Gary Clark has thrown his help behind Justin Tatum because the NBL’s coach of the yr for guiding the Illawarra Hawks from the doldrums to inside placing distance of a fairytale play-in berth.
Since firing Jacob Jackomas and appointing assistant Tatum to his first skilled head-coaching job in November, the Hawks have gained 10 of 15 video games after shedding seven of their first 9.
The father of NBA star Jayson, Tatum has orchestrated the turnaround with an analogous enjoying group to the one which completed final in 2023.
Of the 5 gamers that common essentially the most minutes for the fourth-placed Hawks this marketing campaign, 4 have been on the roster final season.
Adelaide have loved a turnaround below their very own interim coach Scott Ninnis, whereas Dean Vickerman can be prone to be thought-about for coach of the yr after restoring Melbourne United’s heavyweight standing.
First-year coach Justin Scheuller has the Brisbane Bullets closing in on the post-season too, however 177-game NBA participant Clark says Tatum’s coach-of-the-year credentials are emphatic.
“Everyone can have their opinion and could say differently, but the numbers don’t lie,” the American ahead informed AAP.
“From where the Hawks were to where we are now, we’re beating some of the top teams and that isn’t just by chance, that’s by preparation, that’s by coaching, that’s by him being able to get his guys to play and dominate.
“We’ve received 4 video games left and there needs to be extra conversations about him being coach of the yr.”
The NBL ladder remains congested heading into the final two rounds, with each side still a mathematical chance to feature in the post-season.
Two wins from four games will leave the Hawks with a 14-14 record, which should be enough to secure a play-in berth, but three wins can make it a certainty.
Tatum’s Hawks could soar as high as third on the ladder if they win all four of their games and other results fall their way.
“I feel greater than something, he is been in a position to maintain guys accountable and make guys both step up and do your job as a big-time minutes participant,” Clark stated of Tatum’s success.
“With your work ethic, ensuring everyone’s on high of getting their work in, not simply coming in, displaying as much as follow then leaving. There’s accountability on enjoying the appropriate manner.”
The Hawks have yet to confirm whether Tatum will coach beyond 2024 but star import Tyler Harvey predicted the man himself would not be fixating on his future plans.
“I do not suppose that is his fear proper now, he is simply worrying concerning the subsequent sport,” Harvey informed AAP.
“He’s the one which tells us look we’re simply going to take this one sport at a time, one follow at a time, and we’ll see the place the outcomes are after that.
“It’s been a blast playing for him and hopefully we can just keep this train rolling.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
