HE didn't resort to the same degree of name-calling but Illawarra coach Brian Goorjian claims the Hawks have gotten under the skin of arch-rivals Sydney in a pre-season war of words.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Few people know as much about the Hawks-Kings rivalry as Goorjian, who's often sighted his battles as coach of Sydney against a Brendan Joyce-led Illawarra through his famous three-peat era at Kingdome.
Goorjian's typically a genial character but the six-time championship-winner fired back at Paul Smith after the Kings owner labeled the Hawks "scumbags" and "idiots" in a recent radio interview.
"We're under their skin," Goorjian told the NBL's The Huddle podcast.
"All I know is this is a new franchise, we're starting a new thing and that was our deal [last season], let's go up the road and smack their front teeth in, get our hand on their jugular.
"We've got to be top [in NSW] before anything else and we went in there and we beat their ass on their court. Then we went into Melbourne and got them again.
"When they came down here [in the final game] and beat us we shook their hand said 'now, go watch us on TV. The finals are coming and you're not in'. It's 1-0 the Gong right now."
It should be noted Wollongong-raised Smith has made his not insubstantial coin in the sports marketing field, but it sets up an interesting 'Freeway Series' that tips off on December 11.
Goorjian - who coached the club previously known as the 'Violet Crumbles' to its three championships - hopes the barbs keep coming.
"I love it and I love Paul Smith, I think [the rivalry] needs that," Goorjian said.
"The basketball I've been in in this is when the [South East Melbourne] Magic and [Melbourne] Tigers were on each others' jugular. We packed that place.
"It was electric at our place (the WEC) when they got us and you have to be competitive to have a rivalry. Last year we got them and we got to the playoffs.
"Now we've got something going. I hope he keeps talking and I hope the stadium's full.
"When they come down here and and bring their gun, we're going to have a cannon waiting for them."
The Illawarra Mercury news app is now officially live on both iOS and Android devices. It is available for download in the Apple Store and Google Play.