Mid-Season Report Card: Illawarra Hawks

With the Hungry Jack's NBL26 competition currently on a time-out due to FIBA Break, NBL Media has decided to assess each of the 10 teams and give them a mid-season report card.

During this series, one expert on NBL Now will evaluate the team's progress through the first 10 rounds, while also naming their most improved and MVPs.

Finally, they will each team a grade and predicted finishing spot.

The second cab off the ranks, after the Perth Wildcats, are reigning champions Illawarra, with the team's performance analysed by two-time Olympian and 2009 NBL champion, Mark Worthington.

Report card score: D

I was going to be nice and give them a C minus, but realistically they are a D at the moment, because of where they currently stand, coming off the back of a championship. I'm sure there's no one more disappointed than the players themselves, as to where they currently stand. The good news is they do have a phenomenal talent in JaVale McGee. They do have a really good leader in Davo Hickey. They are getting their inspirational leader back in Sam Froling and Tyler Harvey is one of those imports that we still don't talk highly enough about on a regular basis of what he's capable of doing. I should add QJ Peterson has been a nice little spark plug for them as well. If they can get all that together, they will make the run, but as it currently stands, their report card is a D.

What you like: Will 'Davo' Hickey

I've liked what Davo Hickey has brought into this lineup and the chemistry that he seemingly has with JaVale McGee on the court. What Davo does is changes the pace of the game because he's one of those players that get into the seams and being able to bring other players into the game. He has made this Illawarra team a little bit different than what they were at the start of the season. I know they've gone through their own set of turmoil. But being the reigning champs and bringing in someone like JaVale, makes expectations go through the roof, but unfortunately they haven't lived up to them at this stage.

What needs to change: Turnovers

Look after the damn ball. They're leading the league in turnovers at 15 a game. To me that comes off lack of execution offensively and knowing what they want to get. A lot has been spoken about their inability to get through an offence and more of a one on one style sort of game that has led to turnovers and easy baskets for the other team. They're not in a position to be giving away easy baskets as it currently stands when their offence isn't fully clicking yet. They really do have a chance in the second half of the season. However, when you turn the ball over and they go dunk it down the other end, it doesn't give you a chance to set up your defence.

Most improved player: Will 'Davo' Hickey

I was one of the pundits that didn't believe that he was a starting point guard in this league and he has proven me wrong time and time again. He's a near triple double threat when he walks on the court and his ability to play both ends of the court has been amazing. Not only has he improved the most in the Illawarra Hawks team, I firmly believe he's the number one Australian point guard that we currently have in the league. He's shown that his game has stepped up to another level. They will need him to have an even bigger second half of the season if the Hawks are to make a run.

Team MVP: JaVale McGee

No surprise here, as JaVale McGee, at this stage of the season, is averaging 21 points a game, 10 rebounds a game and a whole top 10 package all dedicated to him on what he's able to do on a basketball court. He is undoubtedly the most athletic player that has ever come and played in the NBL. We should just all enjoy whatever time we have with him in the league because he's worth the price of admission alone. He's definitely been their MVP to this stage of the season.

Who needs to step up: Jonah Bolden

He's had a couple of turbulent years now where he hasn't really found his groove, albeit some early season form last year with the New Zealand Breakers. But if he can have a big second half of the season, I think this goes a long way once again for the Hawks to be able to make a finals run. They need some sort of defensive presence, because if you've got him and JaVale on the court at the same time, there's not too many people getting towards the rim. If you're able to combine it with that shot he can knock down at a consistent rate, not only does it open up for JaVale, but it takes a bit more pressure off Tyler Harvey and David Hickey as well.

Finishing prediction: Sixth

The bottom end of Illawarra will finish is eighth, while the top end of Illawarra will finish sixth. I think they will make a run in the second half of the season and will finish in that sixth spot.