For current information on this topic, see 2007-08 Washington Wizards season

Washington Wizards
Conference	Eastern Conference
Division	Southeast Division
Founded	1961
History	Chicago Packers 1961-1962 Chicago Zephyrs 1962-1963 Baltimore Bullets 1963-1972 Capital Bullets 1973-1974 Washington Bullets 1974-1997 Washington Wizards 1997-present
Arena	Verizon Center aka "The Phone Booth"
City	Washington, D.C.
Team colors	blue, black, gold
Owner	Raul J. Fernandez Abe Pollin
General manager	Ernie Grunfeld
Head coach	Eddie Jordan
D-League affiliate	Dakota Wizards
Championships	1 (1978)
Conference titles	4 (1971, 1975, 1978, 1979)
Division titles	7 (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979)
Official website	washingtonwizards.com

The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C.. The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams and organized in three divisions of five teams each The Southeast Division is a division in the Eastern Conference of the NBA. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center until March 5, 2006) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington D Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Raul J Fernandez is an American Entreprenuer. He is currently Chairman and CEO of ObjectVideo co-owner of the NHL Washington Abe Pollin (born December 3, 1923 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is the current owner of the NBA 's Washington Ernest (Ernie Grunfeld (born April 24 1955) is an American former professional Basketball player Edward Montgomery "Eddie" Jordan (born January 29 1955 in Washington D The NBA Development League, or D-League, is the National Basketball Association 's officially sponsored and operated developmental Basketball organization The Dakota Wizards are an American Basketball team in the NBA Development League, and the current defending champions Series Summary Game 1 The Bullets behind Kevin Grevey 's 27 and Elvin Hayes 's 21 points held a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter at the Seattle Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Franchise history

Early years

The team now known as the Wizards began play as the Chicago Packers in the 1961-62 season. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The 1961–62 NBA season was the 16th season of the National Basketball Association. The next season, they changed their name to the Zephyrs. In 1963 the franchise moved to Baltimore, Maryland and became the Baltimore Bullets (no relation to the 1940s-50s Bullets franchise). Franchise History Baltimore Bullets (NBA 1950-1954 - 1 Playoff Appearance Baltimore Bullets (BAA 1948-1949 - 1 Championship and 2 Playoff Appearances In their first year in Baltimore, the Bullets finished 4th in a 5-team Western Division.

Prior to the 1964-65 NBA season the Bullets pulled off a blockbuster trade, sending Terry Dischinger, Rod Thorn and Don Kojis to the Detroit Pistons for Bailey Howell, Don Ohl, Bob Ferry and Wali Jones. The 1964–65 NBA Season was the 19th season of the National Basketball Association. Terry Gilbert Dischinger (born November 14 1940 in Terre Haute Indiana) is a retired American Basketball player in the NBA. Rodney King "Rod" Thorn (born May 23, 1941, in Princeton West Virginia) is the president and general manager of the NBA 's New Donald R Kojis (born July 15, 1939 in Milwaukee Wisconsin) was a professional Basketball player who attended Marquette University The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area See also List of college men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds Bailey E Donald Jay Ohl (born April 18, 1936 in Murphysboro Illinois) is an American former professional Basketball player who spent 10 seasons Robert Dean Ferry (born May 31, 1937 in St Louis Missouri) is a retired American Basketball player and executive Walter "Wali" Jones (born February 14 1942, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a retired American professional Basketball The trade worked out well; Howell proved to be a hustling, fundamentally sound player who helped the Bullets get into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In the 1965 NBA Playoffs, the Bullets stunned the St. Louis Hawks 3-1, and advanced to the Western Conference Finals. The 1965 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association 's 1964-1965 season. The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional Basketball team based in Atlanta Georgia. In the finals, Baltimore managed to split the first four games with the Los Angeles Lakers before losing the series 4-2. The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California.

The late 1960s and 1970s

early Baltimore Bullets logo

In the late 1960s, the Bullets drafted two future Hall of Famers,: Earl Monroe, 1967 draft, #2 overall and Wes Unseld, 1968 draft, #2 overall. Vernon Earl Monroe (born on November 21 1944 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American former professional Basketball player known for his flamboyant Dribbling Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player The team improved dramatically, from 36 wins the previous season to 57 in the 1968-69 season, and Unseld received both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards. The 1968–69 NBA season was the 23rd season of the National Basketball Association. The Bullets reached the playoffs with high expectations to go further, but they were eliminated by the New York Knicks in the first round. The next season the two teams met again in the first round, and although this one went to 7 games, the Knicks emerged victorious again.

In the 1970-71 season, the 42-40 Bullets again met the Knicks, this time though in the Eastern Conference Finals. The 1970–71 NBA season was the 25th season of the National Basketball Association. With the Knicks team captain Willis Reed injured in the finals, the injury-free Bullets took advantage of his absence, and in Game 7 at New York's Madison Square Garden, the Bullets' Gus Johnson made a critical basket late in the game to lift the Bullets over the Knicks 93-91 and advance to their first NBA Finals in franchise history. Willis Reed Jr (born June 25 1942 is a retired American Basketball player Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City. Gus Johnson ( December 13 1938 &ndash April 29 1987) was a professional Basketball player who spent nine seasons with the NBA The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each June They were swept in four games by the powerful Milwaukee Bucks.

Even after Monroe was traded (to the Knicks), the Bullets remained a playoff contender throughout the 1970s. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Following a less than spectacular 1971-72 NBA season, the Bullets improved dramatically by acquiring Elvin Hayes from the Houston Rockets and drafting Kevin Porter. The 1971–72 NBA season was the 26th season of the National Basketball Association. Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17 1945 in Rayville Louisiana) is a retired American Basketball player The Houston Rockets are an American professional Basketball team based in Houston Texas. Kevin Porter (born April 17 1950, in Chicago, Illinois) is a retired American professional Basketball player After a slow start the Bullets began to make their charge in December, posting a 10-4 record on the way to capturing the Central Division title for the 3rd straight year. The Bullets would again face the Knicks in the 1973 NBA Playoffs, losing for the fourth time in five series against New York. The 1973 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association 's 1972-1973 season.

In 1973, the team moved to Landover, Maryland and became the Capital Bullets; they changed their name to the Washington Bullets the following season. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Landover is an area of Prince George's County in the State of Maryland in the United States of America. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D

During November 1973, while waiting for the completion of their new arena in Landover, the Bullets played their home games at Cole Field House on the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. The William P Cole Jr Student Activities Building, more commonly known as Cole Field House, was the home of the University of Maryland basketball teams from The University of Maryland College Park (often referred to as The University of Maryland UMD, UMCP or simply Maryland) is a public research College Park is a city in Prince George's County Maryland, USA. The Capital Centre (later known as the USAir/US Airways Arena) opened on December 2, 1973, with the Bullets defeating the SuperSonics. The Capital Centre (also briefly known as US Airways Arena and USAir Arena) was an indoor arena located in Largo, Landover Maryland US Airways Inc is the fifth largest Airline in the United States. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. The Seattle SuperSonics (also called the Seattle Sonics) were an American professional Basketball team based in Seattle Washington that played Through the mid-1990s, the Bullets still played a few games per season in Baltimore. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999

The 60-22 Bullets made it back to the 1975 NBA Playoffs. The 1975 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association 's 1974-1975 season. That year Washington posted a 36-5 home record at the Capital Centre. In the first round of the playoffs, they survived a 7-game series against the Buffalo Braves as both teams won all of their games at home. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they beat the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics in 6 games to advance to the NBA Finals. The Boston Celtics are an American professional Basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, playing in the Atlantic Division of the The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each June The Bullets were favorites to win the NBA Championship, but were shockingly swept by the Rick Barry-led Golden State Warriors in 4 games. Richard (Rick Francis Dennis Barry III (born March 28 1944 in Elizabeth New Jersey) is a retired American professional Basketball player The Golden State Warriors are an American professional Basketball team based in Oakland, California. They lost game 4 at the Capital Centre.

The loss at the NBA Finals lingered into the 1975-76 NBA season as they won 12 fewer games than last year, and in the playoffs they were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 7 games. The 1975–76 NBA season was the 30th season of the National Basketball Association. The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are a professional Basketball team based in Cleveland Ohio. After the season the Bullets fired head coach K.C. Jones, despite having a career 62% winning percentage as the Bullets head coach.

