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 History of the Chicago Packers
The Chicago Packers were an NBA expansion franchise that played for just one season, 1961–62, but their brief existence marked the beginning of a franchise that continues today as the Washington Wizards. Although the Packers struggled on the court and at the box office, they introduced a new era of professional basketball to Chicago following the departure of the original Chicago Stags more than a decade earlier. After one season, the team was renamed the Chicago Zephyrs, beginning a series of relocations and name changes that eventually led to the franchise's move to Baltimore and later Washington, D.C.
NBA Expansion Returns to Chicago
The NBA awarded Chicago an expansion franchise in 1961, hoping to reestablish a presence in one of the nation's largest sports markets after the Chicago Stags folded in 1950.
The ownership group chose the nickname Packers, a reference to Chicago's historic meatpacking industry, which had long been one of the city's defining businesses.
The Packers played their home games at the International Amphitheatre on Chicago's South Side.
An Inaugural Season
The Packers struggled during their lone season, finishing with an 18–62 record, the worst mark in the NBA during the 1961–62 season.
Despite the team's poor record, several players delivered impressive individual performances.
The biggest star was rookie center Walt Bellamy, selected with the first overall pick in the 1961 NBA Draft.
Walt Bellamy's Historic Rookie Season
Bellamy immediately established himself as one of the NBA's elite centers.
He averaged 31.6 points and 19.0 rebounds per game during his rookie season—one of the greatest rookie campaigns in league history.
Bellamy was named the 1962 NBA Rookie of the Year, giving the expansion franchise its first major individual honor.
His outstanding play earned him a place among the NBA's brightest young stars despite the team's struggles.
Coaching and Leadership
The Packers were coached by Jim Pollard, a Hall of Fame player during the Minneapolis Lakers dynasty.
Pollard attempted to build a competitive team around Bellamy while developing young talent, but the expansion roster lacked the depth needed to compete consistently against established NBA teams.
Becoming the Chicago Zephyrs
Poor attendance and limited fan support convinced ownership that the Packers name lacked appeal.
Following the 1961–62 season, the franchise adopted a new identity, becoming the Chicago Zephyrs.
Although the team improved during the 1962–63 season, attendance remained disappointing.
After only one season as the Zephyrs, the franchise relocated to Baltimore in 1963, becoming the Baltimore Bullets.
Franchise Legacy
While the Chicago Packers existed for only a single NBA season, they represent the beginning of one of the league's oldest continuously operating franchises.
The organization would eventually become:
- Chicago Packers (1961–62)
- Chicago Zephyrs (1962–63)
- Baltimore Bullets (1963–73)
- Capital Bullets (1973–74)
- Washington Bullets (1974–97)
- Washington Wizards (1997–Present)
Home Arena
| Years |
Arena |
| 1961–1962 |
International Amphitheatre (Chicago, Illinois) |
Season Results
| Season |
Record |
Finish |
| 1961–62 |
18–62 |
Last in Western Division |
Franchise Timeline
| Year |
Event |
| 1961 | NBA awards Chicago an expansion franchise. |
| 1961 | Walt Bellamy selected first overall in the NBA Draft. |
| 1962 | Walt Bellamy wins NBA Rookie of the Year. |
| 1962 | Franchise renamed the Chicago Zephyrs. |
| 1963 | Team relocates to Baltimore as the Baltimore Bullets. |
Notable Players
- Walt Bellamy
- Barney Cable
- Larry Staverman
- Bill Bridges
- Ralph Davis
Head Coach
Awards and Achievements
- NBA expansion franchise (1961).
- Walt Bellamy – 1962 NBA Rookie of the Year.
- Featured one of the greatest rookie seasons in NBA history.
- Beginning of the franchise that became today's Washington Wizards.
Legacy
Although the Chicago Packers lasted only one season, they occupy an important place in NBA history. The franchise launched the organization that would eventually become the Washington Wizards and introduced Hall of Fame center Walt Bellamy to the league. Bellamy's remarkable rookie season remains one of the greatest ever by an NBA newcomer and provided the lone bright spot during the Packers' difficult inaugural campaign.
While the Packers name quickly disappeared, the franchise endured through multiple relocations and identity changes, eventually winning the 1978 NBA Championship as the Washington Bullets. Today, the Chicago Packers remain a fascinating chapter in the history of one of the NBA's longest-running franchises.
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