Brian Goorjian is ready for the fireworks of facing off against the Sydney Kings in the pressure-cooker environment of the NBL finals.
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The Hawks lost a gripping overtime battle against their bitter rivals last week and meet again, in the final game of the regular season in Sydney, via Perth who they play on Friday night.
With the Kings second and Hawks third on the ladder, it could set the stage for a three-game series and potentially even decide who wins the NBL title.
We've already seen the all-in push and shove - after Illawarra junior Angus Glover attempted to step over the prone Sam Froling in December - and the trash talk dished up by Kings owner Paul Smith, himself from the South Coast.
Goorjian said the Hawks will not take a backward step on Sunday, or during the playoffs, believing more barbs would be traded.
"I expect it, I hope it happens," Goorjian told the Mercury.
"I was involved in the Magic and Tigers battles in the 80s and they still talk about that rivalry.
"This is building, with this rivalry we weren't good enough, we didn't bring anything to the table, so now over the last two years, we've already had some classic games, including the last one. These two teams want to be playing for a championship and in the semi-final and it will add to the fireworks and the rivalry, the media coverage, the energy, if we meet each other again."
While initially disappointed to lose 107-102 after it was locked at 92-all at full-time, Goorjian said the Hawks are only encouraged by how close they are to being a championship team, having already beaten league leaders United in Melbourne twice this season.
In front of a near-capacity crowd of 4872 at WIN Entertainment Centre, Goorjian said the atmosphere was the realisation he had of the vision he had when signing on as coach to lead the Hawks rebuild.
"I want this place to be a hornet's nest," Goorjian said.
"We have a vision for this to be the biggest show in town and it was disappointing to lose the game, but the Illawarra Hawks have shown what we can offer to the league and to the community.
"I respect their coach (Kings' Chase Buford) and their style of play, the contest was electrifying."
Even with two losses this weekend, it would take a monumental disaster for the Hawks to slip behind Tasmania and out of the top four on percentages.
The Jackjumpers must beat Melbourne United on Saturday and rely on Perth losing to the Hawks and South East Melbourne to snatch fourth spot.
Friday night's game against Perth will be Goorjian's 800th as an NBL coach, it would have been the thriller against the Kings if not for being stuck in COVID isolation for their trip to Melbourne. He's won six titles to become Australia's greatest coach, since starting with the Eastside Spectres back in 1988.
While their title prospects remain bright, president Dorry Kordahi on Tuesday made the shock announcement he was standing down.
Kordahi has been the figurehead of the new ownership during the club's rebuild, having been instrumental in reinstating the 'Illawarra' name after it was taken away by the NBL following the most recent collapse.
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
