1. Playoff Performance

Unseld transformed the Bullets into a playoff nightmare. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Many players' careers are defined by the playoffs, and Unseld was at his best when it mattered most. Rebound numbers spiked up, even approaching 24 RPG in the 1970 postseason. Additionally, despite being a contributing scorer during the regular season, Unseld scored at an improved rate in the playoffs, averaging almost 19 points per game in his rookie campaign. Those two metrics are just a taste of Unseld's playoff dominance, as he brought a Bullets team that was dead last in their division before he arrived to 12 consecutive playoffs and an NBA championship in 1978.