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History of the Chicago Zephyrs
The Chicago Zephyrs were the second incarnation of the NBA franchise that is now known as the Washington Wizards. The team played for only one season under the Zephyrs name during the 1962–63 NBA season, following its inaugural year as the Chicago Packers. Although the franchise remained in Chicago for just one additional season before relocating to Baltimore, the Zephyrs featured one of the NBA's brightest young stars in Walt Bellamy and helped lay the foundation for a franchise that would later win the 1978 NBA Championship as the Washington Bullets.
From the Packers to the Zephyrs
The franchise entered the NBA as the Chicago Packers during the 1961–62 season. After finishing with the league's worst record and struggling to attract fans, ownership decided the Packers nickname lacked appeal.
Before the 1962–63 season, the organization adopted the name Chicago Zephyrs, inspired by the famous Zephyr passenger trains that served Chicago. The club hoped the new identity would generate greater public interest while keeping professional basketball in one of America's largest cities.
Walt Bellamy Leads the Team
The Zephyrs were built around center Walt Bellamy, who had won the 1962 NBA Rookie of the Year Award during the franchise's previous season as the Packers.
Bellamy continued to establish himself among the NBA's elite players by averaging more than 27 points and 16 rebounds per game. His scoring, rebounding, and durability made him one of the league's premier centers despite the team's inconsistent performance.
The roster also featured talented players such as:
- Terry Dischinger
- Bill Bridges
- Larry Staverman
- Barney Cable
Rookie forward Terry Dischinger made an immediate impact, averaging over 25 points per game and earning the 1963 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
A Winning Season
Unlike the expansion Packers, the Zephyrs posted a winning record, finishing the 1962–63 season at 49–31.
The team qualified for the NBA Playoffs but lost to the Cincinnati Royals in the Western Division Finals.
Despite the improved performance, attendance remained disappointing, and ownership concluded that Chicago could not support the franchise.
Relocation to Baltimore
Following the 1962–63 season, the franchise relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, becoming the Baltimore Bullets.
The move proved successful, as the Bullets became one of the NBA's premier franchises during the late 1960s and early 1970s behind stars such as Wes Unseld, Earl Monroe, and Elvin Hayes.
The organization later moved to the Washington metropolitan area in 1973, first becoming the Capital Bullets, then the Washington Bullets, and finally the Washington Wizards in 1997.
Home Arena
| Years |
Arena |
| 1962–1963 |
International Amphitheatre (Chicago, Illinois) |
Season Results
| Season |
Record |
Result |
| 1962–63 |
49–31 |
Lost Western Division Finals |
Franchise Timeline
| Year |
Event |
| 1961 |
Franchise begins play as the Chicago Packers. |
| 1962 |
Renamed the Chicago Zephyrs. |
| 1962 |
Walt Bellamy wins NBA Rookie of the Year. |
| 1963 |
Terry Dischinger wins NBA Rookie of the Year. |
| 1963 |
Team relocates to Baltimore as the Baltimore Bullets. |
Notable Players
- Walt Bellamy
- Terry Dischinger
- Bill Bridges
- Larry Staverman
- Barney Cable
Head Coaches
- Jim Pollard
- Sid Pollack (interim)
Awards and Achievements
- 49–31 record during the 1962–63 season.
- Western Division playoff appearance.
- Walt Bellamy – 1962 NBA Rookie of the Year.
- Terry Dischinger – 1963 NBA Rookie of the Year.
- Second chapter of the franchise that became today's Washington Wizards.
Legacy
Although the Chicago Zephyrs existed for only one season, the team represented an important step in the evolution of one of the NBA's oldest franchises. The Zephyrs demonstrated that the organization could compete on the court, posting a winning record while featuring two future Hall of Fame-caliber players in Walt Bellamy and Terry Dischinger.
The franchise's relocation to Baltimore after the 1962–63 season marked the beginning of its most successful era, eventually leading to the 1978 NBA Championship as the Washington Bullets. Today, the Chicago Zephyrs remain a unique and memorable chapter in NBA history.
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