THEY share some similar attributes, but Hawks defensive coach Tyson Demos says there are certain traits he doesn't share with NBL Defensive Player of the Year nominee Sunday Dech.
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Hawks Defensive Player of the Year in three of his six seasons with his hometown club, Demos built a career - and a huge Wollongong fanbase - on his intensity at the defensive end.
Dech has shown he's cut from the same cloth, culminating in his nomination for the league honour, but Demos says there are some differences in their approach.
"I think there's definitely a few less technicals and a few less unsportsmanlikes," Demos joked.
"But I've loved watching him play. My opinion is that he's definitely well in the running for that [NBL] award.
"Having the most blocked shots or the most steals doesn't make you best defensive player. There's a lot of things Sunday does on the defensive end that you don't get stats for.
"He matches up against the best players in every team and I guarantee you their numbers are unders when Sunday's on the floor guarding them.
"He comes out every single night and plays solid defence, he contests those best guys and holds them below their marks. The amount of effort that dude puts in when the doors are closed is unbelievable and I've got nothing but praise for him."
Demos isn't alone, with Dech included on an eight-man shortlist for DPOY honours last week.
It's where coach Matt Flinn told him he would be when he recruited the 26-year-old, with Dech happy he's been able to bring it to fruition.
At the start I thought 'oh wow, he really thinks highly of me'," Dech said of that first conversation.
"It's good knowing you're a big part of the team and he saw the vision before I did. That's something he envisioned and I'm happy that it's panned out that way.
"Being recognised by the league's always awesome but there's a lot of great guys up for that nomination. It's great just to be in the mix because that's a part of my game I hang my hat on."
His role this season hasn't been restricted to the defensive end with his increased offensive output also putting him in the running for the league's Most Improved gong.
He's looking to grow in that area, but he says matching up on the Bryce Cottons', Casper Wares' and Melo Trimbles' always brings the greatest sense of pride.
"They're superstars and to be able to go out there and try and hold them below their averages is something I take pride in," Dech said.
"It's hard work, they're superstars for a reason, but it's about slowing them down. You're not going to get the stop every time but if you make it as hard as you can for them to score on that possession, it wears them down.
"It's a cumulative effect, in the fourth quarter they don't have the legs they would've had in the first or second quarter because you made it tough to get those scores. I take it as a personal challenge to limit their effectiveness and help the team win."