I said this needed to happen with the return of Rhys Martin and got shot down...clearly it isn't working though and like I said before, 1 of their import spots could be better utilized.

Ervin's PPG is inferior, but you'd think he's more of a proven asset and can hit the three. They have really made a mess of a roster that seemed quite easy to upgrade in the off-season.

Neither player is tweeting but that means nothing as they are probably training.

Isaac...werent you one for keeping Carson (to come off the bench as a spark) despite the return of Martin?

Yes, because I think Nevill is a bigger problem and you can start Martin or Demos to minimise any influence of Carson if it's a problem. But if an import is getting cut, I'm choosing between two, not whether or not it would happen, right?

Unless there are real personality issues, I would try starting Martin, Ervin, Coenraad, Forman, Davidson (or Ervin, Demos, Coenraad, Forman, Davidson) before I cut anyone. Davidson, Demos and Martin know the Hawks plays and have been able to get them to the post-season. Ervin too.

I don't know why these sort of things weren't tried three games in, unless the owner is dictating playing of his Nevill signing.

I'd keep Carson cos he's never nut shotted another player

Neville needs to go as he does not fit into the Hawks playing style . Not sure he fits into any NBL team despite his size because he lacks mobility and efforts maybe even basketball IQ.

Should have just let McLeod pick the team from the start!

Nevill would still be a great signing for someone but not as any sort of marquee player, just a great big man coming off the bench.

Boti reckons cut Ervin:

WOLLONGONG needs to bite the bullet and cut its 2011 NBL MVP Gary Ervin, replacing him with a scoring import small forward.

No one is cut (yet).

The Hawks signed Ervin thinking that Martin would be back and then were going for an import 2/3 like the previous season. Then when Martin said he was going overseas they had to go for a new look and signed Carson.

Now that Martin is back it does make sense to release 1 import and go for another wing. However after the PR nightmare around releasing Gruber, will they be willing to do it again in the same season? That's the million dollar question.

"Some Hawks fans are already convinced the 2014-15 team will become only the second side in the club's 35-year history to finish with the wooden spoon. Wollongong's only other last-placing occurred in 1997."

Nuff said. Maybe the owner needs to own and not interfere.

I would cut Carson. Seems he has been well scouted by the league, and can't play to his strength here (getting in the open court)

Whether it's Ervins back or otherwise I'm not sure but he is struggling.

If they cut Ervin and Bring in a good swingman. And then Start Davidson:

Davidson
Forman
Coenradd
Swingman
Martin

Bring Hill, Carson and Nevill and reward them with solid minutes off the bench. Use Ballinger on a game by game basis depending on the opposition, and use Demos for 4 minute energy spurts once or twice a game, and to cover in foul trouble scenarios.

Yeah the Ervin call depends on his back

If theyre convinced he's fine and think he will return to his form of previous years, then let Carson go instead. Either way ErvinCarsonMartin isnt working.

I haven't watched too many Hawks games but looking at the stats (and I'll take them with a grain of salt as I know hawks are 1 and 8), carson and ervin have each scored over 20 in the same game twice so are they really the problem? It seems carson is playing too many minutes and demos not enough.
Davidson needs to step up or get out, I think he can be a great player but has been missing the mongrel this season.
Ballinger and Forman also need to bring it every night, if they're not scoring then get some rebounds at least.
Hawks remind me of Cairns last season, the personnel is not too bad, just not quite gelling at the moment, and you wonder how much of an effect the new ownership is having on this, in particular the Gruber loss.

Demos is a great defender.

There is a reason why he isn't getting minutes though..he can't shoot to save himself this year.

5/15 FG
2/13 3p FG
0/4 ft

a combinted 7/32.

There is a reason why Demos isn't playing much and fair enough.

Ervin and Nevill have had some pretty big clashes on court this year. Can't imagine it'd be any better at training. If Nevill's the golden child perhaps it spells the end for Ervin, especially with the ailing back. That way the Hawks could justify cutting a player if it was under injury concerns.

MACDUB, Demos is below his usual 3P%. Hard to expect him to come on and get it right at low volume and with his confidence beaten down.

Ballinger survived Gruber because he has range yet is 20% from three also.

Ervin and Nevill are chalk and cheese.Two totally different personalities but thats the same in any business environment.

Ervin and Neville also combined for 10-0 run in Townsville dont forget

I agree with Isaac above. Maybe try to jiggle up the rotations before cutting anyone.

Martin, Ervin, Coenraad, Forman, Davidson does look a good combo. Bring Nevill off the bench for effect and if you had a guard compo that had at least one of Ervin or Carson on for all the game with them on court for say a 20% game time overlap, then there may be a big improvement.

It's really about finding groups who can defend and then get some run out of defence. Until they do that the offence will look ugly.