First Game Played October 19, 1961
Last Game Played March 16, 1963
Moved to Baltimore in 1963
Historical Moments
1961/62:The NBA returned to Chicago after 11 years after the Stags, who made it to the first championship series folded. The new team, known as the Packers, who are the first expansion team to join the NBA in 12 years, were not very good as they finished in last place with an awful 18-62 record. However, first-round draft pick Walt Bellamy became an instant star winning the Rookie of the Year while finishing second to Wilt Chamberlain with an impressive 31.6 ppg, and finishing third in rebounds to Chamberlain and Bill Russell with a 19.0 per game.
1962/63:For their 2nd season the team changed its name to Zephyrs, but did not do much better finishing in last place again with a record of 25-55. Once again, the Zephyrs would draft well salting Terry Dischinger, who won the Rookie of the Year with a solid 25.5 ppg. The Zephyrs had the seed for a solid contender with back-to-back Rookie of the year winners Bellamy and Dischinger. However, Chicago Fans would not get a chance to see it bear fruit as the team moved to Baltimore following the season.
1963-1966:After the Zephyrs left for Baltimore, it would not take long for the NBA to return to the 2nd City as the expansion Chicago Bulls joined the NBA in 1966. The Bulls would finally go on to bring successful Professional Basketball to Chicago, winning six titles in eight years in the ’90s with Michael Jordan, who is widely considered the best player who ever lived.
Arenas
Chicago International Amphither 1961/62 | Chicago Coliseum 1962/63 |
Players
Ralph Davis, 1961/62 | Barney Cable, 1961/62, 1962/63 | Walt Bellamy, 1961-1963 1962 Rookie of the Year | Bob “Slick” Leonard, 1961-1963 | Woody Sauldsberry, 1961-1963 | Terry Dischinger, 1962/63 1963 Rookie of the Year |
Charles Hardnett, 1962/63 |