Hawks' Dramatic Slide From Champions to Strugglers
The Illawarra Hawks are facing a stark reality check as their NBL title defence crumbles. This time last year, the team boasted a impressive 7-4 win/loss record heading into the FIBA break. Fast forward twelve months, and the Hawks are languishing near the bottom of the ladder with a concerning 4-8 record as they prepare for Friday night's crucial showdown against Melbourne United at WIN Entertainment Centre.
Adelaide Defeat Highlights Persistent Problems
The Hawks' struggles were painfully evident during Wednesday night's 97-85 loss to Adelaide 36ers. Despite a promising first half that saw Illawarra lead 49-44 at halftime, the team collapsed after the main break. A disappointing third quarter sparked by Bryce Cotton's masterclass saw the reigning NBL MVP torch the Hawks for 31 points and 13 assists, despite playing through illness.
While Tyler Harvey led Hawks scoring with 21 points and QJ Peterson contributed 19 points, including five from seven three-point attempts, the team's inconsistency proved costly. JaVale McGee had a shooting night to forget, making only four of his 18 field goal attempts, though he still managed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Tatum's Daunting Challenge Ahead
Coach Justin Tatum didn't mince words about the mountain his team must climb. "I think that if you get around that 16 or 17 mark, it could get you in the top six, but it won't help if you keep losing games," Tatum told ACM. The coach acknowledged that to secure even a play-in spot, the Hawks would need to win 12 or 13 of their remaining 20 games - a dramatic drop from last season's record-breaking 20-9 campaign.
Tatum pinpointed his team's inability to maintain performance across four quarters as the core issue. "Adelaide played four quarters and we just played two really good ones," he lamented after the Adelaide defeat. "Once my team just plays for four quarters, they play for four quarters and they give us a chance to win any game."
Captain Tyler Harvey echoed his coach's concerns about consistency and shot selection. "We have spurts where we win a couple games and we go back to [bad habits]," Harvey said. "So we're just trying to find that baseline of Hawks basketball and putting it together for four quarters. Every single game for us is tough. We've had a tough go this whole year and wins are so valuable."
The Hawks now face a must-win situation against Melbourne United on Friday night. A victory would see them enter the FIBA break at 5-8, while a loss would drop them to 4-9, making their playoff prospects increasingly bleak. With the team's season hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on whether Tatum can indeed stop the rot and resurrect the Hawks' faltering campaign.
