Baltimore Bullets (1944–1954) Explained

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Baltimore Bullets
Founded:1944
Folded:1954
History:Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1944–1947
Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1947–1949
Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1949–1954
Arena:Baltimore Coliseum
City:Baltimore, Maryland
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League Champs:2
ABL: 1946
BAA/NBA: 1948

The Baltimore Bullets were a professional basketball team based in Baltimore. The Bullets competed in the American Basketball League (1944–1947), the Basketball Association of America (1947–1949), and (following the BAA's merger with the National Basketball League) the National Basketball Association (1949–1954). On November 27, 1954, the team folded with a 3–11 record on the season,[1] making the Bullets the last NBA franchise to fold.[2] Out of all defunct NBA teams, the Bullets were members of the association for the longest time and the only defunct team to win a championship.[3]

The Bullets name was revived in 1963, when the former Chicago Zephyrs relocated to Baltimore; even after these Bullets relocated to Washington in 1973, they kept their name for 24 more years until they were renamed the Wizards.

Franchise history

ABL (1944–1947)

The Baltimore Bullets began play in 1944 as an American Basketball Association (ABL) team. The Bullets acquired their name in reference to the Phoenix Shot Tower.[4] [5] In the ABL, Baltimore reached the championship round all three seasons, winning the ABL title in 1946. The Bullets won a division title in 1947, but forfeited that season's championship in favor of playing in the World Professional Basketball Tournament (the Bullets' second appearance in the tournament).

BAA/NBA (1947–1954)

The Bullets moved to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1947, and won the 1948 championship over the Philadelphia Warriors (now Golden State Warriors). In 1949, the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL), and became the National Basketball Association (NBA).[6] The Bullets struggled on the court after their championship season, and never posted another winning record. In 1954, Ray Felix won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and became the second African-American to be named an All-Star. Felix was traded to the Knicks on September 17, 1954, and on November 27, the Bullets became the last NBA franchise to fold.

Season-by-season records

ABL championsBAA/NBA championsDivision championsPlayoff berth
SeasonLeagueDivisionFinishWinsLossesWin%GBPlayoffsAwards
1944–45 — 4th 14 16 8Won First Round (Tigers) 2–1
Lost ABL Championship (SPHAs) 1–2
1945–46 ABL — T-1st 21 13 — Won Tiebreaker (SPHAs) 1–0
Won First Round (Gothams) 2–0
Won ABL Championship (SPHAs) 3–1
1946–47 ABL South 1st 31 3 — Won First Round (Gothams) 2–1
Forfeited ABL Championship (Tigers)
bgcolor=#fccBAA 2nd 28 20 1 bgcolor=#fccWon Division Tiebreaker (Stags) 1–0
Won First Round (Knicks) 2–1
Won BAA Semifinals (Stags) 2–0
Won BAA Finals (Warriors) 4–2
BAA 3rd 29 31 9 Lost Division Semifinals (Knicks) 1–2
Eastern 5th 25 43 26
NBA Eastern 5th 24 42 16
NBA Eastern 5th 20 46 20
NBA Eastern 4th 16 54 31 Lost Division Semifinals (Knicks) 0–2
NBA Eastern 5th 16 56 28 Ray Felix (ROY)
NBA Eastern N/A 3 11 N/A

Notes

List of notable personnel

Players

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Coaches

Basketball Hall of Fame members

Baltimore Bullets Hall of Famers
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
26
6
14 		Buddy Jeannette1 1947–1950 1994
Coaches
Name Position Tenure Inducted
Head coach 1952–1954 1968
Notes:

