The Minnesota Timberwolves joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989, bringing professional basketball back to Minnesota after the departure of the Lakers nearly three decades earlier. Since their founding, the franchise has had only a few principal ownership groups, with each overseeing a distinct chapter in team history. […]
Mat Diekhake
Posts by Mat Diekhake:
Milwaukee Bucks Owner History
The Milwaukee Bucks entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1968 and quickly became one of the league’s success stories, winning a championship just three years later. Over the decades, the franchise has been guided by a small number of ownership groups, each playing a key role in shaping […]
Miami Heat Owner History
The Miami Heat joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1988 and have become one of the league’s most successful organizations. Unlike many franchises that have changed hands multiple times, the Heat have enjoyed remarkable ownership stability, with only two principal ownership groups in team history. Billy Cunningham, Lewis […]
Memphis Grizzlies Owner History
The Memphis Grizzlies began as the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995 before relocating to Memphis in 2001. Although the franchise has experienced several ownership changes, only a handful of principal owners have guided the team through its history, from its expansion years in Canada to its current status as a competitive […]
Los Angeles Lakers Owner History
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises, tracing their roots to Minneapolis before relocating to Los Angeles in 1960. While the team has enjoyed decades of success, its ownership history has been shaped by a relatively small number of influential owners. (Wikipedia) Ben Berger and […]
Los Angeles Clippers Owner History
The Los Angeles Clippers began as the Buffalo Braves in 1970 before relocating to San Diego in 1978 and Los Angeles in 1984. Throughout the franchise’s history, ownership has changed hands only a few times, with each owner playing a significant role in the team’s evolution. (Wikipedia) Paul Snyder (1970–1976) […]
Indiana Pacers Owner History
The Indiana Pacers were founded in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and later joined the NBA following the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Throughout their history, the franchise has been controlled by a small number of ownership groups, most notably the Simon family, which has overseen […]
Houston Rockets Owner History
The Houston Rockets have changed ownership several times since entering the NBA in 1967 as the San Diego Rockets. While some ownership groups held the team for only a few years, others oversaw defining periods in franchise history, including championship runs and major organizational growth. (Wikipedia) Robert Breitbard (1967–1971) Robert […]
Golden State Warriors Owner History
The Golden State Warriors are one of the NBA’s oldest franchises, and their ownership history reflects the team’s evolution from a regional basketball club into a global sports brand. While several ownership groups have guided the franchise over the decades, only a few individuals or groups have served as principal […]
Detroit Pistons Owner History
The Detroit Pistons have had only a handful of principal owners throughout their history, making their ownership lineage relatively straightforward compared to many professional sports franchises. Fred Zollner (1937–1974) Fred Zollner founded the franchise in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. An industrialist whose company manufactured engine […]
Denver Nuggets Owner History
The Denver Nuggets have undergone several ownership changes since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA). Each ownership group has contributed to the team’s growth, from its ABA roots to its emergence as an NBA championship franchise. James Trindle (1967–1972) James Trindle […]
Dallas Mavericks Owner History
The Dallas Mavericks have experienced relatively few ownership changes since joining the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1980. Each ownership era has helped shape the organization, from its early years to its rise as a championship contender and one of the league’s most recognizable teams. Don Carter (1980–1996) Don […]
Cleveland Cavaliers Owner History
The Cleveland Cavaliers have had relatively few ownership changes since joining the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1970. Each ownership era has played a significant role in the team’s growth, from its early years to its emergence as an NBA champion. Nick Mileti (1970–1980) Nick Mileti founded the Cleveland […]
Chicago Bulls Owner History
The Chicago Bulls have enjoyed remarkable ownership stability throughout their history. Since the franchise was founded in 1966, only a few ownership groups have controlled the team, helping create continuity during some of the most successful periods in NBA history. Dick Klein (1966–1967) Dick Klein founded the Chicago Bulls and […]
Charlotte Hornets Owner History
The Charlotte Hornets franchise has experienced several ownership changes since joining the NBA as an expansion team in 1988. From its original ownership group to the era of Michael Jordan and the current leadership, each owner has played a role in shaping the team’s direction. George Shinn (1988–2002) George Shinn […]
