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) […]
Teams
HeatingUp’s Teams category features basketball content centered on team history, rosters, stats, legends, championships, and head-to-head records across the NBA, WNBA, and college basketball. Browse team pages to explore franchise and program history, notable players, title runs, roster breakdowns, and statistical snapshots across different eras.
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 […]
Best Washington Wizards passers ever
The Washington Wizards franchise has featured some of the NBA’s best pure playmakers across multiple eras, from old-school floor generals to explosive modern point guards. Great passing is about more than assist totals — it includes court vision, pace control, creativity, decision-making, and the ability to elevate teammates. These players […]
Best Utah Jazz passers ever
The Utah Jazz have one of the richest passing traditions in NBA history. From the precision of John Stockton to versatile modern playmakers and elite passing forwards, the franchise has consistently featured high-IQ facilitators capable of orchestrating elite offenses. These players stand out as the greatest passers the Jazz have […]
Best Toronto Raptors passers ever
The Toronto Raptors have featured several elite playmakers throughout franchise history, from traditional point guards who controlled every possession to versatile forwards capable of functioning as offensive hubs. Passing has been central to the franchise’s rise from expansion team to NBA champion, and these players stand out as the greatest […]
Best San Antonio Spurs passers ever
The San Antonio Spurs built one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history through unselfish basketball, precision ball movement, and elite playmaking. From traditional point guards to brilliant passing big men, the franchise has consistently featured some of the smartest facilitators the game has ever seen. 1. Tony Parker Position: […]
Best Sacramento Kings passers ever
The Sacramento Kings franchise — including the Rochester Royals, Cincinnati Royals, and Kansas City Kings eras — has featured some of the greatest playmakers in basketball history. From revolutionary point guards to elite passing big men and flashy modern creators, these players stand out as the best passers the franchise […]
Best Portland Trail Blazers passers ever
The Portland Trail Blazers have featured some of the NBA’s most skilled playmakers, from elite traditional point guards to dynamic scoring guards capable of carrying an offense while facilitating at a high level. Across multiple eras, passing has been a major part of Portland’s identity, and these players stand out […]
Best Phoenix Suns passers ever
The Phoenix Suns have featured some of the greatest offensive orchestrators in NBA history. From legendary point guards who transformed the pace of the game to elite point-forwards and modern offensive engines, passing has long been central to the Suns’ identity. These players stand out as the greatest facilitators in […]
Best Philadelphia 76ers passers ever
The Philadelphia 76ers have featured some of the greatest playmakers in NBA history, from old-school floor generals to modern offensive engines capable of dominating every possession. Across the Syracuse Nationals and Philadelphia eras, these players stand out as the best passers the franchise has ever seen. 1. Maurice Cheeks Position: […]
Best Orlando Magic passers ever
The Orlando Magic have featured several outstanding playmakers throughout franchise history, from elite traditional point guards to versatile forwards capable of running the offense. While the franchise is often associated with dominant big men like Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard, some of the best Magic teams were driven by high-level […]
Best Oklahoma City Thunder passers ever
The Oklahoma City Thunder franchise — including its Seattle SuperSonics history — has featured some of the greatest playmakers in NBA history. From explosive triple-double machines to traditional floor generals and elite two-way guards, these players stand out as the best passers the franchise has ever seen. 1. Russell Westbrook […]
Best New York Knicks passers ever
The New York Knicks have featured some of the greatest playmakers in NBA history, from legendary floor generals of the 1970s championship teams to modern-era guards capable of controlling every possession. Passing has always been central to the Knicks’ best teams, and these players stand out as the franchise’s greatest […]
Best New Orleans Pelicans passers ever
The New Orleans Pelicans have had several elite facilitators throughout their franchise history, dating back to the New Orleans Hornets era. From pure point guards who controlled every possession to versatile wings capable of running the offense, these players stand out as the best passers the franchise has ever seen. […]
Best Minnesota Timberwolves passers ever
The Minnesota Timberwolves have featured several elite playmakers throughout franchise history, from classic point guards to modern point-forwards and versatile offensive engines. The best Timberwolves passers combined vision, creativity, pace control, and the ability to elevate teammates in both transition and half-court offenses. 1. Ricky Rubio Position: Point Guard Years […]
Best Milwaukee Bucks passers ever
The Milwaukee Bucks have featured elite playmakers across multiple eras, from legendary point guards to dominant forwards capable of orchestrating entire offenses. The franchise’s greatest passers combined vision, leadership, transition playmaking, and the ability to elevate teammates on both championship and contender-level teams. 1. Oscar Robertson Position: Guard Years with […]
Best Miami Heat passers ever
The Miami Heat have featured elite playmakers across multiple eras, from dynamic scoring guards to championship-level floor generals and versatile point-forwards. The greatest passers in franchise history combined vision, leadership, pace control, and playoff composure while helping shape some of the NBA’s most successful teams. 1. Dwyane Wade Position: Guard […]
Best Memphis Grizzlies passers ever
The Memphis Grizzlies have featured several outstanding playmakers throughout both the Vancouver and Memphis eras. From elite floor generals to versatile point-forwards, the franchise’s best passers combined court vision, tempo control, creativity, and leadership to elevate the Grizzlies’ offense across multiple generations. 1. Mike Conley Position: Point Guard Years with […]
Best Los Angeles Lakers passers ever
The Los Angeles Lakers have featured many of the greatest playmakers in basketball history, from Showtime legends to modern superstar creators. The franchise’s best passers combined elite vision, transition brilliance, leadership, and the ability to elevate teammates on championship-caliber teams. 1. Magic Johnson Position: Point Guard Years with Lakers: 1979–1991, […]