Illawarra Hawks 2016/17

[jjj]

Bevo re-signs for four more years.
From the Hawks Facebook page:
The Illawarra Hawks are pleased to announce that Head Coach Rob Beveridge has re-signed with the club for a further 4 years.

The announcement which was made at the annual Illawarra Hawks MVP and Awards Dinner, held at the Novotel North Wollongong on Friday night, is a major coup for the Hawks as they look to build upon this season's 3rd placing and semi finals appearance.

Beveridge said he was excited to be rejoining the Hawks, especially with the knowledge that his family would be joining him next season.

"I am really excited about re-signing with the Illawarra Hawks for the next 4 years. We had a tremendous year and I am very proud of what we achieved this season. I’m really looking forward to continuing to be part of this great community and excited to have my family join me”.

*****

Perhaps the only surprising thing is the length of the tenure. Great news for the Hawks however.

[SB.1]

Sounds like the Bevo family will be on the move.

[BellBivDevoe]

Is it mean to hope that the Hawks retain Tyson Demos and also keep Kevin White as starting 'point?' guard?

[jjj]

Is it mean to hope that the Hawks retain Tyson Demos and also keep Kevin White as starting 'point?' guard?

Not sure about Demos. He has really struggled with his knees which by all accounts are shot. He may decide to pull the pin and get out while he can still walk.
White has been and any team needs role players like him in their line up.

[jjj]

Seems the Hawks had another win over Sydney when they re-signed Bevo. Apparently a big offer was made but he decided to stay with the devil he knows.

[DDFan]

Seems the Hawks had another win over Sydney when they re-signed Bevo. Apparently a big offer was made but he decided to stay with the devil he knows.

That is a huge win over Sydney, Bevo would've been a great insurance policy in case Drewey, Vickerman & Copes all failed to measure up.

To the real world, I'd be nervous if I were a Hawks fan, losing Kevin, but locking in AJ for 3 years. I liked AJ's demeanour at the start of last season, but now agree with Nerf's assessment of him, once his sookiness surfaced.

I'm also freaking out that all other plkayers are free agents. Anyone have the inside on that?

[illusiv]

Penney is rumored to head back to NZ....

[Wild 1]

Done. Penney --> NZ. Both he and Lisch one and done seasons. Wonder what their reasons were for joining Illawarra to start and if it was only ever a one season plan because their preferred teams, which they are now with didn't have a roster position available when they were initially looking to return at the time?

[koberulz]

That's probably true for Penney, but for Lisch I'd say it's simply money.

[illusiv]

Done. Penney --> NZ. Both he and Lisch one and done seasons. Wonder what their reasons were for joining Illawarra to start and if it was only ever a one season plan because their preferred teams, which they are now with didn't have a roster position available when they were initially looking to return at the time?

Lisch was purely money. He took a BIG pay cut from Europe to play for the Hawks, and the Kings apparently made him an offer that was just too good to pass on.

Penney's is more personal/family.

[fan since the old snakepit]

With the demise of the Crocs, Steindl would be a nice pick up to replace Penney.

Still has quite a bit of upside to his game and one of the best pure shooters in the league. They way he runs of screens and his quick release mirror much of what Penney brings. Of course a long way behind in the savvy stakes but that may come in time.

[jjj]

With the demise of the Crocs, Steindl would be a nice pick up to replace Penney.

Still has quite a bit of upside to his game and one of the best pure shooters in the league. They way he runs of screens and his quick release mirror much of what Penney brings. Of course a long way behind in the savvy stakes but that may come in time.

Nooooooooooooo!

[BellBivDevoe]

Perth Wildcats lose Tom Jervis.

Illawarra Hawks re-sign Kevin White.

Two devastating news for both teams.

[Nerf Herder]

Perth Wildcats lose Tom Jervis.

Illawarra Hawks re-sign Kevin White.

Two devastating news for both teams.

*Kings fans sigh in relief*

[the fox]

Hawks have signed r martin, c Ellis, m Norton, Ogilvie and k white.

[jjj]

Hawks have signed r martin, c Ellis, m Norton, Ogilvie and k white.

N Kay still to come

[jjj]

Hawks confirm signing of Nick Kay. That makes seven signed and now the search for imports begins. The club's email suggests they are looking for guards/ forwards.
Have heard the club I'll be using the allowed 11 players.
The careers of Demos and Davidson appear to be at an end. Coenraad's situation remains unclear.

[DDFan]

Hawks confirm signing of Nick Kay.

Great signing, well done Hawks.

The careers of Demos and Davidson appear to be at an end.

I suppose that's fair enough, Demos had a prolonged/season ending injury, & Larry's do (IMO), was a media travesty.

Coenraad's situation remains unclear.

Presumably his manager is holding out to max (his own cut on) a deal. Hopefully, it doesn't screw Tim over, I love his game.

[Jojo]

Local paper says Rotnei Clarke has agreed in principle to come back to Wollongong. Great news if it's true.

[fan since the old snakepit]

Assuming Rotnei signs the last few pieces are the key to how I think the Hawks will go. A lot will depend on what Coenraad decides but overall at this point we have a bunch of midgets and a bunch of bigs with little in between and no one who can be considered a defensive stud (sure AJ is a shot blocker but not great defending the pick and roll).

IF the money is there to get two more imports then one of them needs to be a long(ish) stud wing who can score (what is Childress up to), defend and rebound and the other could be a defensive minded hardworking but undersized big who wont need to score.

If Coenraad leaves Steindl (despite what jjj thinks) would fit well as he can play spot minutes at the 2 to add size and still a decent upside IMO.

I will say it again that the Hawks have still not addressed their glaring defensive and rebounding issues.

[Nerf Herder]

You gotta imagine, if the rumours of Rotnei's management holding out for more (deserviing) cash are true, that there wouldn't be a hell of a lot left in the budget after keeping AJ? They wouldn't be near the max, more that they were saying that they wouldn't be spending all the way up?

I'm assuming also that they're skimping a little bit on what Norton and Kay are actually worth and selling them hard on Bevo (again, deservedly)

Even as a Kings fan it's hard not to be excited about him coming back if it all works out...

[jjj]

Assuming Rotnei signs the last few pieces are the key to how I think the Hawks will go. A lot will depend on what Coenraad decides but overall at this point we have a bunch of midgets and a bunch of bigs with little in between and no one who can be considered a defensive stud (sure AJ is a shot blocker but not great defending the pick and roll).

IF the money is there to get two more imports then one of them needs to be a long(ish) stud wing who can score (what is Childress up to), defend and rebound and the other could be a defensive minded hardworking but undersized big who wont need to score.

If Coenraad leaves Steindl (despite what jjj thinks) would fit well as he can play spot minutes at the 2 to add size and still a decent upside IMO.

I will say it again that the Hawks have still not addressed their glaring defensive and rebounding issues.

So Steindl is not going to Adelaide? Doesn't Kay improve the rebounding just a little bit?

[fan since the old snakepit]

A little but perimeter D still a problem if he plays the 4.

[jjj]

Hawks add some muscle. sign Michael Holyfield.

http://www.hawks.com.au/featured-new...-muscle-hawks/

[BallistiX]

So the team as it stands:

Ogilvy/Holyfield
Forman/Kay
Coenraad/Ellis
Martin/White
Clarke/Norton

Smallish guard rotation but I think this team might surprise.