Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge has accused the NBL referees of unfairly treating import enforcer Brian Conklin, who was put through the ringer physically in the Hawks' 25-point loss to the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday.
Conklin had 13 points and visited the free throw line eight times against the Sixers but Beveridge believes the American-born power forward and 2015 league MVP has a target on his back due to his vigorous style.
"Absolutely, categorically not," Beveridge said when asked if Conklin gets enough calls in his favour.
"They're not, it's as simple as that.
"He's a really physical player and he is so frustrated at the moment, he's on the verge of exploding. I really feel for him right now. He got hammered out there so many times."
In 2015, while with Townsville, Conklin broke Perth captain Damian Martin's jaw and was suspended for elbowing Mitch Creek while in 2016, when playing in Puerto Rico, he was also rubbed out for elbowing.
"Everybody knows he's a super physical player, (but) he's one of the nicest human beings you'd ever meet," Beveridge said.
"(He has) white line fever when he steps on that court ... he wants to win."
Beveridge also appeared confident decorated import guard Cedric Jackson's best form is near.
A three-time title winner, the 2013 NBL MVP and a teammate of LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan across 12 NBA games, Jackson has struggled to recapture his old magic this season, partly because of a niggling groin injury.
The 32-year-old showed glimpses of his previous form against the Sixers despite only scoring seven points.
"He's getting better every game," Beveridge said."There's no doubt that when you have that time away, it does take time to get back to that.
"He legitimately has been a superstar in the league for a long time, there's high expectations from everybody, including himself.
"We're trying to take those expectations away to make him feel good about himself and not have to be that triple-double machine that he has been in the past."
Australian Associated Press
