Thursday, October 7th, 2010 at 9:00 am  |  65 responses

Owner: Washington Wizards May Become Bullets Again

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

When it was reported that Washington would soon go back to their old uniforms, there were a few cries that they should also consider re-branding themselves as the Bullets. Well, guess what?

Ted Leonsis, the man in charge of writing the checks at the Verizon Center in D.C. says the name change (and literally, one hundred other things) are all under consideration.

The WaPo reports that it’s part of Leonsis’ effort to pump new life into the stagnant organization:

Leonsis spelled out everything that he has done or plans to do now that he is control, in full detail on his personal blog, Ted’s Take. In a blog post titled, “The Wisdom of Our Crowds – 101 To Do List Final,” Leonsis puts out his “List of 101 Signs of Visible Change,” which includes fans suggestions and what he has done. The list includes such things as “2. Reconnect with Gilbert Arenas” and “59. Install beverage shelf in the men’s restrooms.” But two of the most startling developments in the blog, which should generate considerable excitement among fans were Nos. 28 and 31. What do those say?

28. Change Wizards’ colors back to red, white and blue, which Leonsis said is “In-development.”
31. Change Wizards’ team name to Bullets, which Leonsis said is “Under consideration.”

You should check out the entire list, but returning to red, white and blue and the Bullets is enough to make some people woozy around here.

The time for worrying about political correctness in Washington — on the basketball side of things, anyhow — has apparently come to an end. At the time being, there’s no telling when exactly when Leonsis will attempt to make the name switch, or just how seriously this is being considered.

Got any other brilliant ideas for the engaging Wizards’ boss man? Just hit him up via e-mail.

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  • spit hot fiyah Posted: Oct.7 at 9:05 am
    then we can call Wall and Arenas: Smith and Wesson

  • Saku 39 Posted: Oct.7 at 9:11 am
    @spit Nah, I don’t think that would work; they probably would have to change their nicknames to the Cocoa Brothers or something.

  • Eboy Posted: Oct.7 at 9:14 am
    That would be awesome.

  • twinparadox Posted: Oct.7 at 9:22 am
    after all the trouble involving firearms last year…

  • Z-Man Posted: Oct.7 at 9:26 am
    @twin, exactly why they should re-named the Bullets. They can’t escape it. Wizards is one of the dumbest names ever.

  • ClydeSays Posted: Oct.7 at 9:32 am
    As much as I like the old logo and name, it seems like a bad idea. Doesn’t D.C and Baltimore rate as Top 10 cities for violent crime every year? Plus, the Arenas thing they’re trying to forget??? I don’t like the Wiz name & logo either, but I’m sure they can come up with something better than “Bullets”…

  • Ugh Posted: Oct.7 at 9:34 am
    @Z-Man: Bullets is worse.

  • LDR4 Posted: Oct.7 at 9:48 am
    Saw this story earlier this morning. Would love to see it happen. However, it is doubtful that they would do it. Especially considering what happened to Arenas last year and Stern’s intolerance for violence of any kind even if just a name. I do miss those old Bullets jerseys, though.

  • Tupack Shackur Posted: Oct.7 at 9:50 am
    They should issue Arenas an apology, and hand him some bullets. Imagine the smile on his face then! I can imagine the scene when they give him the jersey: “Washington BULLETS? This some bulllllshit.”

  • Groves Posted: Oct.7 at 9:57 am
    need to keep arenas and get crittenton back to be mascots

  • IAMORANGE4EVER Posted: Oct.7 at 9:58 am
    If Washington can accept the name Redskins, then why not Bullets? Screw political correctness!

  • James the Balla Posted: Oct.7 at 10:00 am
    Bucktown U.S.A …

  • hammer Posted: Oct.7 at 10:03 am
    I hope they do it. And bring back that old skool logo. I luv the idea of teams bringing back their old school colors and logos like the sixers did last yr. I say go 4 it and dam what the naysayers say bout it

  • Poppachino Posted: Oct.7 at 10:08 am
    Im Guessing Gilbert Arena’s is gonna like the name Bullets more than anybody if ya know what i mean.

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.7 at 10:10 am
    It wouldn’t matter DC and BMore would still be violent cities even if the wizards changed to the washington fairies.

  • jumpman3224 Posted: Oct.7 at 10:13 am
    New team mascot…Gilbert Arenas.

  • IAMORANGE4EVER Posted: Oct.7 at 10:15 am
    That’s the truth JTaylor21.

  • IAMORANGE4EVER Posted: Oct.7 at 10:19 am
    KRS ONE for haltime entertainment. La la la la la la la la…la…la…la La la la la la la la la..la..la…la…la. Wa da da dang. Wa da da da dang.

