BULLETS MAY HAVE A NEW NAME COME SUMMER

     Citing "sensitivity to the number of gun-related deaths in
the area," Bullets Owner Abe Pollin said yesterday that he will
decide this summer whether to change the name of his team.
Although he has made no final decision, Pollin's comments suggest
he is "leaning toward dropping the name" the franchise has had
for the past 31 years.  Pollin:  "In the old days, our motto was
'Faster than a speeding Bullet.'  Today the connotation is a
little different."  Pollin said he has "no preference" for a new
nickname and is "uncertain" of a timetable for a change.  If
there is a change, however, it would most likely be for the '96-
97 season when the proposed new downtown DC arena is scheduled to
open.  Bullets officials reportedly "favor" a new name because it
would continue the "widespread facelift" that began with the
arena plans and the signings of Chris Webber and Juwan Howard
(Richard Justice, WASHINGTON POST, 5/2).