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Last season, current Atlanta Hawks' assistant coach Taylor Jenkins (then serving as head coach of the Austin Toros) turned up during the affiliated San Antonio Spurs' postseason run, lending a helping hand in a variety of ways down the stretch.
Having such coaches assist the NBA affiliates at this point in the year is an increasingly popular trend. Even the two-time defending champions are doing it.
According to a report, Skyforce head coach Pat Delany and assistant Octavio De La Grana are both expected to help the affiliated Heat through the rest of the team's playoff run. See below:
Of [Justin] Hamilton, Sioux Falls Skyforce coach Pat Delany, the former Heat scout, said, "It's nice to see the coaches recognize how much he meant to our team." Octavio De La Grana, the Heat scout who assisted Delany this season in Sioux Falls, is back working with the Heat during the playoffs, with Delany expected to join the Heat this postseason, as well. This was the Heat's first season with the Skyforce as their single-team D-League affiliate, with De La Grana noting he and Delany were able to experience one of the coldest Sioux Falls winters in memory.
Though eventual D-League champion Conner Henry of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants ended up (deservedly so) taking home Coach of the Year honors, Coach Delany was RidiculousUpside.com's nominee for such an award.
To hear Coach Delany discuss his first season in Sioux Falls, check out his appearance on a RU podcast from earlier this season by clicking here.