  • MikeC. Posted: Oct.7 at 10:19 am
    I love it! I can rock my Sheed Bullets jersey with pride. To the naysayers, I say….nay!

  • IAMORANGE4EVER Posted: Oct.7 at 10:20 am
    *halftime smh – blame my index finger being 50%

  • Z-Man Posted: Oct.7 at 10:25 am
    They only changed their name in the first place because Abe Polin’s friend was shot, not because of the crime. John Wall nickmame: The speeding bullet

  • PapaBearATL Posted: Oct.7 at 10:28 am
    The Washington Less Lethals! A giant taser or bean bag for the mascot!

  • Robb Posted: Oct.7 at 10:31 am
    That’s Gilbert’s influence right there

  • omphalos Posted: Oct.7 at 10:58 am
    I like this idea, its like Jordan going back to 23 after the 45 period. It wasn’t working for him, and a symbolic change can make all the difference for a player/organisation.

  • Jer Dawg Posted: Oct.7 at 10:59 am
    Changing to “Bullets” is a slap to Gilbert arenas’ face if he’s still with organization. I respect the owner’s to-do list in reconnecting with Arenas, but that team name change, smh.

  • remo williams Posted: Oct.7 at 11:05 am
    wow… some of the things on this list are REALLY funny 19. More organ music – More organ music
    20. Eliminate the “Dee-Fence” chant – Eliminated
    39. Warmer pizza – Turned up heat in ovens
    43. Colder beer – Turned up the cooling system HE ELIMINATED THE DEFENSE CHANT!!

  • logues Posted: Oct.7 at 11:32 am
    damn, wish i still had my chris webber jersey from back in elementary school

  • hammer Posted: Oct.7 at 11:47 am
    Wish I still had my howard bullets jersey. Still got my mj bullets jersey tho. I know a lot of people dog on it. Even me 2 a certain extent. But hey,its something @ least

  • Jumper Posted: Oct.7 at 11:57 am
    @Saku, May be too far down the list to acknoledge this now, but That reply was genious! I wish more hip hop heads got that!

  • The Nupe Posted: Oct.7 at 12:01 pm
    I like the idea of a name change, but not to bullets. Maybe if they intended to go back to Baltimore then a name that begins with ‘B’ fits, but bullets? really. I think they should have a naming competition and see what the fans really want, with all the violence etc, Bullets may be offensive to masses – regardless of political correctness. I say they should go for a name like the Washington Wildcats or Wildebeest or Wolverines (althogh not a fan of U of M). Wizards was a stupid name, Bullets just isn’t a good idea.

  • Alan Posted: Oct.7 at 12:15 pm
    They should be named Washington Guns, or Washington Young Guns, or (my favourite) go back to the original Baltimore/Washington Bullets!!! I always like to take pride in history, and if that’s the team’s name, IT IS. I mean, if they changed my hometown’s soccer team’s name it would be soooooo weird… but then again here teams don’t change their city…
    BTW political correctness is BS. Specially when applied to real life…

  • Jdubbs Posted: Oct.7 at 12:37 pm
    Leonsis is awesome. Can you imagine if the Clippers put up something like that list? By the way, Wall and Arenas already are called Batman and Robin, according to Gil himself. As in “Holy incapacitation Batman! My knee is weak and my contract crushing this franchise…must…hold on…”

  • Jumper Posted: Oct.7 at 12:44 pm
    to be fair, the defense chant wasnt really working out. Perhaps he can instate an Offense Chant. Or a “We’ll get em’ next year” chant

  • mattf23 Posted: Oct.7 at 12:51 pm
    They never should have changed in the first place. I hope they go back

  • Anon E Mouse Posted: Oct.7 at 12:53 pm
    Every time Agent Zero scores from outside arc, the announcer lets off a 3 gun salute BRRRRRRAAAP, BRRRRRRAAAP, BLAAAAOOOW! And cot damn if JTaylor21 didn’t say something sensible!

  • chazz michael michaels Posted: Oct.7 at 12:56 pm
    they will still suck

  • Yknot Posted: Oct.7 at 1:01 pm
    If we don’t get a team or at least a few exhibition games back in Baltimore we don’t care what they change their name to!

  • Vish Posted: Oct.7 at 1:14 pm
    Reverting back to the Bullets will be cool. Maybe a name change will bring about an attitude change as well…for being the wizards, there has hardly been any magic the past few seasons. I got the Bullets MJ jersey framed alongwith the others…its MJ, can’t hate on it red white blue is fine but please no stripes!

  • BossTerry Posted: Oct.7 at 1:21 pm
    I always liked the Bullets (name and logo) and thought it was stupid when the changed it.. I didnt read the story but have a feeling that they are hoping to make some $ off sales of new (old) jerseys and other marketing items.. And yes, they still will suck.. At least they’ll suck in cooler looking jerseys..

