Short of top goal, new-look Force shined

The 25th season in Skyforce history was marked by transition, the franchise turning over its home venue, color scheme, NBA affiliation and basketball operations all at once.

Different can be difficult. But not in this case. The wholesale changes were perceived as largely positive and played out that way.

Sioux Falls ended a four-year playoff drought and reached the semifinals for the first time since 2008. It got considerable help – maybe more than expected – from the Miami Heat in the first year of an exclusive affiliation. The atmosphere and aesthetics at home games were rejuvenated by a move from the Arena to the smaller, cushier Sanford Pentagon.

"I'd really be surprised if there's a better situation out there for a D-League player," guard Tre Kelley said.

He made that statement Sunday morning while en route to Sioux Falls from a bitter semifinal loss to top-seeded Fort Wayne.

In Game 1, the Force blew a 10-point lead in the last 5 minutes on their home court, where they had been 21-6. In Game 2, they no-showed for a half – the Mad Ants led by 29 at the break – and had two players get ejected during a comeback attempt.

"There' s no excuse for it at anytime, whether you're winning or you're losing," coach Pat Delany said. "Emotions are part of the game. We talked about that prior to the series, how important it was going to be to have that mental edge."

On the other hand, it was an illustration of the level of player investment this season. Six guys were with the team in training camp and the postseason, a high number compared to recent years.

What's more, they got after it on defense, leading the league in overall rating most of the season. That became the club's calling card – a rarity in minor-league hoops. A first-time head coach implemented that strategy. Delany had been an advance scout for Miami. He was handpicked to bring to the Force the systems, strategies and culture of the Heat, who also had high-ups – team president Pat Riley and general manager Andy Elisburg, to name two – monitoring from near and far. Both made multiple trips to Sioux Falls.

"You would think Pat was coaching professionally for a while," Kelley said. "Just his determination to get us to work in the different areas we need to win was phenomenal. He prepared us every day. He pushed us every day."

Sioux Falls won 31 games during the regular season, tied for second-most in the 16-team league and its second-most since moving to the D-League in 2006. Also, the Force had two players called up by the Heat – all-stars center Justin Hamilton and forward DeAndre Liggins – and advanced in the postseason for the first time since 2008.

Delany was the picture of calm throughout. He didn't flinch when No. 3 draft pick Quincy Douby left for China one week into the season or when his wife gave birth – in New Jersey – during the second half. In retrospect, Delany wished he had kept a diary of the experience.

"It's not just basketball," he said. "There's so many things you learn on the court, about players and communication and relationships and motivational tactics. I learned so many things that I didn't really even think were part of the game, part of the process."

Delany will take his new talents to South Beach at some point in the next couple weeks to help the Heat in their quest for a third consecutive NBA title. The specifics of what he'll do for them have yet to be determined.

After that, it's on to the NBA Summer League in both Orlando and Las Vegas. And then? Maybe back to Sioux Falls for a second season?

Delany didn't shut the door on that, although big-picture plans of Miami and the well being of his family will be major considerations. The topic likely won't be discussed until the NBA season is complete.

After all, the Force had hoped to be playing for another week, too. Instead, they'll have to settle for the notion that the successes of this season could invigorate the franchise going forward.

"To play in a building like that and have the fans we have and practice there – it helps," he said. "To have that stability ... it had a huge impact on what we were able to accomplish this year."

AT A GLANCE

Saturday: The Skyforce dug an early hole and trailed by 29 points at half before falling to top-seeded Fort Wayne 126-118 in the semifinals.

Record: 31-19 (21-6 at home including playoffs)