Revisiting Dan Craig's Days With The Sioux Falls Skyforce
Reportedly set to join the Clippers, Dan Craig's coaching tenure includes a memorable stint as head coach of the 2016 NBA G League champion Sioux Falls Skyforce.
After nearly two decades with the Miami Heat, Dan Craig is reportedly set to join Ty Lue’s Clippers staff as an assistant coach. It’s a move that will not only grant Craig some fresh sets of eyes with a new organization, but also one that places him in one of the NBA’s most starry markets on a team with a championship in its sights.
Perhaps there’s hope that such a migration will help him inch that much closer to the ultimate goal of becoming a head coach in The Association.
Craig is someone who has enjoyed being part of three Heat championships, even coming close to a fourth in the bubble. He’s continued to grow and climb the ladder in South Beach, first emerging as an intern before rising up through the video room to now serving as an assistant coach.
There’s a certain risk to stepping out of your comfort zone and leaving what you know after so long. But this won’t be the first time Craig has bet on himself in such fashion.
During the 2015-16 season, Craig took a detour from his time in Miami in order to take the reins as head coach of the NBA G League affiliated Sioux Falls Skyforce. It quickly proved to be a beneficial one.
"I think this is a great opportunity to grow as a coach, leader, and a person," he explained at the time. "I've been in the NBA for twelve and a half seasons, and have been fortunate to be head coach for the last three years on six different NBA Summer League teams. It was something I really enjoyed; coaching the team, managing your own staff and delegating different tasks. It all comes with being a head coach. This was an opportunity for me to do that over an entire season.”
If that season served as any sort of test, the coach passed with flying colors. The Skyforce rose up as NBA G League champions and Craig led them to a 40-10 regular season record, the best in NBA G League history. He coached Jarnell Stokes to the Most Valuable Player award and DeAndre Liggins to the Defensive Player of the Year award. Rightfully so, Craig himself went on to take home Coach of the Year honors. Interestingly enough, current Clippers forward Rodney McGruder was also on that squad.
Craig added that this role ultimately made him a better NBA assistant in the long run, but it’s worth noting that as a head coach, you’re forced to wear a number of hats and take on a great deal of responsibility. This is especially true at the minor league level. He took a very hands-on approach with the day-to-day operations, interacting with everyone from team owners, trainers, conditioning coaches, etc. There are a lot of relationships to maintain, but Craig made it a priority to make sure everyone was on the same page.
Above all else, Craig recognized the importance of connecting with his players. He respected their strengths, related to their struggles, and helped identify areas of improvement. After all, being in the NBA G League is about preparing for what comes next.
"I think that the next man up mentality is part of it, but we try to get 1% better every day. Everyone has been able to do that so even though we’ve had moving parts, guys have been able to improve in practices and in film sessions so that when they have their opportunity, we’ve still been able to win,” he said.
Craig’s experience as an NBA G League head coach is invaluable, even more so with his proven success. As he moves on to this next opportunity, his time in Miami shouldn’t be overlooked. The organization breeds winners, especially at the coaching and front office levels.
Craig is set to step out from under that umbrella and into the spotlight of Los Angeles. That could very well lead to the head coaching job he covets at this level.