The Champs Were Here

The last time the Washington Wizards won the NBA title, they were still the Washington Bullets. The year was 1978. Jimmy Carter was president. Washington's team was anchored by 6'7" center Wes Unseld, and 6'9" power forward Elvin Hayes. That year, they had defeated the Seattle Supersonics in seven games giving D.C. its first, and only NBA title. Tonight, the Wizards celebrated the 35th anniversary of the championship team, as the current squad faced the Indiana Pacers on a very nostalgic night at the Verizon Center.

A brand new 1978 championship banner was raised to the rafters during halftime

John Wall's recent play has given Wizards fans reason to believe that another championship won't be too far in the distant future.

Memories abounded during halftime,a s the crowd welcomed out the members of the 1978 championship team. Music from that era blasted through the Verizon Center speakers all night, capturing an era that relatively few young D.C. basketball fans are even aware even existed. 35 years is a long time to go without a title, but some fans are old enough to remember that Bullets team as one that the city was immensely proud of.

Pacers guard Gerald Green takes the jumper

Gerald Green takes it to the rim

Green finishes with the slam over Kevin Seraphin

Wizards forward Trevor Booker and Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough box out for the rebound

Wizards forward Jan Vesely and Pacers forward Jeff Pendergraph wait for the rebound

Vesely and Pendergraph jump for the loose ball

Inspired by the presence of the legendary Bullets stars, the Wizards toppled the pacers by a final score of 104-85 behind an incredible 37 points from John Wall, who may be giving Wizards fans hope that another championship is not too far away, given his recent stellar performances.

Indiana was led by former Georgetown center Roy Hibbert, who scored 25 points and 10 rebounds in his return to the same arena where he played college ball.

The Wizards will travel to Boston to take on the Celtics tomorrow night.