Defending Champions Face Uphill Battle
The Illawarra Hawks' NBL championship defence is hanging by a thread as the team heads into the FIBA break with a concerning 4-9 record. Despite boasting MVP-calibre talent and proven championship DNA, the Hawks have left themselves a mountain to climb in their remaining 20 games just to secure a play-in spot.
Stars Shine Despite Team Struggles
While the team's performance has been underwhelming, individual players have delivered standout performances. Will Hickey has made history as the first player since Rashad Tucker in 2004 to record 7+ rebounds and 7+ assists in six consecutive games. In their last-start loss to Melbourne United, Hickey contributed 18 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
Meanwhile, import JaVale McGee has been better than advertised, dominating in the paint and bringing a level of interior presence the Hawks haven't seen in years. McGee leads the NBL in blocked shots (2.0 per game), ranks second in rebounds (10.5 per game) and sits fourth in scoring (21.5 points per game).
Coach Justin Tatum acknowledged changes are needed during the break, pointing to the return of injured players as potential catalysts for improvement. Jonah Bolden has returned to the fold, while championship-winning centre Sam Froling is expected back in early January from his ruptured Achilles injury.
Bench Production Drops Significantly
One of the major differences between this season and last year's championship campaign has been the lack of production from the bench. During their title run, the Hawks regularly received crucial points from role players like Hyunjung Lee, Lachlan Olbrich and Darius Days - all of whom have since departed.
Even veteran Todd Blanchfield's numbers are down on what he produced last season. The arrival of new import QJ Peterson is hoped to address this issue moving forward.
The Hawks now face the daunting task of potentially needing to win 12 or 13 of their remaining 20 games to secure a top-six position and keep their championship defence alive.
