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.
The campaign to install an NBA franchise in Miami began in the mid-1980s. The two main movers were Zev Buffman, a producer of stage extravaganzas, and Billy Cunningham, an NBA Hall of Famer and successful head coach. In 1987 the NBA voted to expand by four teams. Charlotte and Miami were admitted for the 1988-89 season after paying an entry fee of $32.5 million apiece, and Orlando and Minnesota came aboard the following year.
Miami's front-office strength lay in the basketball savvy of part-owner Cunningham. After a distinguished college career at the University of North Carolina, he had been a first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers. He played 11 years with the Sixers and with the Carolina Cougars of the American Basketball Association, was named to the 1966 NBA All-Rookie Team, made four All-NBA squads, and in 1972-73 was named Most Valuable Player in the ABA. In 1977 Cunningham became head coach of the 76ers. During his career he compiled a 454-196 record for a .698 winning percentage. He guided the team to three NBA Finals and an NBA championship in 1982-83.