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In light of LeBron James' comments to NBATV's Steve Smith that he'll be one of the four best players of all time when his career is done, our team sites are opening up the floor to figure out who belongs on their specific franchise's Mount Rushmore.
Let's run down the Wizards/Bullets candidates:
WES UNSELD: Greatest winner this franchise has ever seen. The anchor of the team's glory years and the only MVP in franchise history. He embodies all the things great players should, showing toughness, leadership, selflessness and so much more. He also was a coach and GM, though he was far less successful at those endeavors.
ELVIN HAYES: The best scorer on the best series of teams in franchise history. Despite some poor performances in big games, he was still one of the greatest post players of all time. Acquiring him in 1972 helped prolong over a half decade of contention.
BOBBY DANDRIDGE: The missing piece in the 1978 title team. He provided leadership, championship experience and stifling defense on top perimeter options.
EARL MONROE: The most creative scorer this franchise has seen. Helped lead the Bullets to the 1971 Finals, though they were swept by Milwaukee. The controversial trade to the Knicks is a bit of a black mark, though.
GUS JOHNSON: The franchise's first star in the 60s, predating Unseld, Monroe and others. One of the game's best leapers and a terror on the glass.
WALT BELLAMY: Johnson's running mate for a few years.
PHIL CHENIER: While he was initially known most for being the smooth off guard for so many great Bullets teams in the 70s, younger fans (like me) probably know him best for being the longtime color commentator on Comcast SportsNet.
DICK MOTTA: The coach of the 78 title team.
JEFF MALONE: The team's consistent threat on the wing for many years, forced to toil in anonymity for mediocre teams.
CHRIS WEBBER: Along with Juwan Howard, he breathed new life into the franchise. But things didn't exactly end so well.
GILBERT ARENAS: Obviously, his time in D.C. ended very poorly, but for years, he helped make the franchise relevant again as one of the league's most dangerous scorers.
ANTAWN JAMISON AND CARON BUTLER: The much saner sidekicks to Arenas.
MICHAEL JORDAN: Nope.
JOHN WALL: Too soon, probably.
ABE POLLIN: The legendary Pollin was always more of a great humanitarian than sports owner. Still, he built Verizon Center largely with his own money. The new arena helped revitalize Chinatown, and it's now one of the hotter spots in the city. Throw in the countless charity work he did, and he was a man worth admiring.
JAVALE MCGEE AND NICK YOUNG: For this.
GHEORGHE MURESAN: No explanation needed.
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So ... who would be on your Wizards Mount Rushmore?