- 1974
- 1978
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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 ...
History of the Bullets
The Washington Bullets were a professional basketball team based in the nation's capital, Washington D.C. that played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1973 to 1997. The franchise was founded as the Chicago Zephyrs before relocating to Baltimore and becoming known as the Baltimore Bullets for their first season in 1963-64. After four seasons of playing out of Maryland, they moved again. They became known as the Capital Bullets when they relocated to Landover, Maryland, for two seasons before settling into their final home at Capital Centre near Largo, MD, where they would be renamed once more—the Washington Bullets—before beginning play during 1973–74 NBA season.
Though never able to win an NBA championship title under this name or any other previous incarnation of its franchise history, it did have some success throughout its time, with several division titles won along with one conference championship achieved during 1975–76, which saw them make it all way through Eastern Conference Finals only lose out on their chance at a title after being defeated by eventual champions Boston Celtics 4 games 2 series loss. During the 1978-79 campaign led by Elvin Hayes, who averaged 20 points per game alongside Wes Unseld’s 11 rebounds & 10 assists per game, the team made another deep run into playoffs but ultimately lost out on a finals berth against Seattle Supersonics' 4 games 3 series loss.
Despite the lack of championships, the Washington Bullets significantly impacted the league because various players such as Jeff Malone, Bernard King & Juwan Howard have produced strong performances over the years, giving fans plenty of moments to cheer. The franchise later changed its name to Wizards 1998. However, its legacy remains within the current organization, making them one of the most beloved teams ever to play the sport, even if no rings show it.
Bullets Products
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?
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
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.
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
