The team on Tatum's "hit list"

Thursday, October 24, 2024

"The respect that they have through the NBL community, that’s something that we are working for and we want consistently."

As the Illawarra Hawks seek to get revenge on the team that ended their championship hopes last season, Justin Tatum reveals that United are on his "hit list".

“Melbourne is definitely one of those teams on there,” Tatum told the Illawarra Mercury.

“Not because they beat us last year to knock us out, but just because of the tradition that they have and the respect that they have through the NBL community, that’s something that we are working for and we want consistently.”

It wasn’t all that long ago that United finished the NBL22 season on top and the Hawks finished one win behind in second spot.

Tatum however, knows that the sustained success and winning values of United is what he’s hoping to build at Illawarra.

“The only way you can get that is to show that you belong with the top-tier teams,” Tatum said.

There’s simply no doubting that the Hawks are currently a leading contender this season, as they sit top of the ladder with four wins and one loss.

Melbourne comes into this game off a shock loss to the Phoenix in Round 5 and will be hoping to bounce back on the Hawks' home floor.