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.7 at 1:40 pm
    Hell yeah!

  • tapion786 Posted: Oct.7 at 1:45 pm
    so down for the bullets

  • V youngin Posted: Oct.7 at 2:34 pm
    good I hope this happens……….now all we need is for the thunder to change their name back to the Supersonics….lol

  • Double J Posted: Oct.7 at 2:42 pm
    Quite fitting considering Arenas and all…

  • cdrumz Posted: Oct.7 at 3:22 pm
    Do it, do it.

  • Dutch Rich Posted: Oct.7 at 3:55 pm
    Then they should get a jamaican PA announcer yelling “bullet,bullet, bullet” after every bucket….

  • DC87 Posted: Oct.7 at 3:56 pm
    FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Oct.7 at 4:43 pm
    MORE COWBELL…………………. …. ..bullets name is fine, no one ever died from a sports team name. Bulls kill people, warriors kill people, rockets blow shtt up, heat burns people, bobcats hurt people, hornets sting, wolves kill people. Teds list is great. And with gil moving to the two, he will be described as a sharp shooter and/or gunslinger at least a few times a year.

  • PlanetAsia14 Posted: Oct.7 at 6:33 pm
    Bullets jerseys are so much cooler than the Wizards one’s… DO IT.

  • BE.water Posted: Oct.7 at 6:40 pm
    Daps to @Saku for the Hip Hop reference!

  • LA Huey Posted: Oct.7 at 7:39 pm
    @Tarzan, your forgot about the “Raiders”, “Vikings”, and “Buccaneers”.

  • dmoore Posted: Oct.7 at 8:27 pm
    who cares if a team is named after ammunition, you all should be angry about the washington REDSKINS,that’s f*ck*d up, racism is ok, but bullets are evil? hell nah

  • Eduardo Posted: Oct.7 at 9:08 pm
    doesn’t make sense after all the firearm drama of last year.

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Oct.7 at 9:20 pm
    Huey, I was stickn with nba teams. I personally detest notre dame ‘fighting irish’. Im irish, and think its incredibly racist. A lil leprechaun lookn dude with knucks up? Hell no. Just an example of racism against irish people thats been going on in this country for hundreds of years. The worst part is everyone knows racism against black, latinos, asains, etc is bad, but no one thinks twice or cares about racism against the irish. St patricks day is the worst, crackers come out of the woodwork to celebrate being irish, even tho they dont know where theyre from or anything. Those ones are the iwish.

  • cash Posted: Oct.7 at 10:17 pm
    Washington Free Masons

  • Jono Posted: Oct.7 at 11:29 pm
    wizards is a pretty dumb name. hi i’m a wizard.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Oct.7 at 11:39 pm
    Wizards are looking good lately, they’ve got some really solid players right now. Yi and Blatche are a nice frontcourt (McGee too I guess). Arenas and Wall is a crazy backcourt as well. Can’t wait to see what these guys can put together without Butler and Jamison.

  • Alexg Posted: Oct.7 at 11:41 pm
    Tooooo ironic for gilbert

  • Maya Laku Posted: Oct.8 at 12:31 am
    Hahahaha Man this is irony in its finest! And by the way,i think they should do it,besides,the redskins pissed off alot of native americans and yet they let them keep their name,hypocrisy isn’t it?Some times poilitical correctness can get very annoying.

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Oct.8 at 1:05 am
    Teddy, u forgot josh howard and al thornton. Ive said they will make the playoffs

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Oct.8 at 1:17 am
    Agreed.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Oct.8 at 1:18 am
    Also kind of agree with the Fighting Irish.. Never really thought of it like that.

  • Pindajung Posted: Oct.8 at 1:15 pm
    OMG OMG OMG!!! I got a copy!!!! 55 freakin € and another 45€ for a new controller but i dont care this is gonna be awesome! First im gonna kill it with MJ, then i will rock the L with the great Wall of Washington and fire threes with agent 9mm, then i’m gonna take a look at My Player. Seriously.. I dont even know if i will have enough time to play online before the freakin playoffs… But before all that i need to change pants…..no seriously.. I spilled sauce on them during lunch. Goodbye gf, good bye friends family and work till next summer!

  • Scott Carter Posted: Oct.9 at 10:28 am
    Try this name: WASHINGTON COMRADS. involves the military theme and isnt too corny or violent. What you guys think??

  • james Posted: Oct.9 at 6:12 pm
    Bullets was a great name and Wizards never did it for me. Stern will never let it happen. Go Les Boullez!

  • Steve Posted: Oct.18 at 3:30 pm
    You assholes, is just a nick name and the Bullets are the name that we grew up with. I’m more offended with wizards like in grand wizards of the KKK. Bring back the bullets that is the name and it has nothing to do with crime you fools

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