Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
South East Melbourne coach Josh King has launched a scathing attack on his side, suggesting some players are too focused on themselves after they suffered a 120-110 loss to Illawarra.
Milton Doyle mixed style with substance to help the Hawks bounce back from their worst defeat of the NBL season at Victoria’s State Basketball Centre on Wednesday night.
The American registered a season-high 22 points, which included six triples to lift Illawarra (5-9) off the foot of the ladder.
It comes as the 33-year-old star recruit has struggled to hit top gear since making the high-profile move from Melbourne United in the off-season.
“I don’t care if he (Doyle) had eight or 10 bad games. I know how great this man is,” Hawks coach Justin Tatum, who also apologised for denouncing referee Chris Reid after the 106-78 loss to Adelaide last Saturday, said.
“We had no doubt in our minds that he’s going to have games like this and even better.”
But while Doyle shone, South East Melbourne (4-8) were disjointed in attack, and their defence was dismal as Illawarra piled on 71 points in the first half – the most in a half by the Hawks since the NBL switched to 40-minute games.
The Phoenix’s lack of a proven point guard also hurt them after the club reportedly parted ways with import Skylar Mays earlier in the week.
“We need more guys focused on the team … They’re focused on themselves,” King said.
“That’s what we need to focus on. I know it sounds like under-12s stuff, but that’s where we’re at.
“I would have never forecasted this going into the season … We’re fighting ourselves right now.”
Defeat was the home team’s third straight, although American D’Shawn Schwartz (22 points, eight rebounds) and Nathan Sobey (19 points, nine assists) were shining lights.
For Illawarra, forward Kelan Martin (27 points) and guard Will Hickey (15 points, nine rebounds, eight assists) were also busy off the bench to help the visitors secure their first Ignite Cup victory.
The Phoenix went on an 8-0 run to start, but the visitors replied with a 14-2 spurt to take a five-point lead at the first break.
In a see-sawing second period, Martin shot the lights out before centre Makur Maker sank a flurry of late points to balloon Illawarra’s advantage to 71-54 at halftime.
South East Melbourne began to slow the onslaught, but the Hawks surged past 100 points early in the fourth quarter and cruised to victory.
