The NBA needed expansion in the late 1980s, the influx of great players was at a peek, and so the NBA expanded to Miami, Orlando, Minnesota and Charlotte. Three of those teams went on to feel success shortly after expansion Miami making the playoffs after their third year, Charlotte after their 4th year, and Orlando after their 4th year. All had decent success in the playoffs, Orlando even making the NBA finals in 1995, six years after being granted an expansion team. The second fastest to ever do so, only the only the world Champion 1971-72 Bucks did better. But now comes the downside to expansion; The Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves experienced 7 losing seasons before finally making the playoffs. The second longest streak only to be outdone by the New Orleans/Utah Jazz who didn’t go to the post season in their first 9 years of exsistance.

Despite the Wolves shortcomings, the NBA expanded again in 1995-96 to Toronto, and Vancouver. The Raptors showed signs of being a decent team from the start winning 21 games and making it to playoffs in their 4th year. The Grizzlies on the other hand endured season after season of horrible records. Which were promptly followed by bad draft picks and a move to Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies finally made the playoffs in the 03-04 season, eight years after expansion. Now we have the Charlotte Bobcats, who are not only on pace to break the 15-67 records of Miami, Vancouver, San Diego, Cleveland and Dallas. But could be one of the worst teams in NBA history.