McGee needs protection: Tatum

Photo: Illawarra Hawks Media.

Justin Tatum has called for protection of star signing JaVale McGee, after the three-time NBA champion reportedly copped heavy attention during a scrimmage against the Sydney Kings over the weekend.

McGee labelled the Kings’ defensive tactics “weird”, with his coach urging a stricter, no-tolerance stance on what he called “non-basketball plays”.

“JaVale is 7 foot 1 and skilled as, so he is going to cause problems for a lot of people, but at the end of the day you still have to play basketball the right way and it’s not taking his knees, holding him or taking him out mid-air,” Tatum told CODE Sports.

Tatum said the Hawks plan to push feedback directly to the league’s refereeing department in a bid to protect their star players from overly aggressive defence.

“You’ve still got to make basketball plays, so hopefully teams, players and the referees can see that,” he continued. “We will do our part if we feel like there are calls that JaVale is not getting and we’ll send it to the NBL.”

According to CODE Sports, the Kings were keen to avoid a war of words, but McGee’s talent and credentials ensure he’ll face intense defensive attention this season.

The reigning Hungry Jack’s NBL Champions open their season at home against the Tasmania JackJumpers on September 27.

Read the full story here >> Hawks renew hostilities with NBL referees, Kings, over rough treatment of former NBA star