IT’S unlikely to do them any favours on Friday but Illawarra could well have played a a major role in New Zealand big man Shawn Long’s stunning run of form.
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The former 76er has arguably been the league’s best player over the past month, averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds in his last five games – a foul-plagued 5-4 night against Adelaide notwithstanding.
He followed that game up with 28 points and 10 boards in his next outing, also against the 36ers, and produced a memorable 33-point performance against Perth three days later.
It’s a run he set in motion with 26 points and 14 rebounds against the Hawks in Hamilton in round 10, slamming home nine of his 10 field goals in a dominant display in the paint.
It’s still fresh in the mind of Hawks coach Rob Beveridge as he looks to find a way to contain the Breakers trump card on Friday.
“It took him a little while to get settled in the league because this is a really good league with really good players,” Beveridge said.
“He’s only a young guy as well. He’s played in the NBA but they’ve sent him to Australia probably to mature and play in a real tough competition and he’s thrived.
“No pun intended, he’s very, very long, he’s athletic, he’s a great offensive rebounder, he’s started to play very physical inside. He’s creating havoc because of his mobility.
“He’s one of the premier bigs in the league and right now he’s got the confidence and the swagger. He’s had some tremendous games of late and he’s going to be a real danger man for us.”
His performance in his last outing against the Hawks didn’t make for pleasant viewing in the video room and Beveridge will be demanding more grit in the low block this time around.
“We played soft in New Zealand,” he said.
“We’ve reviewed it and looked at it and he threw our bigs around like a rag dolls. We’ve got to toughen up there because [Tai] Wesley and Long in the four and five are arguably two best bigs in the league as a combo.
“Everything they do is around those guys and the energy Long’s playing with. Right now we’re working with the bigs, doing video, looking at where he gets his scores from, how he posts up and gets on the glass.
“Our bigs have got to be so focused and we’ve got to get in the bunker and play really hard d against him. They’re playing really well, they’re in the playoff race as well and they’re a real danger team for us.”
Friday’s showdown will be the first of three meetings between the sides over the final five rounds of the season and will be vital to their respective finals hopes.
The Hawks are one spot ahead on the ladder, though the Breakers have two games in hand, but have been largely written off as finals hopes.
It’s something Beveridge welcomes with belief still high within his own camp that a playoffs run isn’t beyond them.
“It’s actually taken a bit of pressure off us because there is no expectation we’re going to make the playoffs,” Beveridge said.
“All the commentators and experts are saying there’s no chance we can do it and whatever else. Even after the performance against Sydney the other day everyone still doubts us.
“Right now we’re not ready to lay down at all just because people think we’re out of the running.”