In the 1976-77 NBA season under new head coach Dick Motta, the Bullets would again fall short of the Central Division title for the second straight year. The 1976–77 NBA season was the 31st season of the National Basketball Association. John Richard "Dick" Motta (born September 3, 1931 in Midvale Utah) is a former Basketball coach whose career in the National Elvin Hayes finished 6th in the league in rebounds with 12. 5 rebounds per game. After opening the 1977 NBA Playoffs with a 3-game series victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Bullets took a 2-1 series lead in the second round of against the Houston Rockets. The 1977 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association 's 1976-1977 season. The Houston Rockets are an American professional Basketball team based in Houston Texas. With a chance to take a 3-1 series lead at home, the Bullets would lose 107-103 as the Rockets went on take the series in 6 games.

The miracle 1977-78 season

Although they had future hall of famers Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld on the team, The Bullets finished the season 44-38 and were a longshot to win the NBA Championship, but coach Dick Motta used the famed phrase "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings". Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17 1945 in Rayville Louisiana) is a retired American Basketball player Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each June John Richard "Dick" Motta (born September 3, 1931 in Midvale Utah) is a former Basketball coach whose career in the National It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings is a Proverb, essentially meaning that one shouldn't assume the outcome of some activity (frequently a Sports game) until it This became the rallying cry for the Bullets as they finished a playoff run that led to the NBA Finals, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in 7 games to bring a professional sports championship to Washington D. The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each June The Seattle SuperSonics (also called the Seattle Sonics) were an American professional Basketball team based in Seattle Washington that played C. for the first time in 36 years.

A tough act to follow

In the 1978-79 NBA season the Bullets moved to the Atlantic Division, capturing the title in their first season there. The 1978–79 NBA season was the 33rd season of the National Basketball Association. They entered the 1979 NBA Playoffs having lost 8 of the final 11 games to finish the regular season at 54-28. The 1979 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association 's 1978-1979 season. In the playoffs the Bullets nearly blew a 3-1 series lead against the Atlanta Hawks, but managed to hold off the Hawks in 7 games. The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional Basketball team based in Atlanta Georgia.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, they trailed the San Antonio Spurs 3-1, but they mounted a comeback by winning 2 straight games to force a Game 7 at the Cap Center. The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional Basketball team based in San Antonio Texas. The Bullets would rally again, overcoming a 4th-quarter deficit to beat George Gervin and the Spurs 107-105 in one of the NBA's all-time greatest games and advance to the NBA Finals and a rematch with the Seattle SuperSonics. George "The Iceman" Gervin (born April 27 1952 in Detroit Michigan) is a retired American professional Basketball player a Shooting guard In Game 1, the Bullets defeated the SuperSonics 99-97 on two game winning free throws but lost the series to the Sonics in five games.

1979-1988

Age and injuries finally caught up with the Bullets. In the 1979-80 NBA season, they barely made the playoffs as they captured the sixth and final playoff spot with a tiebreaker despite posting a 39-43 record. The 1979–80 NBA season was the 34th season of the National Basketball Association. The 1980 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association 's 1979-1980 season. In the playoffs, they were swept by the Philadelphia 76ers in a 2-game playoff series. The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short are a professional Basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The following year the Bullets failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. Wes Unseld retired and Elvin Hayes was traded to the Houston Rockets the following season. The Houston Rockets are an American professional Basketball team based in Houston Texas.

In '81, Washington played strong under the coaching of Gene Shue and Don Moran, finishing the regular season with a 43-39 record, and although they advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals in the playoffs, they had clearly lost their form of the late 70's. Eugene William "Gene" Shue (born December 18 1931 in Baltimore Maryland) is a retired American professional Basketball The Bullets continued to play with the same talent they had in the previous year. They finished with a winning record, but in a highly competitive Atlantic Division they finished last and missed the playoffs.

The next two years saw the Bullets continue to play mediocre basketball as they finished with losing records but they made the playoffs in the new expanded NBA Playoffs format that involved the 16 best teams to make the playoffs; the Bullets were eliminated in both years in the first round. The NBA Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament between sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference (called Divisions

In 1985, the Bullets acquired Manute Bol, whose specialty was blocking shots. Manute Bol (born October 16, 1962) is a Sudanese born Basketball player and Activist. That year, he blocked 397 shots (a Bullets record), part of a team that blocked 716 shots (a Bullets team record). But the Bullets finished with a disappointing 39-43 record, and were eliminated by the 76ers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Bullets acquired center Moses Malone from the Philadelphia 76ers for center Jeff Ruland the following season for hope of improvement. Moses Eugene Malone (born March 23 1955 in Petersburg Virginia) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA Basketball player who The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short are a professional Basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Jeffrey Alan Ruland (born December 16 1958 in Bay Shore New York) is a retired American Basketball player and current coach Moses would lead the team in scoring with a 24. 1 points per game as he would be joined by Jeff Malone who averaged 22. Jeffrey Nigel Malone (born June 28, 1961 in Mobile Alabama) is a retired American professional Basketball player 0 points per game. The Bullets' 42-40 record would be their last winning season until the 1996-97 NBA season. The 1996–97 NBA season was the 51st season of the National Basketball Association. Washington was eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in 3 games in the playoffs. The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area

The Bullets selected Muggsy Bogues twelfth overall in the '87 Draft, who at 5'3" is the smallest player in NBA history. Tyrone Curtis Bogues (born January 9 1965, in Baltimore Maryland) better known as Muggsy Bogues, is a retired American professional The Bullets would get off to a slow start as coach Kevin Loughery was fired 27 games into the season with the Bullets holding an 8-19 record. Kevin Michael Loughery (born March 28, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American former professional Basketball player and coach To replace Loughery, the Bullets hired former MVP Wes Unseld. Under Unseld the Bullets improved as they were able to reach the playoffs again with a record of 38-44. After losing the first 2 games on the road in the first round of the 1988 NBA Playoffs to the Detroit Pistons, the Bullets fought back and forced a 5th game with 2 home wins. The 1988 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association 's 1987-1988 season. They would lose game 5 by 21 points. It would be 9 years before Washington would return to the NBA Playoffs.

1989-1997

The Bullets got off to a 5-1 start in 1989, but hopes of a good season faded quickly as they lost 16 of 18 games from Mid-December to Mid-January. They would finish with a 31-51 record despite stellar seasons by Jeff Malone and Bernard King, who averaged 24. For the 1981 born basketball player see Bernard King (Texas A&M Aggies. 3 and 22. 3 points per game respectively to lead the team.

The lone highlight of the Bullets 30 win 1990-91 season was the successful comeback effort by Bernard King as he recovered from knee surgery he suffered while playing for the Knicks in the 1984-85 NBA season to finish 3rd in the NBA in scoring with a 28. The 1984–85 NBA season was the 39th season of the National Basketball Association. 4 points per game. In 1991, the team would name Susan O'Malley as its president, the first female president of a franchise in the history of the NBA. Susan O'Malley is the former president of the Washington Wizards National Basketball Association team She is the sister of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley and the daughter of former Dodger owner Walter O'Malley. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA This article is about Peter O'Malley the baseball executive for the Australian golfer see Peter O'Malley (golfer Peter O'Malley (born in Walter Francis O'Malley (October 9 1903 &ndash August 9 1979 was an American

Injuries continue to bite the Bullets as key players Rex Chapman and Calbert Cheaney (the club's 1st round draft pick) miss significant stretches, and Pervis Ellison misses almost the entire season. Rex Everett Chapman (born October 5 1967 in Bowling Green, Kentucky) is a retired American professional Basketball player who played for four teams Calbert Nathaniel Cheaney (born July 17 1971 in Evansville Indiana) is a veteran Basketball player in the NBA currently a Pervis Ellison (born April 3, 1967 in Savannah Georgia) is a former college and professional NBA Basketball player The result was a miserable 24-58 record for the 1993-94 season, but help from the Michigan Wolverines was on the way. The Michigan Wolverines comprise 24 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan which compete in the NCAA 's Division I and in the Big Ten

The Bullets selected Juwan Howard in the 1994 NBA Draft and traded Tom Gugliotta along with three first round draft picks to the Golden State Warriors for the rights to Chris Webber. Juwan Antonio Howard (born February 7 1973 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American professional Basketball player in The 1994 NBA Draft tookplace on 29 June 1994 in Indianapolis Indiana. Thomas James Gugliotta (born December 19, 1969 near Huntington Station New York, United States is an American former professional Basketball Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III (born March 1 1973 in Detroit, Michigan) better known as Chris Webber and nicknamed C-Webb, is a retired While the season started out with promise, a shoulder injury to Chris Webber (ironically against the Warriors) caused him to miss 19 games and the Bullets struggled through the rest of the season finishing a then franchise worst (percentage wise) 21-61. Webber averaged 20. 1 ppg and 9. 6 rpg but declined surgery for his dislocated shoulder. This would prove costly for the next season.

