The Hidden Hawkhead v4 - Who and what will be on their radar today?

Each week 'The Hidden Hawkhead' will dissect some of the biggest storylines coming out of the Illawarra Hawks. Who and what will be on their radar today?

JUSTINIAN JESSUP

IF...

The 'Next Star' is keeping a close eye on the NBA and the side that drafted him - the Golden State Warriors...

THEN...

Who could blame him. Golden State is currently locked in a battle with the likes of Dallas, Memphis, San Antonio and New Orleans for a play-in spot to advance to the playoffs proper, so any help they could get would be warranted. They are also ranked a lowly 15th in three-point percentage in the league at 36%, while Jessup is currently hitting the long ball at a 42% clip down under. We would all desperately love Jessup to stay in the NBL for at least the remainder of the season, and there's nothing to suggest that won't be the case right now, but what young basketball star wouldn't jump at the chance to play for one of the best organisations in the world and surround themselves with the likes of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Steve Kerr if it was an option.

DENG ADEL

IF...

The Hawks marquee man still has goals of playing in the NBA again one day...

THEN...

He will need to have one hell of a second half of a season. So far this season Adel is averaging 6.68 points at 32% from the field and 22% from beyond the arc to go with four rebounds and 2.26 assists per game. They are hardly numbers worth gushing over and a far cry from the player we all think we expected in Wollongong this year. He clearly has the talent to be a star of the league, but what is holding him back? Is it opportunity? Did the injury he sustained in the preseason set him back too far? Or is he still just taking some time to adjust to the NBL's style of game? Whatever it might be, Adel is only two years removed from the NB-bloody-A, so even though some are dropping off the bandwagon, many think the best is still yet to come.

DAN GRIDA

IF...

Grida continues to play with the spark and tenacity he has brought in his first two games back...

THEN...

The likes of Tyler Harvey and Justinian Jessup will be more dangerous because of it. The men from the Illawarra have done well to double their winning tally from last season already this year, but have relied heavily on the 1-2 punch provided by their all American back court. Grida may have only been back for two games - but you can already see he is playing with the type of aggression needed to put opposition defensive units under immense pressure. If Grida continues to attack the basket the way he has - oppositon side's will have no choice but to leave the likes of Harvey and Jessup wide open as the helpside defence collapses. Meaning more open looks for the likes of Harvey, Jessup, White and Deng.

BRIAN GOORJIAN

IF...

The mastercoach has passed nearly every test thrown at him over an illustrious NBL coaching career...

THEN...

Unlocking the key to beating the SE Melbourne Phoenix is the one challenge he's yet to conquer. The Hawks troubles against the competition's newest franchise extend back to last year so it's not just been Goorjian's problem, but the coaching G.O.A.T has openly admitted after all three losses this year he hasn't yet worked out why the Phoenix is so dominant against his side. So far this year, the Phoenix has beaten the Hawks by a combined 65-points across three matches - an absolute beat down the likes of which Goorjian has never seen. Mitch Creek had been a dominant force in the two earlier matches this season, but even with him well below par last start the boy's from Melbourne still did a number on us. Let's see what Goorj can conjure up tomorrow.