Hawks’ high alert for kingmaker Childress

The Kings may be anchored to the bottom of the NBL ladder, but are expected to welcome back US import Josh Childress from injury.

His presence back in the purple and gold singlet will be enough to renew an air of confidence about the Hawks’ bitter rivals.

The Illawarra face another “brutal” video session on Monday, picking apart where it all went wrong against Adelaide. After slipping to 4-6 in Adelaide, the Hawks face the Kings and Townsville Crocodiles at home this week.

Beveridge is wary about Illawarra playing host to the Childress show.

“He’s such a great player, they’re going to be feeling seven foot tall and bullet proof with him back,” Beveridge said.

“We’re going to have to wake up, real quick, with only two more days to turn it around.

“(Childress) is arguably the best player in the league, he’s the best passer and he’s the best defender, but it’s the leadership perspective where he really brings a lot.

“They feed off him.”

Departing former NBA player Al Harrington, who will make way for Childress’s return, declared the Kings are a “play-off team” with the No 6 overall 2004 NBA draft pick.

Beveridge was left to lament the first quarter, where Adelaide surged to a 33-24 lead, making 12-16 field shots and out-rebounding Hawks 11-3.

“I can’t quite put my finger on it,” he said.

“We had an incredible week at practice, we were tenacious and getting after it and then when the lights came on we were flat.

“It was actually only the first quarter, we matched them after that.

“I’m not sure if soul-searching is the right words, but we have got to have a lot more pride in that area.”

Childress was suspended for two games while injured for approaching the referees against Adelaide.

His return is a much-needed boost for the Kings, after an 86-74 loss to New Zealand on Thursday, where they led by three at half-time. Kevin Lisch led the Hawks scoring in the 89-77 loss to Adelaide with 19 points.

It’s the eighth time in 10 games the Hawks have lost the rebound count.

Beveridge accused the Hawks of being “mentally soft” after two last quarter fade-outs at home against Perth, as well almost letting a commanding lead against Cairns slip. 

He said the players needed to remember they have the makings of a successful NBL campaign.

“I’ll never sugar coat things,” he said.

“As the coach, I’m there to pat them on the back and give them a kick up the arse.

“This is our weakness, this is what we have to improve on. So there’ll be a brutal video session (Monday) and I’ll always be honest with the guys. But we also shouldn’t forget we’re a great team, maybe they’ve lost a bit of the swagger they had at the start of the season.”