Editing Washington Wizards (section)

===1989–1997: End of the Bullets===
The Bullets got off to a 5–1 start in 1988–89, but they lost 16 of 18 games from mid-December to mid-January. On January 6, 1989,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/01/29/The-last-time-the-Washington-Bullets-played-in-Baltimore/7587602053200/|title=The last time the Washington Bullets played in Baltimore|work=United Press International|date=January 29, 1989|access-date=December 12, 2022|archive-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509072422/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/01/29/The-last-time-the-Washington-Bullets-played-in-Baltimore/7587602053200/|url-status=live}}</ref> the Bullets franchise played its first regular season game in [[Baltimore]] since [[1972–73 Baltimore Bullets season|1973]]; this would be the first of 35 regular season "home" games the Bullets played in Baltimore from 1989 to 1997.<ref name="baltimoresun.com"/> They finished with a 31–51 record despite stellar seasons by Jeff Malone and [[Bernard King]], who averaged 24.3 and 22.3 points per game respectively to lead the team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1990.html|title=1989-90 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats|work=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 12, 2022|archive-date=December 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212133713/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1990.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 New York Knicks season|1984–85 season]] to finish third in the NBA in scoring with a 28.4 points per game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1991_per_game.html|title=1990-91 NBA Player Stats: Per Game|work=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 12, 2022|archive-date=December 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212133706/https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1991_per_game.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1990, the team named [[Susan O'Malley]] as its president, the first female president of a franchise in the history of the NBA, who is the daughter of Peter O'Malley, the prominent lawyer from Maryland and former president of the [[Washington Capitals]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-05-10-9102110669-story.html|title=BULLETS' NEW PRESIDENT MAKES HISTORY|work=Chicago Tribune|date=May 10, 1991|access-date=December 12, 2022|location=Baltimore|archive-date=December 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212133712/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-05-10-9102110669-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Bullets continued to struggle due to injuries and inconsistent play. They posted a 25–57 record in the 1991–92 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1991-92|title=NBA 1991-92 Regular Season Standings|work=NBA|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092844/https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1991-92|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pervis Ellison]] was named 1992 [[NBA Most Improved Player Award|Most Improved Player of The Year]], averaging 20.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. Undrafted rookie [[Larry Stewart (basketball)|Larry Stewart]] became the first undrafted player in NBA history to make an All-Rookie Team, being selected to the All-Rookie Second Team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/year/1992|title=1992 NBA Awards|work=ESPN|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221150032/http://www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/year/1992|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bullets drafted [[Tom Gugliotta]] with their sixth overall pick in the [[1992 NBA draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1992.html|title=1992 NBA Draft|work=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=April 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408184819/https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1992.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They finished the 1992–93 season with a 22–60 record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1992-93|title=1992-93 NBA Regular Season Standings|work=NBA|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092843/https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1992-93|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the season, the Bullets traded [[Harvey Grant]] to the [[1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]] for former All-Star center [[Kevin Duckworth]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/06/25/bullets-trade-grant-to-get-duckworth/87d6e66f-c63d-4693-8dd7-594fddade5a0/|title=BULLETS TRADE GRANT TO GET DUCKWORTH|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 25, 1993|access-date=December 13, 2022|last=Aldridge|first=David}}</ref> In 1993, the Bullets did a rap music video of their version of [[Naughty by Nature]]'s rap single "[[Hip Hop Hooray]]", featuring the rap trio themselves.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ball-dont-lie/naughty-nature-1993-94-washington-bullets-teamed-promo-220741771--nba.html|title=Naughty by Nature and the 1993-94 Washington Bullets teamed up for a promo video (VIDEO)|work=Yahoo! Sports|date=August 17, 2012|access-date=December 13, 2022|last=Freeman|first=Eric|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092842/https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ball-dont-lie/naughty-nature-1993-94-washington-bullets-teamed-promo-220741771--nba.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Injuries continued as key players [[Rex Chapman]] and [[Calbert Cheaney]] (the club's first-round draft pick) missed significant stretches, and Ellison missed almost the entire season. The result was a {{Win-loss record|w=24|l=58}} record for the 1993–94 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1993-94|title=1993-94 NBA Regular Season Standings|work=NBA|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092844/https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1993-94|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Don MacLean (basketball)|Don MacLean]] was named 1994 Most Improved Player of the season, leading the Bullets with 18.2 points per game (tied with Chapman).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/year/1994|title=1994 NBA Awards|work=ESPN|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092844/http://www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/year/1994|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Bullets selected [[Juwan Howard]] in the [[1994 NBA draft]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1994.html|title=1994 NBA Draft|work=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201223833/https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1994.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and traded Gugliotta along with three first-round draft picks to the [[1994–95 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] for the rights to [[Chris Webber]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-send-Gugliotta-packing-3151194.php|title=Warriors send Gugliotta packing|work=SFGATE|date=February 19, 1995|location=Oakland|access-date=December 13, 2022|last=Hillyer|first=John|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092847/https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-send-Gugliotta-packing-3151194.php|url-status=live}}</ref> While the season started out with promise, a shoulder injury to Chris Webber (ironically against the Warriors) caused him to miss 19 games,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/12/23/webber-dislocates-shoulder-bullets-lose/9092f247-a093-4e4d-bf44-a784befdc9bc/|title=WEBBER DISLOCATES SHOULDER, BULLETS LOSE|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 23, 1994|access-date=December 13, 2022|last=Justice|first=Richard}}</ref> and the Bullets struggled through the rest of the season finishing a then franchise-worst (percentage-wise) 21–61.