The Bullets 95-96 season seemed over before it started as Webber suffered a dislocated left shoulder in a preseason game against Indiana on October 21 and opened the season on the injured list. He was activated on Nov. 27, but strained his shoulder against New York on Dec. 29. After hoping the injury would get better with rest, Webber finally underwent surgery on Feb. 1 which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. The Bullets were 9-6 with Webber in the lineup as he averaged a team-high 23. 7 points plus 7. 6 rebounds, 5. 0 assists and 1. 80 steals in 37. 2 minutes per game when he was able to play. Other players injured included Mark Price (who only played in 7 games) and Robert Pack (31 games played out of 82). William Mark Price (born February 15 1964 in Bartlesville Oklahoma) is a retired American Basketball player who played for 12 Robert John Pack (born February 3, 1969 in New Orleans Louisiana) is a retired American professional Basketball player Bright spots of the season included the selection of Rasheed Wallace in the 1995 NBA Draft and the All-Star play of Howard. Rasheed Abdul Wallace (born September 17 1974 is an American professional Basketball player Juwan averaged a career best 22. 1 ppg and 8. 1 rpg and kept the Bullets slim playoff hopes alive until the end of the season. The Bullets improved to 39-43 but just missed the playoffs.

Washington, boasting the league's tallest player (center Gheorghe Mureşan 7'7"), two very athletic forwards (Juwan and Webber) and one of the league's top point guards (Rod Strickland), struggled out of the gate to a 22-24 start. Gheorghe Dumitru Mureşan, also known as Ghiță (giʦə and "George" (born February 14, 1971 in Triteni Romania) is Rodney "Rod" Strickland (born July 11 1966, in The Bronx, New York) is a retired American professional Basketball That led to the dismissal of Head Coach Jim Lynam. Bernie Bickerstaff, an assistant coach with the Bullets when they won their only NBA Championship in 1978, was called upon to resurrect his former team. Bernard Tyrone "Bernie" Bickerstaff (born November 2, 1944 in Benham Kentucky) is an assistant coach for the NBA 's Chicago Bulls The Bullets responded, winning 16 of their final 21 games to finish 44-38, their best record since 1978-79. The late surge enabled the Bullets to climb within reach of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the final playoff spot. In a winner-take-the-eighth-playoff-spot game with the Cavaliers on the season's final day, the Bullets squeezed past Cleveland 85-81 to end the franchise's longest playoff drought. And while the Bullets were swept by the Bulls in the first round, they lost the three games by a total of just 18 points, a sign that the team is one to be reckoned with.

Webber led the way in scoring (20. 1 ppg), rebounding (10. 3) and blocks (1. 9) and shot 51. 8 percent from the floor to make his first All-Star team. Howard averaged 19. 1 ppg and 8. 0 rpg, while Strickland averaged 17. 2 ppg and 1. 74 spg and finished fifth in the league in assists with 8. 9 per game. Muresan dominated the middle and led the NBA in field goal percentage (. 599). Washington also received valuable contributions from Calbert Cheaney (10. Calbert Nathaniel Cheaney (born July 17 1971 in Evansville Indiana) is a veteran Basketball player in the NBA currently a 6 ppg) and Tracy Murray (10. Tracy Lamonte Murray (born July 25 1971 in Los Angeles California) is a retired American professional Basketball player who 0 ppg).

Bullets become the Wizards

The Wizards moved to the MCI Center (now named Verizon Center) in 1997. The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center until March 5, 2006) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington D

In 1995, owner Abe Pollin announced that the franchise was to be renamed because Bullets carried violent overtones, which he wanted to repudiate,^[1] especially since Washington was experiencing some of the highest homicide rates in the country at the time. Abe Pollin (born December 3, 1923 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is the current owner of the NBA 's Washington A contest was held to choose a new name and the choices were narrowed to the Dragons, Express, Stallions, Sea Dogs, or Wizards. ^[2] On May 15, 1997, the Bullets officially became the Washington Wizards. Events 1252 - Pope Innocent IV issues the Papal bull Ad exstirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar The change generated some controversy because Wizard is a rank in the Ku Klux Klan. Ku Klux Klan ( KKK) is the name of several past and present secret domestic terrorist organizations in the United States, generally in the southern states that are Ku Klux Klan ( KKK) is the name of several past and present secret domestic terrorist organizations in the United States, generally in the southern states that are ^[2] A new logo was unveiled and the team colors were changed from the traditional red, white and blue to blue, black and bronze, the same colors as the Washington Capitals, a hockey team also owned by Pollin (the Capitals were traditionally red, white, and blue and would return to that scheme in 2007). For the BAA team see Washington Capitols. For the ABA team see Washington Caps. Hockey is any of a family of Sports in which two teams compete by trying to maneuver a Ball, or a hard round rubber or heavy plastic disc called a puck That same year the Wizards moved to the then MCI Center, now called Verizon Center. The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center until March 5, 2006) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington D The Verizon Center is also home to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League, the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Georgetown Hoyas men's college basketball team. For the BAA team see Washington Capitols. For the ABA team see Washington Caps. The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America The Washington Mystics is a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA team based in Washington D Cultural traditions "What is a Hoya?" The University admits that the precise origin of the term "Hoya" is unknown

In 1998, they became the brother team to the WNBA's Washington Mystics.

Late '90s decline

The newly named Wizards began the 1997-98 season playing 5 home games at the Capital Centre before moving to the new MCI Center on December 2, 1997. The Capital Centre (also briefly known as US Airways Arena and USAir Arena) was an indoor arena located in Largo, Landover Maryland The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center until March 5, 2006) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington D The Wizards finished the season with a 42-40 record including 4 straight victories to end the season but just missed the playoffs. Highlights of the season included Webber leading the team in scoring (21. 9 ppg) and rebounding (9. 5 rpg). Strickland led the league in assists (10. 5 apg) before suffering an injury near the end of the season. Tracy Murray averaged 15. 1 ppg off the bench including a 50 point game against Golden State. Off court distractions led to the trade of Webber to the Sacramento Kings for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe in May 1998. Mitchell James ( Mitch) Richmond (born June 30 1965 in Fort Lauderdale Florida) is a retired American Basketball player Otis Henry Thorpe (born August 5 1962 in Boynton Beach Florida) is an American former professional Basketball player in the NBA.

The Wizards finished the lockout shortened season of 1998-99 with a record of 18-32. The 1998–99 NBA season was the 53rd season of the National Basketball Association. Mitch Richmond led the team in scoring with a 19. 7 ppg average. In the 1999-00 season, the Wizards finished with a 29-53 record. The 1999–2000 NBA season was the 54th season of the National Basketball Association. Mitch Richmond led the team with 17. 4 ppg. 1999 NBA Draft pick Richard Hamilton led the team in scoring the following season with 18. The 1999 NBA Draft was held on June 30, 1999 at the MCI Center in Washington D Richard "Rip" Hamilton (born February 14, 1978 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania) is an American National Basketball Association 1 ppg on a team that finished with a 19-63 record (a franchise low).