Draft

YearLgPlayerCollege
1954NBAFrank SelvyFurman University
1954NBASlick LeonardIndiana University
1954NBAWerner KillenLawrence Institute of Technology
1954NBABurt SpiceUniversity of Toledo
1954NBALou ScottIndiana University
1954NBABob HeimXavier University
1954NBAJoe PehanickSeattle University
1954NBAHarry BrooksSeton Hall University
1954NBARon GoerrsConcord College
1954NBAGary ShiversUniversity of Houston
1954NBAElliot KarverGeorge Washington University
1953NBARay FelixLong Island University
1953NBAJack CarbyKansas State University
1953NBABob EmmercikClarion University of Pennsylvania
1953NBARuss Johnson
1953NBABob Kraback
1953NBADennis MurphyGeorgetown University
1953NBAPaul NolenTexas Tech University
1953NBABob PetersonUniversity of Oregon
1953NBAJoe Piorkowski
1953NBAConnie ReaCentenary College of Louisiana
1953NBABill SchymanDePaul University
1953NBAHerman SledzikPennsylvania State University
1953NBABob SpeightNorth Carolina State University
1953NBADon Stemmerich
1953NBAElmer TolsonEastern Kentucky University
1953NBAEdward Walsh
1952NBAJim BaechtoldEastern Kentucky University
1952NBABlaine DenningLawrence Institute of Technology
1952NBAChuck GrigsbyUniversity of Dayton
1952NBAFrank GuisnessUniversity of Washington
1952NBABill LeaMissouri State University
1952NBAMike MagulaYoungstown State University
1952NBABud PenwellOklahoma City University
1952NBABob PetersonUniversity of Oregon
1952NBAArt PressWestern Maryland College
1952NBABob PriddyNew Mexico State University
1952NBABenny PurcellMurray State University
1952NBAJim WalshStanford University
1951NBAGene MelchiorreBradley University
1951NBAJack StoneKansas State University
1951NBABill MannBradley University
1951NBABill HaglerUniversity of California
1951NBALeroy IshmanAmerican University
1951NBAGlen DugginsUniversity of Utah
1951NBATom RiachUniversity of Southern California
1951NBABill HarperOregon State University
1951NBABob CroweSan Jose State University
1951NBADan TorreyOregon State University
1951NBAClem PavilonisDePaul University
1951NBAJohn BurkeSpringfield College
1950NBADon RehfeldtUniversity of Wisconsin
1950NBAJohn PilchUniversity of Wyoming
1950NBADick DickeyNorth Carolina State University
1950NBAJerry ReedUniversity of Wyoming
1950NBANorm MagerCity College of New York
1950NBARick HarmanKansas State University
1950NBAFrank ComerfordLa Salle University
1950NBAGeorge BushUniversity of Toledo
1950NBAJack LaubUniversity of Cincinnati
1950NBAMike ZedalisLoyola College in Maryland
1949BAARon LivingstoneUniversity of Wyoming
1949BAAPaul GordonUniversity of Notre Dame
1949BAABill EvansDrake University
1949BAATom GallagherSt. Francis College
1949BAAJim McMullenXavier University
1949BAAEppa RixeyKenyon College
1949BAARoger WileyUniversity of Oregon
1949BAABill ZippleLafayette College
1948BAAWalt BudkoColumbia University
1948BAAJim BlackOccidental College
1948BAADarrell BrownHumboldt State University
1948BAARobert CarrollWest Virginia University
1948BAAJake CarterEast Texas State University
1948BAAMarvin EnglishNewberry College
1948BAAGene FellmothWittenberg University
1948BAAJ.W. FullertonArkansas State University
1948BAAMarshall GemberlingLebanon Valley College
1948BAAVince HansenWashington State University
1948BAAJoe HollandUniversity of Kentucky
1948BAAWayne JonesAmerican International College
1948BAADan KrausGeorgetown University
1948BAAHerb KrautblattRider University
1948BAAPaul MarcincinMoravian College
1947BAALarry KillickUniversity of Vermont
1947BAARobert BolyardUniversity of Toledo
1947BAAElmer GainerDePaul University
1947BAAHarry GallatinTruman State University
1947BAAScotty HamiltonWest Virginia University
1947BAAHugh HamptonHigh Point University
1947BAABob JakeUniversity of Vermont
1947BAACharles RaynorUniversity of Houston
1947BAAChick ReiserNew York University
1947BAAJohn RusinkoPennsylvania State University
[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: Bullets Fold For Season. November 27, 1954. The Daily Chronicle. May 27, 2018. Centralia, Washington. 5. subscription .
  2. https://www.allaboutbasketball.us/basketball-history/nba-teams-that-dont-exist-anymore.html#:~:text=Baltimore%20Bullets%20was%20the%20last,during%201954%2D55%20season). NBA Teams that don’t Exist anymore
  3. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ NBA & ABA team index
  4. News: Vecsey. George. Sports of The Times;Say Goodbye To 'Bullets' As Nickname. The New York Times. January 28, 2018. November 12, 1995.
  5. News: Lee. Michael. Former Wizards owner Irene Pollin wouldn't have a problem with name changing back to Bullets. February 2, 2018. The Washington Post. December 24, 2011.
  6. News: NBL, BAA merge, end pro net war . 21 June 2024 . . . . 4 August 1949 . 11 . Newspapers.com.
  7. News: GEARS DEFEATED BY BALTIMORE IN EXHIBITION TEST . . 28 . December 22, 1946.
  8. News: Howard Rosan, basketball pro. March 26, 2018. The Philadelphia Inquirer. September 5, 1976. 34.
  9. Web site: Baltimore Bullets Draft Picks Basketball-Reference.com. Basketball-Reference.com. en. November 17, 2018.

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