They are being written off, counted out and have their backs against the wall.
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And that’s just how they like it.
The Illawarra Hawks make their hometown debut on Sunday at the WIN Entertainment Centre for the 2017-18 National Basketball League season.
The Hawks face Brisbane after starting the season with three straight losses.
It’s been a tough opening to the season for the Hawks in more ways than one.
They almost broke a record home streak by the Cairns Taipans to start the season in Cairns and then faced a tough road double the next week against Perth and then Sydney.
Yet, there can be no excuses.
The Hawks have simply not been good enough.
Despite being impressive in his debut two weeks, new Hawks import Demitrius Conger did not make the NBL’s “studs and duds” list and star centre AJ Ogilvy found himself on the duds list after a horror weekend.
It’s hard to argue any of that when you don’t have any wins in the bank.
Yet as any Hawks fans know and coach Rob Beveridge pointed out, the side started in a similar fashion last season before charging home to make the NBL finals and ultimately the grand final against Perth.
And there is no question this has the potential to be a better Hawks group than the 2016-17 outfit with Conger and import big man Delvon Johnson adding to an already strong and settled list.
“There’s no question we’re hurting as a group,” Beveridge said.
“Right now we’re in a little bit of a hole, but I know we have enough character in our team and enough talent in our team to weather this Storm that we’re in.
“People could be sitting back at home thinking ‘you’re full of shit Beveridge’, and all of that but I truly believe I have a special group of guys here.”
We always get a clear picture of what ‘Bevo’ is thinking.
The Hawks need this win and need all the might and passion the hometown crowd can bring to the WEC on Sunday.
Those who experienced the Adelaide semi final last year would concur, even with a smaller stadium, we can make it the most unpleasant place any visiting NBL side will experience. Get there and get loud.
See Saturday edition for a special souvenir team poster. Please note, the tip-off for Sunday’s game is 5 pm not 3 pm.