On February 23, 2001, the Wizards were involved in a blockbuster trade days before the trading deadline. The team sent Juwan, Obinna Ekezie and Calvin Booth to the Dallas Mavericks. Obinna Ralph Ekezie (born August 22 1975, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State) is a Nigerian professional Basketball player Calvin Lawerence Booth (born May 7, 1976 in Reynoldsburg Ohio) is an American professional Basketball player in the NBA currently The Dallas Mavericks (also known as the Mavs) are the professional Basketball team of the National Basketball Association based in Dallas Texas In return, Washington received Hubert Davis, Courtney Alexander, Christian Laettner, Loy Vaught and Etan Thomas along with $3 million. Hubert Ira Davis Jr (born May 17 1970 in Winston-Salem North Carolina) is a retired American professional Basketball player Courtney Jason Alexander (born April 27 1977 in Bridgeport Connecticut) is an American professional Basketball player formerly in Christian Donald Laettner (born August 17, 1969 in Angola New York) is a retired American professional Basketball player Loy Stephen Vaught (born February 27, 1968 in Grand Rapids Michigan) is a retired American Basketball player who spent ten seasons in the Dedreck Etan Thomas, commonly referred to as Etan Thomas (born April 1 1978 in Harlem, New York) is an American professional

Michael Jordan years

2001-02

After retiring from the Chicago Bulls in early 1999, Michael Jordan became the Washington Wizards’ president of basketball operations as well as a minority owner in January 2000. The Chicago Bulls are an American professional Basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17 1963 is a retired American professional Basketball player and active businessman However in September 2001, Michael Jordan came out of retirement at age 38 to play basketball for the Washington Wizards. Jordan stated that he was returning “for the love of the game. ” Because of NBA rules, he had to divest himself of any ownership of the team. Before the All-Star break, Jordan was only one of two players to average more than 25 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds as he led the Wizards to a 26-21 record. Unfortunately, after the all-star break, Jordan’s knee could not handle the workload of a full-season as he ended the season on the injured list, and the Wizards concluded the season with a 37-45 record. Still, Jordan had led the Wizards to an 18-win improvement from the previous season.

2002-03

Jordan announced he would return for the 2002-03 season, and this time he was determined to be equipped with reinforcements, as he traded for All-Star Jerry Stackhouse and signed budding star Larry Hughes. The 2002–03 NBA season was the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. Jerry Darnell Stackhouse (born November 5 1974 in Kinston, North Carolina) is an American professional Basketball player Larry Hughes (born January 23 1979 in St Louis Missouri) is an American professional Basketball player who plays Point guard Jordan even accepted a sixth-man role on the bench in order for his knee to survive the rigors of an 82-game season. However, a combination of numerous team injuries and uninspired play led to Jordan’s return to the starting lineup, where he tried to rebound the franchise from its early-season struggles. A starting lineup in Sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins By the end of the season, the Wizards finished with a 37-45 record once again. Jordan ended the season as the only Wizard to play in all 82 games, as he averaged 20. 0 points, 6. 1 rebounds, 3. 8 assists, and 1. 5 steals in 37. 0 minutes per game.

Departure

After the season, Wizards' majority owner Abe Pollin fired Jordan as team president, much to the shock of teammates, associates, and the public. Ownership is the state or fact of exclusive rights and control over Property, which may be an object, land/real estate, Intellectual property Michael Jordan felt he was betrayed, thinking that he would get his ownership back after his playing days ended, but Pollin justified Jordan's dismissal by noting that Jordan had detrimental effects on the team, such as benching Larry Hughes for Tyronn Lue, making poor trades, and squandering the teams' 2001 1st round draft pick on high schooler Kwame Brown who never panned out. Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17 1963 is a retired American professional Basketball player and active businessman Larry Hughes (born January 23 1979 in St Louis Missouri) is an American professional Basketball player who plays Point guard Tyronn Jamar Lue (born on May 3 1977 in Mexico, Missouri) is an American professional Basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks The 2001 NBA Draft took place on 27 June 2001 in New York City, New York. Kwame James Brown (born March 10 1982 in Charleston, South Carolina) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays Without Michael in the fold the following year, the Washington Wizards were not expected to win, and they didn’t. Despite the signing of future All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas, the team stumbled to a 25-57 record in the 2003-04 season. Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr (born January 6, 1982, in Los Angeles, California) is a American professional Basketball player The 2003–04 NBA season was the 58th season of the National Basketball Association.

Jordan's stint with the Washington Wizards was closely watched by both fans and the media. "Popular press" redirects here note that the University of Wisconsin Press publishes under the imprint "The Popular Press"

The Wizards replaced Jordan's managerial role with coach Eddie Jordan and General Manager Ernie Grunfeld. Edward Montgomery "Eddie" Jordan (born January 29 1955 in Washington D Ernest (Ernie Grunfeld (born April 24 1955) is an American former professional Basketball player The team's current roster only has two holdovers from the Michael Jordan era: Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood. Dedreck Etan Thomas, commonly referred to as Etan Thomas (born April 1 1978 in Harlem, New York) is an American professional Brendan Todd Haywood (born November 27 1979, in New York City, United States) is an American professional Basketball player The trade of underachieving first round bust Kwame Brown for All-Star Caron Butler is considered to be one of the all time uneven trades in NBA history. James Caron Butler, widely known as Caron Butler (pronounced Kuh-RONN) (born March 13 1980) is an American professional Basketball

Recent resurgence

2004-05

The 2004-05 NBA season saw the team (now in the new Southeast Division) post its finest regular season record in 26 years (45-37) and marked the first time the franchise had ever made the playoffs as the Wizards. The 2004–05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA In the offseason, the team traded Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner, and the draft rights to Devin Harris for Antawn Jamison. Jerry Darnell Stackhouse (born November 5 1974 in Kinston, North Carolina) is an American professional Basketball player Christian Donald Laettner (born August 17, 1969 in Angola New York) is a retired American professional Basketball player Devin Lamar Harris (born February 27 1983) is an American professional Basketball player for the NBA 's New Jersey Nets Antawn Cortez Jamison (ˈænˌtwɑn born June 12 1976 in Shreveport Louisiana) is an American professional Basketball player in the National During the regular season, the scoring trio of Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Larry Hughes was the highest in the NBA and earned the nickname of "The Big Three. " Hughes also led the NBA in steals with 2. 89 steals per game. Arenas and Jamison were both named to the 2005 Eastern Conference All-Star team, marking the first time Washington had two players in the All-Star game since Jeff Malone and Moses Malone represented the Bullets in the 1987 All-Star Game. Jeffrey Nigel Malone (born June 28, 1961 in Mobile Alabama) is a retired American professional Basketball player Moses Eugene Malone (born March 23 1955 in Petersburg Virginia) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA Basketball player who

With a 93-82 win over the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2005, the Wizards clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 1996-97. The Chicago Bulls are an American professional Basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Events 1111 - Henry V is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. 1204 - The Fourth Crusade sacks Constantinople Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[3] Long suffering fans celebrated by buying over 16,000 playoff tickets in two and a half hours the day tickets went on sale. ^[4] In game 3 of the first round against the Bulls, the Wizards won their first playoff game since 1988. The 2005 NBA Playoffs were the postseason of the National Basketball Association 's 2004-05 season. ^[5] Adding to the "long-overdue" feeling was the fact that game 3 was also the first NBA playoff game to be held within Washington, D. C. city limits. ^[6] In the Wizards' game 5 victory in Chicago, Arenas hit a buzzer-beater to win the game^[7] and the Wizards took their first lead in a playoff series since 1986. In Game 6 at the MCI Center, Jared Jeffries picked up a loose ball and went in for an uncontested tiebreaking dunk with 32 seconds left, thus giving the Washington Wizards a 94-91 win and the team's their first playoff series win in 23 years. The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center until March 5, 2006) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington D Jared Scott Carter Jeffries (born November 25 1981, in Bloomington Indiana) is an American professional Basketball player for the They were only the 12th team in NBA history to win a playoff series after being down 0-2. ^[8]

In the conference semifinals, the Wizards were swept by the Miami Heat, the No. The Miami Heat (often referred to simply as the Heat, including in some official team publications with HEAT in all capital letters are a professional Basketball 1 seed in the Eastern Conference in the 2005 NBA Playoffs. The 2005 NBA Playoffs were the postseason of the National Basketball Association 's 2004-05 season.

2005-06

The "Wizards" original logo from 1998-2007. Note the original color, bronze, on the basketball crescent.

