Andy mueller

The Shadow Heat are well aware of the unique group that preceded them, the secret society of players stashed away by Pat Riley and the team’s developmental staff during the months when all other eyes are on the stars of the NBA playoffs. So before the Heat regulars have taken the court for pregame warmups these past six weeks, and after those players exit shootaround, the Shadow Heat take their turns. It is a little trick that Riley, Andy Elisburg, Adam Simon and the mainstays of the Heat front office have mastered for years, adding players late in a season with an eye toward potential summer-league breakouts. The predecessors include the likes of Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, Omer Yurtseven, all quietly turning behind-the-scenes work in May and June into summer-league career takeoff points. This time around, prospects such as Mychal Mulder, Javonte Smart and Haywood Highsmith have been tagging along, soon to get their own spotlight in July summer leagues in San Francisco … [Read more...] about Shadow Heat already getting head start for summer and beyond (Will one be the next Yurtseven?)