Even While Fighting For Playoff Seedings, Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra Keeping An Eye On Sioux Falls Skyforce

While the Miami Heat are fighting for a playoff spot, coach Erik Spoelstra has kept his eyes on their G-League team in Sioux Falls.

After missing the playoffs every year since winning the championship in 2016, the Skyforce are back in it today against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. This is the first playoff appearance under coach Kasib Powell.

“It’s been outstanding, all across the border,” Spoelstra said. “Kasib and his staff have just done an amazing job steading the ship. There’s been a lot of moving parts there. They kept everyone on track and dealt with all the different lineups and call-ups and stayed the course and developed a culture. Developed a system, developed a way of playing and identity that they can commit to.”

The Skyforce defeated the Salt Lake City Stars and Stockton Kings in the first two rounds.

“It’s been fun,” Spolestra continued. “This whole process has been really fun to just see since Summer League to training camp to regular season and now to the playoffs. They earned these opportunities. They’re enjoying it and it’s just really cool they earned homecourt. Sioux Falls will be rocking, those will be fun”.

Omer Yurtseven and Jamal Cain, who made a combined total of 21 appearances with the Heat this season, led the Skyforce to a 20-12 record.

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE