Yesterday I called Wes Unseld, Phil Chenier, Kevin Grevey, Bobby Dandridge, and Earl the Pearl Monroe. I am also reaching out to Jack Marin, Elvin Hayes, and Walt Bellamy.
I want to learn from and connect with past legends for our franchise.Who else should I connect with? Who do you recommend? Who was your favorite Bullets and Wizards player? Thanks.
Hot Dog Night with Rod Strickland would be AMAZING.
Kevin Grevey,Mitch Kupchak,Dan Roundfield,Kevin Loughery and Bernard King. Also don’t forget the many good coaches and assistants. Dick Motta, KC Jones,Gene Shue, Bernie Bickerstaff, Jim Lynam and Bob Ferry.
Your one-one-one one-oh-one man; #23
Mr. Leonsis,
My main man was Archie Clark who had one of the best crossover dribbles way before Iverson. I also liked Truck Robinson, Larry Wright, Rex Chapman, Manute Bol, Bernard King, Tom Henderson, Rod Strickland, Jeff Malone, Wes Matthews
As many as possible. Players who come through here almost unanimously speak highly of playing here and what basketball means to DC. They seem to gripe about the organization, but it’s a new day and a clean slate. Playing basketball in DC is a big, big deal and we should celebrate it.
They aren’t “legends,” per se, but as a kid growing up and watching the team in the 90s, some players on some mediocre teams stood out, including the aforementioned Gugliotta, as well as Gheorghe Mureşan and Tim Legler. Legler’s 3-point contest win was the closest taste of success I got as a Bullets fan.
Calbert Cheaney
Why is Walt Bellamy’s Jersey not retired?
Mitch Kupchak … championship with the Bullets, assistant to Jerry West in LA, eventual GM of Lakers winning championships there.
Rod Strickland, Harvey Grant
I so want to return as a fan of the NBA. Please help me to do that by bringing back my Bullets. Bullet Fever…Happens to me every year…Let the Fat lady Sing Again
Grevey’s is still there, I drove past it the other day. Chris Whitney was my pick. Mitch Kupchak was a clutch Bullet but he’s busy with the Lakers. Greg Ballard. Get DC area guitarist Nils Lofgren to a game as he wrote Bullets Fever during the ’78 title run. Nils lives in Arizona and when he isn’t touring with Springsteen, he appears at the Birchmere from time to time.
Googs, Kevin Porter, Michael Adams, Rick Mahorn,Bernard King, Moses Malone, Darrell Walker, Calbert Chaney,Tracey Murray, C Webb.
And a special rememberence to Kevin Duckworth
Ooops Kevin Porter already mentioned, KC Jones one of our best coaches !
How about Kevin Porter ?
What an astute outreach Mr. Leonsis, I commend you for consulting the former stars, and studying what has worked for past and current successful sports franchises. We enjoyed the roundtable. Your C-SPAN interview was also impressive re- the double bottom line concept, which positions you and the organization in the community as apt successors of Abe and Mrs. Irene Pollin.
Mitch Kupchak
I loved watching that Championship team with Wes, the Big-E, Bobby D, and Kevin Grevey… they were a good team during the regular season, but really turned it on in the playoffs.
I also loved the Rick Mahorn/Jeff Ruland (Beef Brothers), Terry Porter and Greg Ballard teams..
Moses Malone, Charles Jones (The Secret Weapon. I loved his “do anything I can for the team” attitude – he couldn’t do a lot, but he gave everything he had), Muggsy Bogues, Manute Bol… BERNARD KING. Some lean years in the early 90′s – Rex Chapman (probably best not to call him)… Harvey Grant.
Some of my favorite memories were attending games in the mid-late 90′s with Juwan, Gheorghe Muresan (My all-time favorite player), Tom Gugliotta (only slightly less favorite than big Gheorghe), Chris Whitney (Wiz still own his rights? http://www.hoopdata.com/salaries/WAS.aspx ), Calbert Cheaney and Chris Weber…
Those are some off the top of my head….
I love the idea of a Wizards team that honors and remembers it’s past. We may not have scores of Championship banners flying in our arena, but as a result, the one we do have is special. For the Organization to look back and remember the good teams (and bad), and the great players that have worn the Bullets/Wizards uniform over the years is one of the things I look forward to as you rebuild this Franchise.
Rook6980
how about the “bruise brothers” rick mahorn and jeff ruland??
Bernard King and Jeff Malone were the guys I remembered as a youth
I would add some from the more recent past: Moses Malone and Bernard King. And if you want to include active players, then I would talk to Caron Butler.
It would be interesting to hear a perspective from players who have never played in Washington about their opinion of the Wizards/Bullets. Two that come to mind are David Robinson and Patrick Ewing.
Mr Leonsis,
Three great stars from the 1980′s that are loved by many Wizards/Bullets fans are:
Jeff Malone, Charles Jones, & Ledell Eackles
Can’t wait for the draft!
Dave Bing, Jeff Malone, Manute Bol, Moses Malone, Bernard King, Mitch Kupchak, although I suppose that might present a conflict of interest, and Gene Shue. I’ll kick myself about two seconds after clicking on “Submit” for someone I forgot.
Moses Malone, Jeff Malone, Jeff Ruland, Rick Mahorn, Gus Williams, Frank Johnson, Michael Adams, Ledell Eackles, Harvey Grant, Mitchell Butler, Tom Gugliotta, Chris Whitney,
Those are just a few off the top of my head.
Kevin Porter and Mike Riordan back from the 70s heyday. Riordan had a restaurant in Annapolis for ages; no idea if it is still there. Kevin Porter even has a wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Porter
Mr. Leonsis,
Thanks for hosting and ATTENDING the meeting last night. I was encouraged by your candor and willingness to listen to the fans in a non defensive way. You gave me the feeling that you really care about the fan experience, which is so important especially since the cost of attendence is high. In turn, i’m excited and you have renewed my hope in the Wizards!
Best regards,
Patrick Brennan