The 2005-06 NBA season was one filled with ups and downs. The 2005–06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, Washington acquired Caron Butler and Antonio Daniels. Antonio Robert Daniels (born March 19 1975 in Columbus Ohio) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Washington During the regular season, the Wizards again had the best scoring trio in the NBA, this time consisting of Arenas, Jamison and Butler as the "Big Three. " The Wizards started the 2005-06 season at 5-1, but went on an 8-17 funk to go to 13-18 through 31 games. Then, they went 13-5 in the next 18 games. On April 5, 2006, the team was 39-35 and looking to close in on the 45 win mark achieved the previous year, until Caron suffered a thumb sprain and the Wizards lost all five games without him. Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Butler returned and the team pulled out their final three games, against the Pistons, Cavs and Bucks, all playoff bound teams, to finish the year at 42-40 and clinch the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. They averaged 101. 7 points a game, 3rd in the NBA and tops in the East and clinched a playoff berth for the second year in a row for the first time since 1987. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar)

Their first round match up with Cleveland was widely seen as the most evenly matched series in the 2006 NBA Playoffs. The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association 's 2005-06 season. The teams exchanged wins during the first two games in Cleveland, with Game 2 highlighted by the Wizards holding LeBron James to 7-25 shooting from the floor while Brendan Haywood gave James a hard foul in the first quarter that many cited as the key to shaking up the rest of LeBron's game. LeBron Raymone James (born December 30 1984 in Akron Ohio) is an American professional Basketball player who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers of In Game 3 at the Verizon Center, James hit a 4-footer on the way down with 5. The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center until March 5, 2006) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington D 7 seconds left to take the game and the series lead for the Cavs with a 97-96 win. Arenas missed a potential game winning 3-pointer on the other end to seal the win for the Cavs. Game 4 saw the Wizards heat up again, as Gilbert scored 20 in the fourth quarter after claiming he changed his jersey, shorts, shoes and tights in the locker room and the Wizards won 106-96. Yet in Games 5 and 6, the Cavs would take control of the series, both games decided by one point in overtime.

In Game 5, despite the Wizards being down 107-100 with 1:18 to play, the team drove back and eventually tied the game on Caron Butler's layup with 7. 5 seconds remaining to send the game to OT, where James would score with 0. 9 seconds left in overtime to send the Cavs to a 121-120 win. The series came back to the newly-named Verizon Center for Game 6, where the game went back and forth all night. The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center until March 5, 2006) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington D The Wizards blew a 14-point first-quarter lead, then for 24 minutes, from early in the second quarter to early in the fourth, neither team led by more than five points at any time. The Wizards blew a seven point lead with just under 5 to play and needed Arenas to hit a 31-footer at the end of regulation to take the game to overtime. In OT, Gilbert missed two key free throws after James taunted Arenas at the line. Cleveland rebounded the ball, went downcourt and Damon Jones hit a 17-foot baseline jumper with 4. Damon Darron Jones (born August 25 1976 in Galveston Texas) is an American professional Basketball player of the NBA and currently a free agent 8 seconds remaining to give the Cavs the lead for good. Butler would miss a 3-pointer on the other end to seal the game, and the series, for the Cavaliers.

2006-07

The Wizards in a home game against the Toronto Raptors, 30 March 2007

The 2006-07 season started out very promising for the Wizards. The Toronto Raptors are a professional Basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario. Events 240 BC - 1st recorded Perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. In the offseason they signed free agents DeShawn Stevenson and Darius Songaila. DeShawn Stevenson (born April 3 1981 in Fresno California) is a American professional Basketball player currently with the Washington Darius Songaila (pronounced Son-Guy-La (born on February 14, 1978, in Kapsukas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union, now known as Marijampolė Etan Thomas beat out Haywood for the starting center job. After starting the season 0-8 on the road, Washington rebounded to win 6 of 7 away from Verizon Center. After a 4-9 November, Washington went 22-9 through December and January. Arenas scored a franchise-record 60 points against the Lakers on December 17. The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California. Both he and Eddie Jordan were named player of the month and coach of the month for December, respectively. On January 3 and again on January 15, Gilbert hit buzzer-beating three-pointers to beat Milwaukee and Utah. The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional Basketball team based in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The Utah Jazz is a professional Basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

On January 30, Antawn Jamison went down with a sprained left knee in a win against Detroit. The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area Washington went 4-8 in the 12 games without him. On February 3, Songaila made his Wizards debut against the Lakers. On February 18th, Eddie Jordan became the first Wizards/Bullets coach to coach the NBA All-Star Game since Dick Motta in 1978-1979. The National Basketball Association staged its first All-Star Game in the Boston Garden on March 2, 1951. John Richard "Dick" Motta (born September 3, 1931 in Midvale Utah) is a former Basketball coach whose career in the National Arenas played in his 3rd straight All-Star game and Caron Butler made his All-Star Game debut. An all-star game is an Exhibition game played by the best players in their Sports league.

On March 14, Butler went out with a knee injury that kept him out of the lineup for six games. He returned for only three games until he fractured his right hand on April 1 against Milwaukee. On April 4, Gilbert suffered a season-ending knee injury, of the meniscus. An April 15th article in The Washington Post pointed out that with Arenas and Caron gone, the team had lost 42. The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D 3% of their offensive production, quite possibly "the most costly" loss for any team in the midst of a playoff hunt in NBA history. ^[9]

Despite their late season struggles without Arenas and Butler, the Wizards still managed to make the Eastern Conference playoffs, taking the 7th seed at 41-41. They were swept 4 games to none in a rematch of last year's first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite a depleted roster, the Wizards still managed to keep things close in every game in the series and only lost the final three games by a combined 20 points. Business-wise, the team enjoyed their best attendance figures in the post-Michael Jordan era with a season attendance of 753,283 (18,372 per game) ^[10]. Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17 1963 is a retired American professional Basketball player and active businessman

2007-08: Ready to rule

The Wizards retained a majority of their roster from the 2006-07 season, only losing Jarvis Hayes to Detroit, Calvin Booth to the Philadelphia 76ers, and Michael Ruffin to the Milwaukee Bucks as free agents. Jarvis James Hayes (born August 9, 1981 in Atlanta Georgia) is an American professional Basketball player currently with the The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area The Philadelphia 76ers (also known as the Sixers for short are a professional Basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional Basketball team based in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Washington also signed Oleksiy Pecherov, the team's first-round pick in 2006, as well as 2007 picks Nick Young and Dominic McGuire. Oleksiy Pecherov (born December 8 1985 in Donetsk, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union) is a Ukrainian Basketball Nick Young may refer to Nick Young (basketball, American basketball player Nick Young (broadcast journalist, American broadcast journalist Dominic McGuire (born October 20 1985 in San Diego California) is an American Basketball player Etan Thomas missed the regular season after undergoing open-heart surgery. Dedreck Etan Thomas, commonly referred to as Etan Thomas (born April 1 1978 in Harlem, New York) is an American professional

The team began the season starting 0-5, but rebounded to win six straight. After 8 games, Gilbert Arenas underwent surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, as well as a microfracture surgery. This was the same knee he had injured the previous year. The injury forced Arenas out for a total of 68 games. Midway through the season, Caron Butler was forced to the sidelines for a total of 20 games with what initially was a strained hip flexor, but turned out to be a labral tear. Despite all of the injuries, the Wizards managed to go 43-39 on the regular season, good for 5th place in the Eastern Conference and a first-round playoff matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third straight season.

The Washington Wizards will be having minor modifications on their team jerseys and logos. To accommodate the gold/black alternate jerseys they introduced last season along with the design change on the Verizon Center floor, they changed their secondary team colors from bronze to metallic gold, and the player's name on the back of the jersey is changed from white/blue with bronze trim to gold (blue on home uniforms) with a change in lettering. The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center until March 5, 2006) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington D Bronze is any of a broad range of Copper alloys, usually with Tin as the main additive but sometimes with other elements such as Phosphorus Gold, also called golden, is a Yellowish orange Color which is a representation of the color of the element

Post-Season Rivalry with the Cleveland Cavaliers

In the 2006 NBA Playoffs, the Wizards matched up with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 4-5 first-round matchup, in what would turn out to be the first of (as of 2008) three consecutive postseason matchups, as well as James' first-ever playoff appearance. The series was considered to be one of the most evenly matched of all first-round series that year. After suffering a loss in Game 1, Washington came back to win Game 2 and steal home-court advantage heading back to Verizon Center for Game 3. However, Cleveland stole home-court advantage right back. Washington came back to tie the series at two apiece with a win in Game 4, but suffered two consecutive one-point overtime losses and thus were eliminated 4 games to 2.

