The Minnosota Timberwolves joined the National Basketball Association for the 1989-90 season as part of a two-phase expansion league. The teams that were also part of this expansion were the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, and Chorolette Hornets. (Walter 1) Two local businessmen Harvey Rutner, who were friends from youth, brought professional basketball back to the Twin Cities by purchasing the Minnosota Timberwolves. They made their fortunes in health club chains and real estate. They made offers to purchase other professional teams before purchasing the Timberwolves, but these deals fell through. (1) Bill Musselman was named head coach of the Minnosota Timberwolves on August 23, 1988. Bill Musselman had led the University of Minnosota to a Big Ten conference championship in the 1971-72 season. He also had four consecutive CBA championship teams. (1) The Minnosota Timberwolves were not the NBA's first professional team, however. The Minneopolis Lakers of the early 1950s were a dominant team of that era. The team was led by George Mikan, one of the NBA's first great centers. The Minneoplis Lakers soon after their great success moved and became the LA Lakers.(1) The Minnosotta Timberwolves made their NBA debut on November 3, 1989 playing against the Seatle Supersonics in Seattle. The Timberwolves starting lineup on this day was SamMichell, Todd Murphy, Brad Lohaus, Tony Campbell and Sidney Lowe. Sam Michell scored the first 2 points in club history on a pair of free throws and also scored the first field goal a few minutes later in the game. The Timberwolves then lost this game by a final score of 106 to 94. (1) In December of their first season they opened strong by defeating Cleavland by 27 points. Then their momentum slowed and they lost nine straight games. Even though they lost games, they had a tight defense and ranked fifth in the NBA defensive rating.(2) In February the Timberwolves had a record of six and seven. The Timberwolves also went on a four-game winning streak. Tony Campbell set a club scoring record by scoring 44 points in a game. (2) The Timberwolves began their 1990-91 season playing at the newly built Target Center.