NBL doesn't deserve McGee: Tatum

Championship-winning coach Justin Tatum has leapt to the defence of one of his star players, following Wednesday's defeat to New Zealand.

Tatum, whose Hawks have fallen to 0-3 in their title defence, called out the NBL and its officials for not doing a good enough job of protecting three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee.

"We've got a 16-year NBA veteran on our team who's been getting fouled on the floor, tripped up and checked at half-court. We've got to fight through a lot of adversity on that one," Tatum said in his post-game media conference.

"I'm not sure he's enjoying it, but he's a professional and he's going to keep fighting through it.

"He could be an advocate for the league, but I'm not sure he's going to do that if the league misinterpret or does not understand how to ref a guy his size.

"I gotta protect my players because the league does not.

"I don't think the league deserves him being here."

Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist McGee, who is averaging 25.7 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists per game in NBL26, and his Hawks now return home to host Brisbane on Saturday from 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.