The Wizards and Cavaliers met again in the 2007 NBA Playoffs, this time as a 2-7 matchup. The injury-riddled Wizards (they were missing Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler) were swept 4-0 by Cleveland. Antawn Jamison averaged a team-high 32 points per game in the series. Antawn Cortez Jamison (ˈænˌtwɑn born June 12 1976 in Shreveport Louisiana) is an American professional Basketball player in the National

In April of 2008, Arenas made comments saying Cleveland was only a . 500 team since a midseason blockbuster trade. After the conclusion of the 2007-08 regular season, the Wizards and Cavaliers were pitted against each other yet again in a 4-5 first-round matchup. Following a regular-season win on March 13th, guard DeShawn Stevenson made comments saying LeBron James was "overrated. DeShawn Stevenson (born April 3 1981 in Fresno California) is a American professional Basketball player currently with the Washington LeBron Raymone James (born December 30 1984 in Akron Ohio) is an American professional Basketball player who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers of " James responded to the comment by saying that he wouldn't return the insult, as that would be "almost like Jay-Z [responding to a negative comment] made by Soulja Boy. "^[11] Soulja Boy made an appearance at Game 3 of the series (played in Washington) in support of the Wizards; his music was played over the PA system^[12]. Jay-Z, a close friend of James, got involved in the rivalry as well, making a song that trashed Stevenson. Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4 1969 better known as Jay-Z, is an American Rapper and former CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella The day after Game 3, James reserved a private room at a D. C. area nightclub called "Love" for himself and his teammates. Jay-Z's new song was played while Cavs guard Damon Jones made negative gestures about the Wizards. Damon Darron Jones (born August 25 1976 in Galveston Texas) is an American professional Basketball player of the NBA and currently a free agent Unbeknownst to the Cavaliers, Wizards star Caron Butler and his wife were also present, and they stormed out of the nightclub. James Caron Butler, widely known as Caron Butler (pronounced Kuh-RONN) (born March 13 1980) is an American professional Basketball According to the ABC broadcast of Game 4, Butler and the Wizards have sworn never to visit that particular club again, despite often frequenting it in the past. After suffering a late-game loss in Game 4 at the hands of a Delonte West three-pointer, Washington won a nail-biting Game 5 in Cleveland to bring the series back to Washington for Game 6 of the series. Delonte Maurice West (born July 26 1983, in Washington DC) is an American professional Basketball player in the guard positions Prior to Game 6, Darius Songaila, a reserve forward, was suspended for hitting LeBron James in the face in the first quarter of Game 5, and without Songaila, the Wizards suffered a season-ending defeat to Cleveland, and lost the series 4-2.

Dating back to the start of the 2005-06 season, the Wizards and Cavaliers have played each other a combined 30 times (including preseason), far more than they have played any other team in the league.

Season-by-season records

Main article: Washington Wizards seasons

Home arenas

• International Amphitheatre (1961–1962)
• Chicago Coliseum (1962–1963)
• Baltimore Civic Center (later the Baltimore Arena, now 1st Mariner Arena) (1963–1973, occasional games in 1990's)
• US Airways Arena (originally Capital Centre) (1973–November 1997)
• Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center) (December 1997–present)

Kits

The Washington Wizards wear white home kits just like most NBA teams and their away kits are blue. This is a list of seasons completed by the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. The International Amphitheatre was an indoor arena located in Chicago Illinois. The Chicago Coliseum was a large building in Chicago Illinois from the 1890s to 1982 that served as a sports arena convention center and exhibition hall over the course of 1st Mariner Arena (formerly known as the Baltimore Arena and as the Baltimore Civic Center) is an arena located in Baltimore Maryland. The Capital Centre (also briefly known as US Airways Arena and USAir Arena) was an indoor arena located in Largo, Landover Maryland The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center until March 5, 2006) is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington D Their third kits, however, are unique in the fact that they are old gold jerseys with navy blue shorts.

Players of note

Washington Wizards alternate logo, 2007-present

Basketball Hall of Famers

• Walt Bellamy
• Elvin Hayes
• Earl "The Pearl" Monroe
• Wes Unseld
• Moses Malone

Retired numbers

• 11 - Elvin Hayes, F, 1972-1981 (1972-1973 Baltimore)
• 10 - Earl "The Pearl" Monroe G, 1967-1972
• 25 - Gus Johnson, F, 1963-1972 (all in Baltimore)
• 41 - Wes Unseld, C, 1968-1981 (1968-1973 Baltimore); Head Coach, 1987-1994

Current roster

Washington Wizards roster v • d • e
Players	Coaches
Pos. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in downtown Springfield Massachusetts, honors players who have shown exceptional skill at Basketball Walter Jones Bellamy (born July 24 1939 in New Bern North Carolina) is a retired American professional Basketball player Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17 1945 in Rayville Louisiana) is a retired American Basketball player Vernon Earl Monroe (born on November 21 1944 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American former professional Basketball player known for his flamboyant Dribbling Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player Moses Eugene Malone (born March 23 1955 in Petersburg Virginia) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA Basketball player who Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17 1945 in Rayville Louisiana) is a retired American Basketball player Vernon Earl Monroe (born on November 21 1944 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American former professional Basketball player known for his flamboyant Dribbling Gus Johnson ( December 13 1938 &ndash April 29 1987) was a professional Basketball player who spent nine seasons with the NBA Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. From 1. 5 G 0 USA Arenas, Gilbert 76 6 ft 4 in (1. The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr (born January 6, 1982, in Los Angeles, California) is a American professional Basketball player 93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Arizona 4. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution 0 PF 32 USA Blatche, Andray 83 6 ft 11 in (2. Power forward is a position in the sport of Basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF" Andray Blatche (born August 22, 1986 in Syracuse New York) is an American professional Basketball player in the NBA for the 11 m) 248 lb (112 kg) South Kent School (CT)* 3. South Kent School is a private Boarding school for boys in the picturesque hamlet of South Kent, Connecticut. 0 SF 3 USA Butler, Caron (C) 79 6 ft 7 in (2. The small forward, or colloquially the three, is one of the five positions in a regulation Basketball game James Caron Butler, widely known as Caron Butler (pronounced Kuh-RONN) (born March 13 1980) is an American professional Basketball 01 m) 228 lb (103 kg) Connecticut 1. The University of Connecticut ( Connecticut or UConn) is the State of Connecticut 's Land-grant university. 0 PG 6 USA Daniels, Antonio 76 6 ft 4 in (1. Point guard ( PG) also called the one or " the ball-handler " is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game Antonio Robert Daniels (born March 19 1975 in Columbus Ohio) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Washington 93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Bowling Green 5. Bowling Green State University (BGSU is a public four-year institution located in Bowling Green Ohio, USA, about 20 miles south of Toledo Ohio on 0 C 33 USA Haywood, Brendan 84 7 ft 0 in (2. The center, colloquially the five, is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game Brendan Todd Haywood (born November 27 1979, in New York City, United States) is an American professional Basketball player 13 m) 263 lb (119 kg) North Carolina 3. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ( UNC, North Carolina, or simply Carolina) is a public, Coeducational Research 5 F 4 USA Jamison, Antawn (C) 81 6 ft 9 in (2. The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center Antawn Cortez Jamison (ˈænˌtwɑn born June 12 1976 in Shreveport Louisiana) is an American professional Basketball player in the National 06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) North Carolina 2. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ( UNC, North Carolina, or simply Carolina) is a public, Coeducational Research 0 SG 8 USA Mason, Jr., Roger 77 6 ft 5 in (1. The Shooting guard ( SG) also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a Basketball team 96 m) 212 lb (96 kg) Virginia 3. The University of Virginia (also called UVa, UVA, Mr Jefferson's University, or The University) is a highly selective public research 0 SF 5 USA McGuire, Dominic 80 6 ft 8 in (2. The small forward, or colloquially the three, is one of the five positions in a regulation Basketball game Dominic McGuire (born October 20 1985 in San Diego California) is an American Basketball player 03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Fresno State 4. California State University Fresno, commonly referred to as Fresno State and even plainly State, is one of the campuses of California State University 5 F/C 13 UKR Pecherov, Oleksiy 84 7 ft 0 in (2. Forward-center is a Basketball position for players who play or have played both forward and center on a consistent basis Oleksiy Pecherov (born December 8 1985 in Donetsk, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union) is a Ukrainian Basketball 13 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Ukraine 4. Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. 0 PF 9 LTU Songaila, Darius 81 6 ft 9 in (2. Power forward is a position in the sport of Basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF" Darius Songaila (pronounced Son-Guy-La (born on February 14, 1978, in Kapsukas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union, now known as Marijampolė 06 m) 248 lb (112 kg) Wake Forest 2. Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational University in North Carolina, founded in 1834 0 SG 2 USA Stevenson, DeShawn 77 6 ft 5 in (1. The Shooting guard ( SG) also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a Basketball team DeShawn Stevenson (born April 3 1981 in Fresno California) is a American professional Basketball player currently with the Washington 96 m) 218 lb (99 kg) Washington Union HS (CA)* 5. Washington Union High School is a High school in the rural community of Easton in Fresno County, California. 0 C 36 USA Thomas, Etan  82 6 ft 10 in (2. The center, colloquially the five, is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game Dedreck Etan Thomas, commonly referred to as Etan Thomas (born April 1 1978 in Harlem, New York) is an American professional 08 m) 260 lb (118 kg) Syracuse 2. Syracuse University (SU is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York. 5 G/F 1 USA Young, Nick 78 6 ft 6 in (1. Swingman is a basketball term denoting a player who can play both the Small forward and Shooting guard positions and in essence swing between the shooting Nick Young (born June 1 1985, in Los Angeles California) is an American professional Basketball player who current plays for 98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) USC*	Head coach Eddie Jordan (Rutgers) Assistant coach(es) Mike O'Koren (North Carolina) Phil Hubbard (Michigan) Wes Unseld Jr. The University of Southern California (commonly referred to as USC, SC, Southern California, and incorrectly Edward Montgomery "Eddie" Jordan (born January 29 1955 in Washington D Rutgers The State University of New Jersey (also known as Rutgers University) is the largest institution for higher education in the state of New Jersey Mike O'Koren (born February 7 1958, in Jersey City New Jersey) is a retired American professional Basketball player and associate The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ( UNC, North Carolina, or simply Carolina) is a public, Coeducational Research Philip "Phil" Gregory Hubbard (born December 13 1956 in Canton Ohio) is a former American professional Basketball The University of Michigan Ann Arbor ( U of M, U-M, UM or simply Michigan) is a top-ranked Coeducational public research (Johns Hopkins*) Randy Ayers (Miami (OH)) Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Draft pick (FA) Free agent Injured Roster • Transactions Last change: 2007-12-31

