Miami Heat

The Miami HEAT came into the NBA for the 1988-89 season as part of a two-phase league expansion that also included the Orlando Magic, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Charlotte Hornets. After spending its first few years in the cellar, the franchise began to make progress thanks to a series of shrewd draft selections. Although the HEAT failed to achieve a winning season during their first five campaigns, the team stayed close to the break-even point and made it into the playoffs faster than any of its expansion peers.