Basketball: Players told persevere if they want to improve

Liam Flynn

A lot of things frustrate George Galanopoulos in coaching but he recognises the value of patience in regards to the process players have to go through to become better.

"A lot of players want immediate results but it takes a lot of time," says the Hawks assistant coach.

What frustrates him most is players who are not prepared to do the hard yards.

"They think the results will just come but the magic is in the work."

Motivating players to make the gym a happy place is pivotal.

"Some players don't want it badly enough, while other players just do it."

The NBA Development League he has come from has a higher calibre of players than the NBL.

Conversely he believes NBL players are more humble than those in the US.

"They are good guys who are willing to work and put in the necessary effort in order to put a winner out on the floor."

Generosity is another attribute here, not just in the Bay but the country which makes it pleasurable for him.

Coach Liam Flynn gives him free reign to voice his opinion, run the Hawks through plays and coach them.

"He puts his trust in me because he knows what I'm talking about but he gives me the legitimate experience of coaching and learning the game."

It makes things easier that Galanopoulos shares Flynn's philosophy that a team's success is down to hard work.

"It's about putting in individual work and working as a team and not making excuses - holding each other accountable so we have a lot of the same values on how a team plays and acts."

He is hoping the shooting will improve because luck has little do with it. The Hawks shoot every day, especially Alonzo Burton and Luke Aston.

Co-captain Paora Winitana returns from a calf strain but Marco Alexander is out with hip issues after surgery.