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1994-95|title=1994-95 NBA Regular Season Standings|work=NBA|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092843/https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1994-95|url-status=live}}</ref> Webber averaged 20.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, but declined surgery for his dislocated shoulder.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/10/24/webber-will-seek-medical-advice-independent-of-bullets/5480807d-4884-48ca-bb15-f8df5c55ea09/|title=WEBBER WILL SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE INDEPENDENT OF BULLETS|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 24, 1995|access-date=December 13, 2022|last=Justice|first=Richard}}</ref> This would prove costly for the next season. The Bullets released a holiday video, "You da Man, You da Man, that's the reason I'm a Bullets Fan!" in 1994, which featured all 12 Bullets dancing in front of the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/05/04/bullets-classic-you-da-man-video-gets-a-wizards-makeover/|title=Bullets' classic 'You Da Man' video gets a Wizards makeover|last=Allen|first=Scott|date=May 4, 2017|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 10, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310135640/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/05/04/bullets-classic-you-da-man-video-gets-a-wizards-makeover/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://wtop.com/washington-wizards/2017/05/da-man-video-revives-legendary-dc-basketball-anthem/|title='You Da Man!' video revives legendary DC basketball anthem|last=Moore|first=Jack|date=May 8, 2017|work=WTOP|access-date=March 10, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310135733/https://wtop.com/washington-wizards/2017/05/da-man-video-revives-legendary-dc-basketball-anthem/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/05/13/the-top-10-moments-of-the-bullets-you-the-man-video/|title=The top 10 moments of the Bullets' 'You the Man' video|last=Allen|first=Scott|date=May 13, 2014|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 10, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215080221/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/05/13/the-top-10-moments-of-the-bullets-you-the-man-video/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the Bullets' 1995–96 season Webber suffered a dislocated left shoulder in a preseason game against the [[1995–96 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana Pacers]] on October 21, and opened the season on the injured list. He was activated on November 27, but strained his shoulder against the [[1995–96 New York Knicks season|New York Knicks]] on December 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/02/02/webber-undergoes-surgery-on-injured-left-shoulder/3f4096cd-427c-4025-933c-274bdec81d03/|title=WEBBER UNDERGOES SURGERY ON INJURED LEFT SHOULDER|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 2, 1996|access-date=December 13, 2022|last=Justice|first=Richard}}</ref> 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 seven games) and [[Robert Pack (basketball)|Robert Pack]] (31 games played out of 82). Bright spots of the season included the selection of [[Rasheed Wallace]] in the 1995 NBA draft and the All-Star play of Howard. Howard 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. Center [[Gheorghe Mureșan]] was named Most Improved Player of The Year, averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/year/1996|title=1996 NBA Awards|work=ESPN|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092847/http://www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/year/1996|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bullets improved to {{Win-loss record|w=39|l=43}} but just missed the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1995-96|title=1995-96 NBA Regular Season Standings|work=NBA|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092841/https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1995-96|url-status=live}}</ref>

Washington, boasting the league's tallest player (Mureșan, whose height is {{convert|7|ft|7|in|cm|disp=or}}), two very athletic forwards (Howard and Webber) and one of the league's top point guards ([[Rod Strickland]]), started the 1996–97 season at 22–24. That led to the dismissal of head coach [[Jim Lynam]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-02-06-1997037066-story.html|title=Lynam fired as Bullets coach Unseld: 'It wasn't happening'; Staak will serve as fill-in|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=February 6, 1997|access-date=December 13, 2022|location=Herndon|last=Schmuck|first=Peter|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092842/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-02-06-1997037066-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-10-sp-27331-story.html|title=Bullets Reportedly Have Hired Bickerstaff as Coach|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 10, 1997|access-date=December 13, 2022|agency=The Associated Press|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092841/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-10-sp-27331-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bullets responded, winning 16 of their final 21 games to finish {{Win-loss record|w=44|l=38}}, their best record since 1978–79. The late surge enabled the Bullets to climb within reach of the [[1996–97 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland Cavaliers]] for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. In a win-or-go-home 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1996-97|title=1996-97 NBA Regular Season Standings|work=NBA|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092842/https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=1996-97|url-status=live}}</ref> Whilst the Bullets were swept by the Bulls in the first round, they lost the three games by a total of 18 points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bullets-vs-bulls.html|title=1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Bullets vs. Bulls|work=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092842/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bullets-vs-bulls.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

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. Mureşan dominated the middle and led the NBA in field goal percentage (.599). Washington received contributions from [[Calbert Cheaney]] (10.6 ppg) and [[Tracy Murray]] (10.0 ppg).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1997.html|title=1996-97 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats|work=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908063250/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WSB/1997.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Becoming the Wizards====
[[File:Verizon Center 12-05-2007.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The Wizards moved to the MCI Center (later Verizon Center and then [[Capital One Arena]]) in 1997.]]
