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NBA: Who is the best duo from each franchise’s history

By Christopher Jeter

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 6: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is seen talking to Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 1997 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best duo from Washington Wizards: Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld

In terms of futility, the Washington Wizards should thank franchises like the Kings, Knicks, and Clippers for existing, as those teams have effectively provided a cushion that has kept Washington from being the NBA’s resident punchline, though that hasn’t been for a lack of trying on the Wizards’ part.

The Wizards are the sort of team that enters a draft without a general manager and it’s seen as an improvement over the last guy who had the job. This is a team that hasn’t won more than 50 games since gas cost less than a dollar. Since then, no one — not Gilbert Arenas, Moses Malone, Chris Webber, Bernard King, John Wall, not even Michael Jordan — has changed that.

Unlike all of those talented players, there was one duo that led the Wizards, know as the Bullets then, to a championship: big men Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes (.137 combined WS/48). Between Unseld — who is one of only two players to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season — and Hayes, the Bullets sat either near or at the top of the defensive rating rankings during their nine-year run in Washington.

Neither man enthralled audiences with their offense — though Hayes did average 21.3 points per game as a Bullet — but they basically owned the boards (a combined 26.7 rpg) and forged an impenetrable wall under the rim despite both being a bit undersized.

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With those two keeping the scores low enough for the often-mediocre Bullets offense to keep up, the Wizards made the playoffs every season between 1972-73 and 1979-80, culminating in a championship win over the Seattle SuperSonics.