|
> NBA History > Wizards History >
History of the Capital Bullets
The Capital Bullets existed for just one season, but they represented an important transition in the history of one of the NBA's oldest franchises. During the 1973–74 season, the franchise relocated from Baltimore, Maryland, to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and adopted the name "Capital Bullets." Although the nickname lasted only one year, it marked the beginning of professional basketball in the nation's capital and laid the foundation for the successful Washington Bullets teams of the late 1970s that eventually won the 1978 NBA Championship.
Moving from Baltimore to Washington
The franchise originally entered the NBA in 1961 as the Chicago Packers, became the Chicago Zephyrs in 1962, and relocated to Baltimore in 1963 as the Baltimore Bullets.
After ten seasons in Baltimore, owner Abe Pollin decided to move the franchise closer to Washington, D.C., where he had built the brand-new Capital Centre arena in Landover, Maryland.
To reflect its new home, the team adopted the name Capital Bullets for the 1973–74 NBA season. The nickname referred to the nation's capital rather than the District of Columbia itself, allowing the franchise to represent the entire metropolitan region.
The 1973–74 Season
The Capital Bullets quickly proved to be a competitive team under head coach K.C. Jones. Led by an experienced roster, Washington finished with a 47–35 record and won the Central Division championship.
The team's core included several outstanding players:
- Elvin Hayes
- Wes Unseld
- Phil Chenier
- Kevin Porter
- Nick Weatherspoon
Elvin Hayes continued to rank among the NBA's top scorers and rebounders, while Wes Unseld provided elite rebounding, defense, leadership, and outlet passing.
Playoff Appearance
The Capital Bullets qualified for the 1974 NBA Playoffs, where they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round before losing to the powerful New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Although the season ended short of a championship, the franchise demonstrated that it had assembled one of the league's strongest frontcourts and was capable of competing with the NBA's elite teams.
Becoming the Washington Bullets
Following the 1973–74 season, the organization shortened its name to the Washington Bullets. The change better identified the franchise with its home city while maintaining continuity with the Bullets identity that had existed since the Baltimore years.
The name change proved successful, and just four years later the Washington Bullets captured the 1978 NBA Championship behind the leadership of Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, Bob Dandridge, and head coach Dick Motta.
Home Arena
| Season |
Arena |
| 1973–74 |
Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland |
Season Summary
| Season |
Record |
Result |
| 1973–74 |
47–35 |
Won Central Division; Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals |
Franchise Timeline
| Year |
Event |
| 1961 |
Founded as the Chicago Packers. |
| 1962 |
Renamed the Chicago Zephyrs. |
| 1963 |
Relocated to Baltimore as the Baltimore Bullets. |
| 1973 |
Moved to the Washington area and became the Capital Bullets. |
| 1974 |
Renamed the Washington Bullets. |
| 1978 |
Franchise won its first NBA Championship. |
Key Players
- Elvin Hayes
- Wes Unseld
- Phil Chenier
- Kevin Porter
- Nick Weatherspoon
Head Coach
Legacy
Although the Capital Bullets name lasted for only one NBA season, it represented a significant turning point in franchise history. The move from Baltimore to the Washington metropolitan area positioned the organization in a larger market and gave it a modern home in the Capital Centre. The strong foundation established during the 1973–74 season paved the way for the Washington Bullets' success later in the decade, culminating in the franchise's first and only NBA championship in 1978.
Today, the Capital Bullets remain a fascinating footnote in NBA history—a one-year identity that bridged the successful Baltimore Bullets era with the championship-winning Washington Bullets teams that followed.
| 