Wes Unseld

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Just to clear the air on some noise in the system today.

When I finished the acquisition of Washington Sports and Entertainment, the first person I sought advice from was Wes Unseld. We went and had a nice long productive lunch at a local dining establishment.

The message was sent and received.

“Wes, you are beloved and respected by everyone in our organization and in our city. I believe you are one of the most important sports figures in our city’s history and it would be an honor to work with you on an ongoing basis.

I would like the opportunity to seek advice and counsel from you. I intend to pay respect and homage to the past while trying to find my own positive way into the future.

I would like to embrace you as a founding family member. I need help and you are wise and experienced and don’t be shy. Talk to me when you see things we are doing – or that I am doing -that don’t make any sense. I will always hear what you have to say. I respect your instincts and your words of wisdom.

And I want to make sure you are apart of the Wizards family – always.

You have carte blanche in the building and at games. Come to as many games as you so desire. Come to practices. Park wherever you want. Your seats are available for life. If there is anything that you ever need, call me or anyone at the Wizards organization. The Owners’ Box is open to you and to your family. Our house is your house.

Thank you for all you do and have done for the city, the franchise and for the NBA. I was and will always be a big fan and grateful for what you have done for the franchise.”

I don’t know how to be any clearer than that. End of story. Stop the noise and focus on the signal. Thank you.

7 thoughts on “Wes Unseld”

  1. I assumed it was some crap reporting. Just wanted to make sure Ted. Read it on hoopshype.com/rumors which tends to well.. have rumors just wanted to make sure it wasn’t true!

  2. The cardinal rule of journalistic integrity is to confirm any source material with at least two independent and usually credible sources. Clearly that was not done here. If I wanted tabloid reporting I would read tabloids. I expect more from a beat writer in his 44th year.

  4. DEAR MR.TED LEONSIS WHY CAN’T THE WIZARDS SCORE IN THE PINT MORE THAN THEY SHOOT JUMPERS? 2. WHY IS IT THAT THE WIZARDS DO NOT HAVE A KILLER INSTINCT. 3.WHY IS THAT THE WIZARDS ARE SO CARELESS IN PASSING THE BALL TO ONE ANOTHER? FLIP TRIES TO TEACH THESE BASKETBALL STARS TO THE BEST OF HIS KNOW HOW BUT THEY REFUSE TO FOLLOW GAME IN AND GAME OUT. THEY LOSE GAMES THAT THEY CAN AND SHOULD WIN. 4. THEY GIVE UP TO EASY ON THE ROAD. THE WIZARDS NEED A CENTER BAD! ALL THE GOOD THINGS THE WIZARDS DO THEY ALL WAYS FIND A WAY TO LOSE GAMES THEY SHOULD WIN. YOU SHOULD TRADE BLATCHE,AL THORNTON,HILTON ARMSTRONG, TREVOR BOOKER MAKE A DEAL BEFORE THE TRADE DEADLINE. WE NEED HELP BEFORE THIS SEASON ENDS. NO ENERGY TO CLOSE GAMES ONE MAN ON THE SIXERS TEAM OUT SCORED THE WIZARDS WHOLE TEAM. MR.TED IS THIS WHAT YOU ARE BUILDING FOR WASHINGTON OR WILL YOU MAKE SOME CHANGES THIS YEAR. TOO MANY EXCUSES,NO EFFORT. THE WIZARDS JUST LIKE TO PARTY AND GET GIRLS WHILE OTHER NBA TEAMS GET BETTER. WIZARDS ARE NOT COMMITTED TO THE TEAM. I WILL NOT BUY ANY MORE TICKETS UNTIL THIS TEAM PLAY EVER NIGHT WITH EFFORT AND COMMITMENT. THE COACH IS DOING HIS PART WITH THE GAME PLAN. THE PLAYERS FAIL TO GET BETTER AS A TEAM. WHEN YOU LOSE BUY 1-4 POINTS IT’S THE COACHES FAULT. WHEN YOU LOSE BY 5-10 POINTS IT’S THE PLAYER’S FAULT….. I LOVE THE WIZARDS. THIS IS EMBARRASSING!!

  5. Mr. L,
    You are awesome! Thanks for continuing to elevate sports and individuals in our fair city.
    Peace,
    Erin G. Kirk

  6. I am still reeling from watching Wes Unseld trade away Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, and Chris Webber in a 2 year period. Those guys could have formed a championship level core for a decade.

    Regardless, it is a great move to treat everyone formerly and currently important to the team extremely well. I believe that Arenas was, to an extent, thrown under the bus by the previous Wizards administration; I think the situation could have played out better if the organization would have been more loyal to him. Players around the league appreciate loyalty. They are given many things in this life, but loyalty is not typically one of them.

    If Wes had shown loyalty to Chris, Ben, and Rasheed, instead of trading them away after a couple of minor indiscretions, the history of the Wizards would read quite differently.

    I hope your organization keeps this in mind when dealing with Andrey Blatche.