In November 1995, owner [[Abe Pollin]] announced he was changing the team's nickname,<ref name=bwchtmnn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K7wfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FNgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1117%2C1048322 |via=Google News Archive  |newspaper=Gadsden Times |location=Alabama |agency=Associated Press |title=Bullets will change nickname |date=November 10, 1995 |page=D4 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226024730/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K7wfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FNgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1117%2C1048322 |url-status=live }}</ref> because ''Bullets'' had acquired violent overtones that had made him increasingly uncomfortable over the years, particularly given the high homicide and [[Gun laws in Washington, D.C.|crime]] rate in the early 1990s in Washington, D.C. The name change was widely and incorrectly believed to be related to the [[Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin|assassination]] of Pollin's longtime friend, [[Prime Minister of Israel|Israeli prime minister]] [[Yitzhak Rabin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/02/why_abe_pollin_went_from_bulle.html|title= Why Abe Pollin went from Bullets to Wizards|website=D.C. Sports Bog |publisher=The Washington Post |first1= Dan |last1=Steinberg  |date=  February 2, 2010 |access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=August 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812071813/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/02/why_abe_pollin_went_from_bulle.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A contest was held to choose a new name and the choices were narrowed to the ''Dragons'', ''Express'', ''Stallions'', ''Sea Dogs'', and the ''Wizards''.<ref name="Peterseim">{{cite news |last=Peterseim |first=Locke |title=Like magic, Wizards' name becomes cool |work=Page 2 Goes to Washington |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/wash/s/closer/020316.html |access-date=July 7, 2006 |archive-date=June 28, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628195135/http://espn.go.com/page2/wash/s/closer/020316.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 15, 1997, the Bullets officially became the Wizards. The new name generated some controversy because "[[Imperial Wizard|wizard]]" is a rank in the [[Ku Klux Klan]], and Washington has a large [[African American]] population.<ref name="Peterseim" />
A new logo was unveiled and the team colors were changed from the traditional red, white and blue to a lighter shade of blue, black and bronze, the same colors as the [[Washington Capitals]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL), also owned by Pollin and changed from red, white and blue before the 1995–96 season. Washington forward [[Juwan Howard]] sat on the committee that decided on the logo design.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bembry |first1=Jerry |title=Wizards officially assume NBA identity Bullets name put to rest; logos, colors are unveiled |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-05-16-1997136067-story.html |website=baltimoresun.com |access-date=January 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128181758/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-05-16-1997136067-story.html |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |date=May 16, 1997}}</ref> That same year the Wizards moved to the then MCI Center ([[Capital One Arena]]), also home to the Capitals and the [[Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball|Georgetown Hoyas men's college basketball team]].<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/general/mciarticles/launch/opening.htm|title=MCI Center Opens Its Doors For Inaugural Game|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 2, 1997|access-date=December 13, 2022|last1=Heath|first1=Thomas|last2=Montgomery|first2=David|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913151743/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/general/mciarticles/launch/opening.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, they became the brother team to the [[Washington Mystics]] of the [[Women's National Basketball Association]], and remained officially thus until 2005 when the Mystics were sold to Lincoln Holdings (headed by [[Ted Leonsis]]), parent company of the Capitals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/news/story?id=2067522|title=Johnson a partner in Lincoln Holdings|work=ESPN|agency=The Associated Press|location=Washington|date=May 25, 2005|access-date=December 13, 2022|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092842/https://www.espn.com/wnba/news/story?id=2067522|url-status=live}}</ref> However, upon the purchase of the Wizards by Leonsis in 2010, the Wizards and Mystics again became sibling teams.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/leonsis_acquisition_100610.html|title=Ted Leonsis-Led Group Completes Acquisition of Washington Wizards|date=June 10, 2010|work=Washington Wizards|access-date=December 13, 2022|publisher=NBA|archive-date=December 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213092847/https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/leonsis_acquisition_100610.html|url-status=live}}</ref>