Sioux Falls, SD
Athletic organizations often refer to themselves as a family and that's exactly how the Miami Heat are treating the Skyforce after forming a hybrid partnership with the Sioux Falls D-League franchise. Monday, the NBA champions introduced two long-time Heat employees as the Force's new head coach and general manager, and they're excited to get started.
After years with the Miami Heat, Pat Delany and Adam Simon are ready for a new opportunity. Delany will take over as head coach of the Skyforce while Simon will be the GM.
"We see it as an extension of the Heat basically. This is our farm team. This is our developmental squad. It's basically the Miami Heat in Sioux Falls," Simon said.
While both men's goal is to make sure their work supports the continued success of the Heat, they know their close relationships with Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra could help them in Sioux Falls as well - meaning more players could be assigned to the Force's roster.
"First and foremost, we all know, whatever is best for the Heat and best for coach 'Spo' (Erik Spoelstra) I'm totally on board with. But if he doesn't mind doing that as well, I'm not going to fault him for it or complain about it at all. He's been a great mentor to me, taught me so much, not only basketball but life itself. I know I wouldn't be here or have this opportunity without him," Delany said.
Well-versed in how the Heat do business on the court, Delany says the Skyforce's style of play will be a mirror-image of Miami.
"The best teams can play big. They can play small. They can play fast. They can play slow. Obviously we'll have our style of play but it will be my job to make those adjustments over the course of games depending on the opponent and how we want to play. I had an opportunity to do that this summer in summer league as an assistant coach and I loved every second of it," Delany said.
Delany is the 16th head coach in the Skyforce history. He spent the past six years as an advance scout for the Heat and has been with the organization for 11 years.
News
General
Courts
Web Only
Crime
Outdoors
Events Center
Non-Homepage
Boredom Busters
Pipeline
Positively KELOLAND
Technology
Hunger
Affordable Care Act
Shops
Flooding
Remembering 9/11
Drought
JazzFest
Spring Storm
Honor Flight
Spencer Anniversary
Copper Lounge Collapse
Hidden History
Founder's Day
Eclipse
Holiday
Custer Fire
Pheasant Fest
DoApp
Health News
Business News
Sports
Agriculture
Markets
Livestock
Crops
Politics
HealthBeat
Cancer
Children's Health
Heart Health
Wellness & Nutrition
General
Health Beat
Women's Health
RX Resources
What's Going Around
OTC
Diabetes
Recalls
Dental Health
Men's Health
Politics
South Dakota
Legislature
Budget
Congress
Taxes
General
Local
Campaign
President
US Senate
New Laws
US House
Iowa
Ballot Issues
Local Races
Minnesota
Gubernatorial
Education
Funding
College
Elementary
High School
Pre K
School Supplies
Middle School
Sports
Professional
College
High School
Sports Zone
Headlines
Summit League Tournament
Olympics
Super Bowl
Racing
All Star
Golf
NCAA
Business
Industry
Your Money Matters
Development
Gas & Energy
Legislation
Economy/Stocks
Employment
General
Health Care
Technology
Education Funding
Tourism
Banking/Finance
Housing
Transportation
Insurance
Meetings & Events
Retail & Restaurants
All Industries
On The Move
Shops
Agriculture
Holiday Shopping
Trendigital
Featured Stories
Eye on KELOLAND
Inside KELOLAND
Weather
Snow
Forecast
Records
Rain
Flooding
Drought
WX Corner
General
World News
Investigates
Sponsored
KELOLAND Living
Done
Opening existing...