General Info

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 strong draft selections. The HEAT failed to achieve a winning season during their first five campaigns, but the team stayed close to the break-even point and made it into the playoffs in the 1991-92 season, faster than any of its expansion peers. In 1995, the team s founder Ted Arison purchased all interests from co-owners Lewis Schaffel and Billy Cunningham, owning 88 percent of the team and famous coach Pat Riley joined as the team s Head Coach along with All-Star Center Alonzo Morning. The team again made the playoffs during the 1995-96 season and has been steadily improving ever since. The team finished for the 2003-2004 season with 42:40 record and with the advent of superstar player Shaquille O Neal the HEAT again finished strong, making it to the playoffs. The HEAT plays at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla.