Sid Wetherall

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Lore & Background

Sid Wetherall joined Brighton & Hove Albion in the early 1920s, a period when the club was establishing itself in the Football League. Known for his tireless work rate and sharp finishing, Wetherall became a reliable goal scorer for the Seagulls. He played a vital role in several memorable matches, helping Brighton secure crucial points in the Third Division South. His commitment on the pitch and connection with the supporters cemented his place in the club's early history, even as the team faced the challenges of building a competitive squad in those formative years.

In Their Own Story

In the 1979 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Moncrief fifth overall, despite Jerry West wanting the Los Angeles Lakers to draft him first overall over Magic Johnson. Though his debut season was overshadowed by fellow rookies Johnson and Larry Bird, Moncrief helped lead an 11-win turnaround for the Bucks, who returned to the playoffs and lost in seven games to the Seattle SuperSonics in the Western Conference semi-finals. On February 24, 1983, Moncrief scored a career-high 42 points, recorded 8 assists, and grabbed 8 rebounds in a 114–103 victory against the Houston Rockets. That postseason, Moncrief led the Bucks to a sweep of Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics in the second round, averaging 23.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, and being on the dunking end of an alley-oop pass from Brian Winters to help put away the Game 4 win. On March 15, 1986, Moncrief played 48 minutes, the entire game, and scored 27 points along with recording a career-high 12 assists in a 125–116 regular season victory against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. During the 1987 NBA Playoffs, on May 15, 1987, Moncrief scored a playoff career high of 34 points in a Game 6 win against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, primarily guarded by fellow defensive-great Dennis Johnson. The Bucks would lose the series in 7 games. On May 24, it was announced Moncrief and teammates Jack Sikma, Randy Breuer, Paul Mokeski, Terry Cummings, and Jerry Reynolds would each be fined between $1,000 and $500 for their roles in an altercation in the game. Danny Ainge and Greg Kite of the Celtics were also fined.

Reader's Guide

Moncrief was known for his versatility on the court, particularly given his 6′4″ stature, but was most known for his tenacious defensive plays. He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 1982–83 and 1983–84 seasons. He also made the All-Star team for five consecutive years and was named to the All-NBA first team for the 1982–83 season. Moncrief averaged over 20 points per game in four seasons of his career and finished his 11-season NBA career with an average of 15.6 PPG. As of 2024, Moncrief still holds the Bucks record for career offensive rating (119.7). His career was hampered by a degenerative knee condition that affected the cartilage in both of his knees. Starting in 1986, he also frequently missed time due to a reoccurring foot injury. Among Moncrief's admirers was All-Star Michael Jordan who once described his on-court intensity to an L.A. Times reporter: "When you play against Moncrief, you're in for a night of all-around basketball. He'll hound you everywhere you go, both ends of the court. You just expect it." Another all-time great, Larry Bird, heralded Moncrief's ability to defend anyone, and said that "Moncrief does everything you're supposed to do on defense and doesn't take any shortcuts, plus he does it every night."

Did You Know?

• Sid Wetherall played for Brighton & Hove Albion during the 1920s, a foundational era for the club in the Football League.
• He was known for his relentless energy and goal-scoring instincts, making him a key player in the team's attack.
• Wetherall's contributions helped Brighton secure important results in the Third Division South.
• His legacy is remembered by historians as part of the club's early growth and development.