What’s in a name? Right this moment’s Washington Wizards have performed because the Chicago Packers, the Chicago Zephyrs, the Baltimore Bullets, the Capital Bullets, and the Washington Bullets. Curiously, nevertheless, the staff’s name change didn’t embody a change within the metropolis that it represented. Right this moment’s Washington Wizards are the identical staff because the Washington Bullets 해외농구중계.
In 1996, the proprietor of the Washington Bullets, Abe Polan, selected to vary the name of the NBA’s Washington staff. That was because of the rising number of homicides within the metropolis, which started within the early Nineteen Nineties. The Bullets feared that the name “Bullets” inspired gun violence. Curiously, the murder fee peaked in 2006. Nonetheless, the franchise would finally select “Wizards” over different finalists, together with Dragons and Stallions.
The Washington Wizards performed their first game with a brand new name, in new jerseys and shorts, and in a brand new area (MCI Heart) on December 2, 1997. It was a magical evening for the Wizards, as they defeated the Seattle Supersonics 95-78. Whereas the Wizards accomplished the common season with a 42-40 document, they missed qualifying for the playoffs, by a single game.
Albeit the Washington Wizards have made 4 consecutive playoff appearances from 2005-2008, the staff achieved its best success within the Seventies, because the Washington Bullets. Throughout that decade, the Bullets received six division crowns, and appeared in 4 NBA Finals. Actually, the Bullets earned a spot within the NBA Finals, in every year that they superior to the Japanese Convention Finals (1971, 1975, 1978, 1979).
Unquestionably, the Washington Bullets’ 1977-1978 season was significantly memorable. The Bullets completed the season with a 44-38 document, and barely snuck into the NBA playoffs. They grounded the Atlanta Hawks (2-0), shocked the San Antonio Spurs (4-2), after which vanquished the Philadelphia 76ers (4-2). The Spurs collection was significantly fascinating. In Game 6, the Spurs’ participant Mike Gale needed to put on an inside-out Bullets jersey, after he had misplaced his uniform.
The Bullets would face the Seattle Supersonics within the NBA Finals. Washington battled again thrice to tie the collection. In Game 7, the Supersonics was an enormous favourite over the Bullets. Nonetheless, the Bullets performed strong team-basketball, and earned their first NBA Finals, with a 101-94 victory.
All through their historical past, the Washington Bullets/Wizards have retired 4 gamers’ jersey numbers:
o Elvin Hayes – #11 (Ahead): 1972/1973-1980/1981
Twice NBA rebounding champion (1970, 1974); and 12 NBA All-Star games
o Gus Johnson – #25 (Ahead): 1963/1964-1971/1972
5 NBA All-Star games and 4 All-NBA Second Groups with Bullets
o Earl “The Pearl” Monroe – #10 (Guard): 1967/1968-1971/1972
Well-known for fashionable dribbling and passing; NBA Rookie of the 12 months
o Wes Unseld – #41 (Heart): 1968/1969-1980/1981
NBA Rookie of the 12 months and MVP (1969); Basketball Corridor of Fame (1988)
What’s in a name? Though the Washington Bullets are actually the Washington Wizards, the staff shares a historical past and a convention of excellence. Use Washington Wizards merchandise to cheer on the staff because it tries to make magic within the NBA Finals once more.
