Established
1961
City
Chicago – Baltimore – Washington D.C.
League History
1961 – Present / National Basketball Association
Team History
1997 – Present / Washington Wizards
1974 – 1997 / Washington Bullets
1973 – 1974 / Capital Bullets
1963 – 1973 / Baltimore Bullets
1962 – 1963 / Chicago Zephyrs
1961 – 1962 / Chicago Packers
Nickname
Bullets – The Washington Bullets are a professional basketball team based in the nation’s capital, and they have been playing since the 1974-75 season. The team has undergone several name changes over its history, but one thing that has stayed constant is its nickname – “Bullets.” But where did this unique moniker come from?
Washington Bullets Origin
The story behind their nickname dates back to when the franchise was first established as part of the NBA's expansion into Baltimore in 1963. At that time, owner Abe Pollin wanted to give his new team an edgier name than most other teams had at that point; he chose "Bullets" because it was inspired by a popular song called “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” by Cher which he heard on his car radio while driving home from work one day.
As for why Pollin decided against changing it after relocating to Washington D.C., there are two theories: either out of respect for tradition or due to potential licensing issues with another area sports franchise that also used bullets as its logo (the NFL's Baltimore Colts). Regardless of what motivated him not to change it then, many fans today still consider themselves proud members of #DCBULLETSNation!
Championship
NBA Championships 1
1978
Arena
2018 - Present / Capital One Arena
2007 – 2017 / Verizon Center
1997 – 2006 / MCI Center
1994 – 1997 / US Airways Arena
1973 – 1993 / Capital Centre
*Baltimore*
1963 – 1973 / Baltimore Civic Center
*Chicago*
1962 – 1963 / Chicago Coliseum
1961 – 1962 / International Amphitheatre
Owner
2010 – Present / Ted Leonsis
2009 – 2010 / Estate of Abe Pollin and Ted Leonsis
1999 – 2009 / Abe Pollin and Ted Leonsis
1964 – 1999 / Abe Pollin
1961 – 1964 / David Trager
- 1974
- 1978
-
New Name Washington Bullets
After the 1973–74 season, the Capital Bullets changed their name to the Washington Bullets. The 60–22 Bullets made it back to the 1975 NBA Playoffs. That year, Washington posted a 36–5 home record at the Capital Centre. In the first round of the playoffs, they survived a seven–game series against the Buffalo Braves as both teams won all of their ... -
NBA Finals Winner 1978
NBA Finals – 1978 The 1978 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1977–78 National Basketball Association (NBA) season. The series featured the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics against the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets. The Bullets defeated the SuperSonics in seven games to win the NBA championship. Bullets power forward/center Wes Unseld was named MVP of ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Washington Bullets History
The Washington Bullets history began long before the name became iconic in the nation’s capital. Originally founded as the Chicago Packers in 1961, the franchise became the Chicago Zephyrs in 1962 before relocating to Maryland as the Baltimore Bullets in 1963. After a decade in Baltimore, the team briefly rebranded as the Capital Bullets in 1973 before settling at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, where they adopted the name Washington Bullets during the 1974 season. This evolution positioned the team as a mainstay in professional basketball and built the foundation for modern Washington Bullets basketball.
Throughout the 1970s, the Washington Bullets history was defined by steady improvement, marquee players, and growing fan support. The arrival of stars like Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes helped transform the team into one of the NBA’s most competitive franchises. Known for a rugged defense and fast-break style, the Bullets gained a reputation for thrilling games and consistent playoff appearances, creating an exciting era for Washington Bullets basketball.
Bullets Achievements
The team achieved its greatest success in the late 1970s. Under coach Dick Motta, the Washington Bullets history reached a high point by capturing the 1977–78 NBA Championship—the only title in franchise history—after defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in a seven-game Finals series. They followed up with another NBA Finals appearance in 1978–79, again facing the SuperSonics, but fell short in a hard-fought rematch. This period cemented the team’s reputation as one of the league’s elite and marked the pinnacle of Washington Bullets basketball.
Even after the championship era, the Washington Bullets history featured standout players such as Jeff Malone, Bernard King, Chris Webber, and Juwan Howard, who provided memorable seasons and playoff pushes in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1997 the franchise ended its run as the Bullets and was renamed the Washington Wizards in 1998 to begin a new chapter. Despite the name change, the legacy of Washington Bullets basketball continues to influence the organization and remains a celebrated part of NBA history.
Sports Fan Products
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Retired Number
10 / Earl “The Pearl” Monroe
11 / Elvin Hayes
25 / Gus Johnson
41 / Wes Unseld
45 / Phil Chenier
*Blue is this team’s history
