While new Illawarra Hawks head coach Brian Goorjian admitted that LaMelo Ball was “immense” for the National Basketball League (NBL) given the exposure he brought in, he also noted that the guard didn’t exactly help Illawarra’s future.
In a radio interview with SEN NSW Breakfast with Joel & Jimmy, Goorjian, who is a six-time NBL title-winning coach, not only discussed Ball’s impact on the league but on the Hawks, who finished last in the league, as well. Goorjian did not criticize how Illawarra approached using Ball but noted that he would do things differently moving forward.
“With LaMelo Ball you have a guy that needs to be serviced, is young, needs the ball in his hands and needs to showcase who he is for the draft. When he’s high in the draft, a lot of times for a number of reasons, they turn the tap off. From a basketball standpoint, from a coaching standpoint, it’s a different look than what it is for the League.
“It was immense and huge for the League and he’s a tremendous talent but as far as the Hawks, it’s the first time they’ve ever finished in last place. He got those two triple-doubles and everybody promoted when he came to this (League) that there was a very big doubt that he would play all the way through the League (season).
“So I’m more inclined as a coach to do what Sydney did and get a guy (Didi Louzada) that’s been drafted and now wants to prove himself to those who (initially) drafted him in the NBA. That’s from a personal standpoint as a coach as opposed to somebody that’s trying to promote the League and the importance of that.”
With or without Ball, Illawarra struggled last season. The team finished at the bottom of the standings. The Hawks finished with a 5-23 record, worst in the league by four games. In the 12 games Ball was in the lineup, Illawarra was 4-9, including a win in his final game. But that means Illawarra finished 1-14 to end the season without him.
The aftermath of Ball’s departure from the club also paints the picture as to how dysfunctional and grim the club’s situation was. The team would be sold and head coach Matt Flinn, who was appointed prior to the 2018-19 season, was not brought back for the 2020-21 season.
As the team moves forward into the future with Jerry Colangelo as part of the ownership group and Goorjian as new coach, the team will certainly be handling things much differently it appears.
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