Not done yet: Hawks’ big-man plan keeps hopes alive

Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum has a healthy, motivated roster and his side’s championship defence is very much alive heading into a demanding stretch of games.

For now, the solution in the middle appears clear: rotating JaVale McGee and Sam Froling at centre.

That approach proved decisive in Saturday night’s win over the Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena, a result that closed the gap on sixth spot. Froling delivered 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while McGee dominated with 23 points, eight rebounds and two blocks on a near-perfect 9-of-10 from the field.

“JaVale's been doing solid all year and I'm happy for him and Sam, and we got 22 minutes and 16 minutes from Sam, and we got 39 points between the both of them, and that's something we've been trying to execute once Sam got healthy,” Tatum said.

“We envision that to be a part of our situation going forward so I tip my hat off to both of them.”

Since returning on Christmas night from the ruptured Achilles he suffered during last year’s Championship Series, Froling’s role has been carefully managed. The Hawks have alternated between using him and McGee as a centre rotation, or unleashing them together in a twin-towers look.

After a third straight loss in Perth last Friday, Illawarra welcomed a full week at home and seized the opportunity against a JackJumpers side missing Will Magnay and Majok Deng.

The big-man rotation paid off emphatically. McGee and Froling combined for 39 points and 11 rebounds, shooting an ultra-efficient 17-of-21 as Tatum’s plan clicked perfectly.

It’s an approach Tatum is likely to stick with, leaving Mason Peatling, Daniel Grida and Todd Blanchfield to handle the power forward minutes.

“It can still go game by game, but I think we're going to try to find a consistent rhythm for both of them to be able to be effective on the floor,” Tatum said.

“Tonight we've seen some things that if we can yin and yang them out a little bit, and make sure that our four men and our guards still find a way to filter them and get them the ball, that they can be more effective instead of both of them being out there the same time.

“We'll never throw it away of them both being out there at the same time, but right now we had a lot of success with what we've been working on at practice this week with one big in, one big out.”

While the teams Illawarra are chasing, the Tasmania and New Zealand, have been hit by significant injury setbacks, the Hawks are enjoying their healthiest stretch of NBL26.

Their only absentee is Jonah Bolden, sidelined after rupturing his Achilles, as Illawarra’s depth and balance begin to align at the right time of the season.