Additional players of note

Washington Hall of Stars

The Washington Hall of Stars, a series of banners on the right-field wall of Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington, honors several D. Randall (Randy Duane Ayers (born April 16 1956) is an American former College basketball player and current assistant coach of the Washington Wizards Miami University (colloquially and incorrectly referred to as Miami of Ohio for clarification purposes is a Coeducational Public university founded in 1809 Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Michael Adams (born January 19 1963 in Hartford Connecticut) is a former NBA player and basketball coach Courtney Jason Alexander (born April 27 1977 in Bridgeport Connecticut) is an American professional Basketball player formerly in Isaac Edward "Ike" Austin (born August 18 1969 in Gridley California) is a retired American professional Basketball Tyrone Curtis Bogues (born January 9 1965, in Baltimore Maryland) better known as Muggsy Bogues, is a retired American professional Manute Bol (born October 16, 1962) is a Sudanese born Basketball player and Activist. Kwame James Brown (born March 10 1982 in Charleston, South Carolina) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays Steven Hanson Blake (born February 26 1980 in Hollywood, Florida) is an American professional Basketball player at the Point guard Rex Everett Chapman (born October 5 1967 in Bowling Green, Kentucky) is a retired American professional Basketball player who played for four teams Calbert Nathaniel Cheaney (born July 17 1971 in Evansville Indiana) is a veteran Basketball player in the NBA currently a Philip Chenier (born October 30 1950 in Berkeley California) was a professional basketball player Hubert Ira Davis Jr (born May 17 1970 in Winston-Salem North Carolina) is a retired American professional Basketball player Terry Gilbert Dischinger (born November 14 1940 in Terre Haute Indiana) is a retired American Basketball player in the NBA. Juan Dixon (born October 9 1978 in Baltimore Maryland, US) is an American professional Basketball player currently Kevin Jerome Duckworth ( April 1 1964 &ndash August 25 2008) was an American professional Basketball player at Andrew Barry Casson Gaze (born 24 July 1965 in Melbourne, Victoria) is Australia 's best known Basketball player and undoubtedly one of Harvey Grant (born July 4 1965 in Augusta, Georgia) is a retired American National Basketball Association Basketball Kevin Michael Grevey (born May 12 1953 in Hamilton Ohio) is a retired American professional Basketball player Thomas James Gugliotta (born December 19, 1969 near Huntington Station New York, United States is an American former professional Basketball Richard "Rip" Hamilton (born February 14, 1978 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania) is an American National Basketball Association Jarvis James Hayes (born August 9, 1981 in Atlanta Georgia) is an American professional Basketball player currently with the Juwan Antonio Howard (born February 7 1973 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American professional Basketball player in Larry Hughes (born January 23 1979 in St Louis Missouri) is an American professional Basketball player who plays Point guard Jared Scott Carter Jeffries (born November 25 1981, in Bloomington Indiana) is an American professional Basketball player for the Gus Johnson ( December 13 1938 &ndash April 29 1987) was a professional Basketball player who spent nine seasons with the NBA Ronald Jerome "Popeye" Jones (born June 17 1970 in Dresden Tennessee) is a retired American professional Basketball player Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17 1963 is a retired American professional Basketball player and active businessman For the 1981 born basketball player see Bernard King (Texas A&M Aggies. James Lang may refer to James Lang (basketball, American basketball player James Lang (footballer, Scottish footballer Donald James MacLean (born January 16, 1970 in Palo Alto California) is a retired American professional Basketball player in the Jeffrey Nigel Malone (born June 28, 1961 in Mobile Alabama) is a retired American professional Basketball player Timothy Eugene "Legs" Legler (born December 26, 1966 in Washington D Christian Donald Laettner (born August 17, 1969 in Angola New York) is a retired American professional Basketball player Gheorghe Dumitru Mureşan, also known as Ghiță (giʦə and "George" (born February 14, 1971 in Triteni Romania) is Tracy Lamonte Murray (born July 25 1971 in Los Angeles California) is a retired American professional Basketball player who Donald Arvid Nelson (born May 15 1940 in Muskegon Michigan) is a former NBA player and currently is a National Basketball Association Head Tyrone Lamont Nesby (born January 31 1976 in Cairo Illinois) is an American professional Basketball player Robert John Pack (born February 3, 1969 in New Orleans Louisiana) is a retired American professional Basketball player Hartley Brent Price, better known as Brent Price (born December 9 1968 in Shawnee Oklahoma) is a retired American professional Mitchell James ( Mitch) Richmond (born June 30 1965 in Fort Lauderdale Florida) is a retired American Basketball player Scott Allen Skiles (born March 5 1964 in LaPorte Indiana) is the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and former American professional Basketball player Jerry Darnell Stackhouse (born November 5 1974 in Kinston, North Carolina) is an American professional Basketball player Rodney "Rod" Strickland (born July 11 1966, in The Bronx, New York) is a retired American professional Basketball Otis Henry Thorpe (born August 5 1962 in Boynton Beach Florida) is an American former professional Basketball player in the NBA. Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player Ben Camey Wallace (born September 10 1974 in White Hall Alabama) is an American professional Basketball player in the National Rasheed Abdul Wallace (born September 17 1974 is an American professional Basketball player Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III (born March 1 1973 in Detroit, Michigan) better known as Chris Webber and nicknamed C-Webb, is a retired Jahidi White (born February 19, 1976 in St Louis Missouri) is a former NBA professional Basketball player Christopher Antoine Whitney (born October 5, 1971, in Hopkinsville Kentucky) is a former American professional Basketball player Robert F Kennedy Memorial Stadium, better known as RFK Stadium or RFK, is a professional sports Stadium in Washington D C. sports heroes. The Bullets/Wizards figures honored are:

