Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge hopes former Hawks star Demitrius Conger won't be up to speed when he makes his NBL return against his former club.
Beveridge says the forward, who was runner-up in the league's MVP award last season when he played for Illawarra, will be an incredible asset and perfect fit for Adelaide, who have lost four straight games.
Illawarra wanted to bring Conger back for this season but couldn't afford to get into a bidding war and the American joined a French club.
Conger has replaced guard Adris DeLeon and by a quirk of the draw three of the next four game Adelaide and Illawarra play will be against each other.
"Bringing Conger in, he fits perfectly. He's going to be tremendous to help them and allow them their running game and get on the rim. That's the way they play," Beveridge told AAP.
"He's an incredible asset for them and obviously played for us so he still knows my systems well, so he's not coming in cold.
"He only arrived yesterday apparently and hopefully he's jet lagged and a bit tired and we can take advantage of that and he hasn't learned their offences too soon."
Illawarra (3-5) go into Saturday's game in sixth spot, just one place above Adelaide (3-7).
The Hawks have lost six out of eight first quarters, conceding at at least 27 points in each of those games in which they've trailed after the opening period.
"Starts are a real concern, there's no doubt we're the worst starting team in the league and we're trying to address that," Beveridge said.
With no Hawk averaging more than six boards a game, Beveridge said rebounding was also a concern.
Beveridge would be disappointed if the NBL issued fines for swearing after Bullets counterpart Andrej Lemanis was caught on television doing that last weekend.
"I personally don't like the camera in there. It's my office, it's my business," Beveridge said.
"But the reality is we are in the entertainment business and it's a big push by the league for the home viewers to see what we do.
"Sometimes in the heat of battle, the emotions of a game, coaches, players, we every now and then let the f-bomb go and it's pretty disappointing that there could be a potential fine for something like that."
Australian Associated Press