Brooklyn Nets Owner History
The Brooklyn Nets have undergone several ownership changes throughout their history, reflecting the franchise’s evolution from its ABA roots to its position as a major NBA team in New York City. Each ownership era has played a role in shaping the organization’s direction and identity. Arthur J. Brown (1967–1968) Arthur […]
Boston Celtics Owner History
The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful franchises in professional sports, and much of their stability has come from long-term ownership groups. Since the team’s founding in 1946, only a handful of ownership changes have occurred. Walter A. Brown (1946–1964) Walter A. Brown founded the Boston Celtics in […]
Atlanta Hawks Owner History
The Atlanta Hawks have changed hands several times since the franchise relocated to Atlanta in 1968. While coaches, executives, and general managers have played important roles in the team’s development, ownership has largely shaped the franchise’s long-term direction. Tom Cousins (1968–1977) Atlanta real estate developer Tom Cousins purchased the franchise […]
Rori Harmon Profile
Rori Harmon is a relentless floor general whose game is built on pace, defensive intensity, and an instinctive feel for creating opportunities for teammates. Even when the ball isn’t finding the bottom of the net for her, her leadership, disruptive defense, and ability to control the rhythm of a game […]
Amelia Hassett Profile
Amelia Hassett has earned a reputation as a versatile forward who impacts games through intelligent positioning, relentless rebounding, and a polished inside-out skill set. Rather than relying on flashy highlights, she consistently influences winning basketball with smart decision-making, physical toughness, and the adaptability to thrive in a variety of roles […]
Charlise Dunn Profile
Charlise Dunn rarely forces the game, instead picking smart moments to attack, sliding into open space, cutting with purpose, and making the extra rotation that keeps a possession alive. Comfortable filling the gaps rather than chasing the spotlight, the Australian forward brings a steady blend of off-ball awareness, defensive discipline, […]
Taylor Bigby Profile
Taylor Bigby makes defenders work long before she touches the ball, constantly relocating around the perimeter and staying ready to punish even the smallest lapse in coverage. Her game is built on sharp off-ball movement, composed decision-making, and the willingness to embrace difficult defensive assignments, giving every lineup she joins […]
Kokoro Tanaka Profile
Kokoro Tanaka brings calm to possessions that seem ready to unravel, patiently probing until a driving lane opens or a teammate slips free for an easy look. The Japanese guard plays with a measured tempo, sharp pick-and-roll instincts, and an instinctive feel for where the next advantage will appear, making […]
Grace VanSlooten Profile
Grace VanSlooten welcomes contact around the basket, carving out space with strong footwork before finishing through defenders or drawing help that opens passing lanes for others. Whether operating from the low block or facing up from the elbows, she plays with a deliberate rhythm and a physical edge that continually […]
Jessica Timmons Profile
Jessica Timmons has a knack for arriving exactly where the defense doesn’t expect her, slipping into open gaps, extending possessions with timely rebounds, and turning simple reads into productive plays. She rarely rushes possessions, preferring to let the game develop before making decisive cuts, smart passes, or composed finishes that […]
Manuela Puoch Profile
Manuela Puoch never seems rushed, reading the floor a step ahead before threading a pass, attacking a closeout, or drifting into space for a clean catch-and-shoot opportunity. The Australian wing plays with an unselfish rhythm and sharp off-ball instincts, quietly connecting possessions in ways that often become obvious only after […]
Eszter Ratkai Profile
Eszter Ratkai keeps defenders guessing by changing pace instead of simply trying to outrun them, turning hesitation dribbles and patient reads into driving lanes or clean looks for teammates. Her feel for the flow of a possession stands out as much as her scoring instincts, allowing the Hungarian guard to […]
Kejia Ran Profile
Kejia Ran doesn’t waste dribbles, preferring to move the defense with quick decisions, sharp ball movement, and well-timed cuts that create scoring chances before opponents can recover. Watching her over multiple games, what stands out isn’t a single spectacular skill but the steady stream of smart reads and composed choices […]
Jordan Obi Profile
Jordan Obi creates extra possessions through persistence, chasing rebounds outside her area, sprinting the floor in transition, and refusing to give opposing forwards comfortable touches around the paint. There is an edge to the way she competes, combining physical interior play with the awareness to make the simple pass or […]
Lani White Profile
Lani White has the kind of shooting touch that forces defenders to stay attached, but it’s her constant movement before the catch that regularly creates the space she needs. Whether curling off screens, drifting into the corners, or making quick decisions after the ball arrives, she keeps offensive possessions flowing […]
