NBL 2023: The LeBron James link inspiring new Illawarra Hawks coach ahead of blockbuster Christmas Day clash

A month ago the Hawks were rooted to the bottom of the NBL ladder and had just sacked their coach after a disastrous two-year stretch. The future looked bleak. But now they’re thriving once more.

The man who helped LeBron James win Cleveland’s only NBA championship has been a secret mentor guiding Illawarra Hawks interim coach Justin Tatum.

A link to big names in basketball isn’t uncommon for Tatum – the father of Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum – but he has connections in his own right.

His cousin is Tyronn Lue – the Los Angeles Clippers head coach – who will be forever remembered for coaching the LeBron-led Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA championship.

So when Tatum was thrown in the deep end and elevated to Illawarra’s interim coach after joining the club in as adviser role before the season started, he knew he had to call Lue.

“I called Tyronn when I first got the Hawks coaching job and we spoke for about an hour or so and we’ve kept in contact ever since,” Tatum said.

Tyronn Lue (L) helped deliver a championship to the city of Cleveland with LeBron James. Picture: Getty

“He has been very informative and helpful.

“Tyronn told me to back myself, saying Illawarra hired you so they must trust you to do a good job.

“He also told me to be brutally honest with the players and the ones who get it will respect you and run through a wall for you.

“The ones that want to stay on their personal agendas will just weed themselves out.”

Lue’s sage advice has given Tatum a valuable insight into life at the top as a head coach.

Of course, the NBL isn’t the NBA in terms of exposure and pressure, but the same basic coaching principals to be successful apply.

It’s largely why Tatum has hit the ground running as Illawarra’s interim coach, winning three of his four games heading into this round.

Justin Tatum has stepped in mid-season to try and revive the Illawarra Hawks. Picture: Getty

He has the previously last-placed Hawks humming on the back of basics like intent.

Tatum may be a rookie head coach at the professional level, but he has been around basketball and coaching his entire life.

In his home State of Missouri, he coached high school teams to multiple state championships, developing the skills of renowned players such as current North Carolina star Caleb Love and current Duke contributor Kale Catchings.

As a Nike Elite Basketball League coach, he also helped scout and develop the skills of several professional calibre players, including Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets forward Xavier Sneed.

Under Tatum the Hawks have won three of four matches to move off the bottom of the ladder. Picture: Getty

Tatum credits his time in the high school ranks for helping his transition to a head coach role in the NBL.

“I’m enjoying it, but there is a lot more on my plate,” he said.

“I came to Australia to learn how the program works and to enhance myself as much as possible to one day take on a head coaching role.

“Then I got thrown into the fire a couple of months into the role. It’s overwhelming, but at the end of the day I’ve been coaching for 17 years in the high school ranks.

“So, it’s like riding a bike, once you get used to the bike you know what you are doing and I’m starting to get more accustomed to it.”

Jayson Tatum – son of Justin – is one of the highest-profile players in the NBA. Picture: Getty

PROUD DAD

Jayson Tatum’s schoolmates laughed at him when he declared as a starry-eyed schoolboy: “I want to be an NBA player – I want to be the best player in the world.”

Tatum had his goals set high, even from a young age, but his teacher and fellow students were full of doubt.

“My teacher said you need to be more realistic – that probably isn’t going to happen,” Tatum recalled.

“I remember everyone laughing and that was one of my lowest points.”

Dad Justin remembers the moment well, saying it only inspired his son to push harder.

Jayson was also fortunate to spend a lot time at NBA games as a youngster through former shooting guard and family friend, Larry Hughes.

“Larry is one of my best friends, he had 13 years in the NBA and we grew up together,” Justin said about Hughes, who played for eight teams, most notably Philadelphia and Golden State.

Jayson Tatum fires off a shot with LeBron James bearing down on him in last season’s NBA All Star Game. Picture: Getty

“So, Jayson had the chance to go to multiple NBA games to meet players and push his passion from the age of five or six.

“He predetermined what he wanted to do, and once he got locked in on that, we as parents just wanted to keep fuelling the fire no matter what anyone said.”

Today, Tatum has fulfilled his childhood dream.

He is a franchise player for Boston who has made four All-Star appearances, while in November he became the youngest Celtic to reach 10,000 career points at just 25.

Doting dad, Justin, always knew his son possessed the dedication to reach the top.

“It’s something that he has been working towards his own life,” he said.

“His mother and I just wanted to raise a well-mannered and a competitive young man who knows how to go after what he wants in life.

“He has achieved a lot, but he has coloured and painted it all on his own. They are things that we didn’t have to force him to do.

“It’s something that he loved to do, in terms of getting better, getting in the gym or watching film.

“I’m mostly proud that people are proud of who he is, not only as a player, but also as a person.”

Jayson Tatum wanted to become the best player in the world – and he’s right on the doorstep of achieving that goal. Picture: Getty

CHRISTMAS DAY DEBUT

Justin Tatum has spent countless Christmas Days watching his son play NBA basketball for the Boston Celtics.

Jayson will continue the tradition when his Celtics take on the Lakers in Los Angeles, but his dad also has a game on Christmas Day this year.

Tatum senior’s Illawarra Hawks have a festive date with arch rivals the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena – and he can’t wait for the special occasion.

“Yeah, it’s new for me,” Tatum said.

“I’ve never played or coached on Christmas Day, so I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve had a chance to watch Jayson multiple times, so now I get a chance.

“It’s exciting. Everyone will be watching and it will be one of the most televised events on the day, so I’m grateful to be a part of it.”

HIGH ON AUSSIE HOOPS: 

Tatum has only been in Australia since the start of the year, but he already rates the NBL as one of the best breeding grounds in world basketball.

He says the NBL’s Next Stars program – a genuine pathway to the NBA- combined with a competitive league – makes Australia a must-stop destination for any aspiring player.

“It’s unbelievable and the culture is really good out here,” he said.

“Every game you have to bring you best because there is no slouch team. The league is a great pathway for the NBL Next Stars to get to the NBA or college kids to come here because the speed, the physicality isn’t too far off the NBA.

“If you’re a young kid who has aspirations of making it in America, the NBL is a great pathway.”

NBL CHRISTMAS DAY BLOCKBUSTER:

SYDNEY KINGS VS ILLAWARRA HAWKS

Qudos Bank Arena from 7.30pm (AEDT) and Live on ESPN, Kayo and 10 Peach

Originally published as NBL 2023: The LeBron James link inspiring new Illawarra Hawks coach ahead of blockbuster Christmas Day clash