BASKETBALL
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Melbourne coach Darryl McDonald has repeatedly warned his side about underestimating wooden spoon favourites Wollongong on Friday night at WIN Entertainment Centre.
The Hawks have won just three of 15 games and been widely tipped in betting markets to finish last.
Wollongong's 1997 team has the dubious honour of being the only side in the club's 35-year history to finish at the bottom of the ladder.
None of those facts and figures mean a thing to McDonald, who has guided Melbourne (7-7) to fourth spot since taking over from Chris Anstey one game into the season.
A three-time championship winner as a player, he learned long ago about the dangers of taking so-called lesser teams for granted.
"I believe right now that Wollongong are playing as good as anybody in the league and I know how they play at home, so that's going to be a tough one for us," McDonald said.
"I looked at the percentages and a lot of those guys aren't shooting the ball well, but that means nothing because they've won their last two at home, I know the team and I know the coach.
"They're going to be tough up there and I'm making sure that gets through to our guys. The fact they're in last place doesn't mean anything. They're desperate and we need to add a little bit of urgency and desperation to our game, because I don't think we do at times."
McDonald ranks among the greatest 20 players in NBL history.
The league was made up of 14 teams when he led the North Melbourne Giants to the title in 1994 and has shrunk to just eight.
But the man still known as D-Mac in NBL arenas is convinced the standard is better than ever.
"There are no easybeats no matter where you go," he said.
"Imports were your best players back then. You had to bring in good imports to have a winning team, and over the years the Australians have gotten heaps better.
"Guys who went to play in Europe are coming back to play here. That used to be hard to get but now they're back and that's a good sign. Look at the colleges overseas and all the Australian kids in school over in the States.
"You've also got the recognition of the league from the States. Those NBA teams are not scared to send their Draft picks out here.
"The league is definitely a lot tougher than some people think. You can't just walk into a stadium and get a win. It don't work like that no more."
Melbourne have to back up on Sunday at home against Sydney.