• 45 - Phil Chenier, G, 1971-1980; Broadcaster
• 24 - Bob Ferry, C, 1964-1968 (all in Baltimore); General Manager, 1970-1987
• 11 - Elvin Hayes, F, 1972-1981
• 41 - Wes Unseld, C, 1968-1981; Head Coach, 1987-1994
• Abe Pollin, Team Owner, 1964-present

The Hall also honors Arnold "Red" Auerbach, who played collegiately at D. Philip Chenier (born October 30 1950 in Berkeley California) was a professional basketball player Robert Dean Ferry (born May 31, 1937 in St Louis Missouri) is a retired American Basketball player and executive Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17 1945 in Rayville Louisiana) is a retired American Basketball player Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player Abe Pollin (born December 3, 1923 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is the current owner of the NBA 's Washington Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach (September 20 1917 &ndash October 28 2006 was a Basketball coach of the Washington Capitols, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks C. 's George Washington University, and Horace "Bones" McKinney, who played for the Washington Capitols in the early days of the NBA. The George Washington University ( GW or GWU) is a private coeducational university located in Washington D Horace Albert "Bones" McKinney ( January 1 1919 in Lowlands North Carolina – May 16 1997) was an American professional The Washington Capitols were a charter Basketball Association of America (forerunner of the National Basketball Association) team based in Washington D Both men also coached the Capitols, who played from the NBA's founding in 1946 until the team folded in 1951.

High points

Individual awards

Media information

Most games are carried on TV on Comcast SportsNet which is available in the Washington, D.C. area and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic states. Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player The National Basketball Association Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA award given since the 1969 NBA Finals. Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the Walter Jones Bellamy (born July 24 1939 in New Bern North Carolina) is a retired American professional Basketball player Terry Gilbert Dischinger (born November 14 1940 in Terre Haute Indiana) is a retired American Basketball player in the NBA. Vernon Earl Monroe (born on November 21 1944 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American former professional Basketball player known for his flamboyant Dribbling Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player The National Basketball Association's Most Improved Player Award is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA award given since the 1985–86 NBA season, to Pervis Ellison (born April 3, 1967 in Savannah Georgia) is a former college and professional NBA Basketball player Donald James MacLean (born January 16, 1970 in Palo Alto California) is a retired American professional Basketball player in the Gheorghe Dumitru Mureşan, also known as Ghiță (giʦə and "George" (born February 14, 1971 in Triteni Romania) is The National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA award given since the 1962–63 NBA season. Eugene William "Gene" Shue (born December 18 1931 in Baltimore Maryland) is a retired American professional Basketball The National Basketball Association's Executive of the Year Award is an annual award given since the 1972–73 NBA season, to the league's best General managers Unlike Robert Dean Ferry (born May 31, 1937 in St Louis Missouri) is a retired American Basketball player and executive The All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season Vernon Earl Monroe (born on November 21 1944 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American former professional Basketball player known for his flamboyant Dribbling Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17 1945 in Rayville Louisiana) is a retired American Basketball player The All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season Gus Johnson ( December 13 1938 &ndash April 29 1987) was a professional Basketball player who spent nine seasons with the NBA Archie Clark or Archibald Clark may refer to Archie Clark (basketball Archie Clark (footballer, English football player and Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17 1945 in Rayville Louisiana) is a retired American Basketball player Philip Chenier (born October 30 1950 in Berkeley California) was a professional basketball player Moses Eugene Malone (born March 23 1955 in Petersburg Virginia) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA Basketball player who Rodney "Rod" Strickland (born July 11 1966, in The Bronx, New York) is a retired American professional Basketball Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr (born January 6, 1982, in Los Angeles, California) is a American professional Basketball player The All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season For the 1981 born basketball player see Bernard King (Texas A&M Aggies. Juwan Antonio Howard (born February 7 1973 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American professional Basketball player in Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr (born January 6, 1982, in Los Angeles, California) is a American professional Basketball player The NBA All-Defensive Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA honor given since the 1968–69 NBA season to the best defensive players during the regular Gus Johnson ( December 13 1938 &ndash April 29 1987) was a professional Basketball player who spent nine seasons with the NBA Larry Hughes (born January 23 1979 in St Louis Missouri) is an American professional Basketball player who plays Point guard The NBA All-Defensive Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA honor given since the 1968–69 NBA season to the best defensive players during the regular Michael W Riordan (born July 9, 1945 in New York New York) is an American former professional Basketball player Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17 1945 in Rayville Louisiana) is a retired American Basketball player Manute Bol (born October 16, 1962) is a Sudanese born Basketball player and Activist. The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top Rookies during the regular Terry Gilbert Dischinger (born November 14 1940 in Terre Haute Indiana) is a retired American Basketball player in the NBA. Rodney King "Rod" Thorn (born May 23, 1941, in Princeton West Virginia) is the president and general manager of the NBA 's New Gus Johnson ( December 13 1938 &ndash April 29 1987) was a professional Basketball player who spent nine seasons with the NBA Walter "Wali" Jones (born February 14 1942, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a retired American professional Basketball John Warren "Jack" Marin (born October 12 1944, in Sharon Pennsylvania) is a retired American professional Vernon Earl Monroe (born on November 21 1944 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American former professional Basketball player known for his flamboyant Dribbling Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14 1946 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American former Basketball player Michael Davis or Mike Davis may refer to Michael Davis (bassist Michael Davis (director (born 1961 film director writer Philip Chenier (born October 30 1950 in Berkeley California) was a professional basketball player Nick Levoter Weatherspoon (born July 20 1950, in Greenwood Mississippi) is an American former professional Basketball player Mitchell "Mitch" Kupchak (born May 24 1954 in Hicksville New York) is a retired American Basketball player and Jeffrey Alan Ruland (born December 16 1958 in Bay Shore New York) is a retired American Basketball player and current coach Jeffrey Nigel Malone (born June 28, 1961 in Mobile Alabama) is a retired American professional Basketball player Thomas James Gugliotta (born December 19, 1969 near Huntington Station New York, United States is an American former professional Basketball The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top Rookies during the regular Larry Stewart (born September 21 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American professional Basketball player formerly Juwan Antonio Howard (born February 7 1973 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American professional Basketball player in Rasheed Abdul Wallace (born September 17 1974 is an American professional Basketball player Courtney Jason Alexander (born April 27 1977 in Bridgeport Connecticut) is an American professional Basketball player formerly in Jarvis James Hayes (born August 9, 1981 in Atlanta Georgia) is an American professional Basketball player currently with the Comcast SportsNet (or CSN) is a group of Regional sports networks The group is primarily owned by the Comcast Cable television company Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Alternate local carriers include WDCW-TV and cable station NewsChannel 8. WDCW, channel 50 is the CW -affiliated Television station for Washington D News Channel 8 is a regional cable Television network serving Washington D Wizards games are announced by Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier. Philip Chenier (born October 30 1950 in Berkeley California) was a professional basketball player Chris Miller serves as a sideline reporter for some broadcasts (including most Wizards' home games). On the radio, Wizards games are broadcast on WTEM-980 AM, with Dave Johnson and Glenn Consor doing analysis. WTEM ( AM 980 kHz) is a Radio station that serves the metropolitan Washington D

Washington Wizards Forums and Chat can be accessed at Wizards Extreme

Notes and references

External links

• Washington Wizards official web site
• Washington Wizards official blog
• Washington Wizards official Message Board
• Washington Wizards Fan Forum
• Sports E-Cyclopedia
• Unofficial Washington Wizards fan blog
• Washington Wizards News
• Full Rosters Since Team Inception
• Wizards History From Chicago Stag to Washington Wizards
• Washington Wizards YouTube Videos