Washington Wizards 2013 NBA Preview:
Check back later for the Wizards 2013 Season Preview.
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WASHINGTON WIZARDS FRANCHISE FACTS:
Founded: 1961
Location: Washington, DC
Stadium: Verizon Center
Conference: Eastern Conference
Division: Southeast Division
Mascot: G. Wiz
Dancers: Wizards Dance Team
Notable Players: Earl Monroe, Walt Bellamy
Washington Wizards Championship Titles: 1
Washington Wizards Conference Titles: 4
See Also:
Washington Wizards Playoff tickets
Washington Wizards Season Preview History
WASHINGTON WIZARDS EXPERIENCE:
The Washington Wizards franchise has gone by several different names over the years, including the Baltimore Bullets and the Chicago Packers, but by 1973 the organization made Washington its official home. The squad's first championship win came in 1978, when it was known as the Washington Bullets. The team then made a seemingly miraculous comeback from a slow start to the 1977-78 season and was able to fend off the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA Finals. The '70s were the true glory years for the franchise, which received a playoff berth each year of that decade.
In 1997, the team took on the moniker "Washington Wizards." By this time the franchise already had a long history of winning. Prior to playing under this new title, the Bullets had made the postseason more than 20 times. Unfortunately, the first few years the franchise played under its new name weren't so magical. Thankfully, the new millennium brought with it a burst of energy when a legend entered into the team's midst.
Michael Jordan, widely considered to be one of the greatest players basketball history, announced his second retirement in 1999 (his first retirement in 1993 was short lived). It was then that he decided to take on the responsibility of becoming the president of basketball operations with the Wizards. After minding the front desk for a little more than a year, Jordan attempted yet another comeback, exiting his retirement in 2001 to play with the team. However, he was forced to finish the season on the injured reserve list with a knee injury. Despite his medical challenges, his presence provided a much needed boost to the organization. Jordan decided to get back on the court in the 2002-03 season, which would be the last of his illustrious career.
In the 2000s, the Wizards played in the Southeast Division of the NBA, alongside the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats and the Orlando Magic. It would be another few years before the Wizards would become a competitive team again in the Eastern Conference. The squad consecutively made the playoffs each year between 2005 and 2008, giving fans hope that maybe the Wizards could return to its glory days as a winning franchise.