Basketball: Will the real Tab Baldwin stand up?

Liam Flynn, former Nelson Giants coach, will take on the Hawks' head coach role from Sunday. Photo / File

Could it be Tab Baldwin Mk II?

Hawke's Bay basketball fans will be excused if they ask this question when they see new IMS Payroll Hawks coach Liam Flynn courtside at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena this season. There is a strong resemblance between Baldwin, the Hawks mentor for the 2013-14 seasons, who is now Philippines-based, and his replacement.

In fact Flynn, who at 35 is 21 years younger than the former Tall Blacks head coach, could pass for Baldwin's son. Just as Baldwin did, Flynn, the Nelson Giants head coach for the past two years, will arrive in the Bay with an impressive CV.

Flynn has coached at many levels in Australia including the NBL and was an assistant coach with the Townsville Crocodiles.

In recent years the father of two daughters has coached in Germany's professional league with Giessen 46's of Frankfurt.

Hawks chairman David Aflallo says Flynn is a highly sought after coach and will be a much welcomed addition as the team look to go one better in 2015, with an NBL title.

"We're thrilled to secure Liam, he's got both international and New Zealand experience, with the Giants, and he's motivated to take the IMS Payroll Hawks to a title. It's a real benefit that he's coached in New Zealand and he knows some of the players on our roster," Aflallo says.

Flynn is excited about moving to the Bay and working with the talent developed over the past two seasons.

"I was enjoying a very successful season here in Germany, but this chance to coach the IMS Payroll Hawks in a tough New Zealand league was too good to pass up. I really respected the way the Hawks played the game last season, they played hard, were well-coached and they looked to be a tight-knit group that put winning games above all else," Flynn says.

He stresses he is keen to continue the Hawks' "team first" culture and add his flavour to it.

Flynn is particularly looking forward to coaching point guard Jarrod Kenny, as the role he plays is key to the team's performance, and also reuniting with captain Paora Winitana, who he spent time with at the Adelaide 36ers.

"I think the point guard position is so important to being successful in basketball and having one of the best in the league in Jarrod Kenny is a huge building block for our team.

"I enjoyed coaching Paora back with the Adelaide 36ers in the ANBL. He's one of the hardest-working guys I ever coached and it will be great to be back on court with him."

Flynn can't wait to have Hawks fans on his side.

"The fans make a huge difference, they create an atmosphere that make it hard to play against, they're part of the team."

Naming-rights sponsor Kevin Atkinson of IMS Payroll says Flynn's appointment heralds a new direction for the side and he says it is important fans get in behind Flynn and the team to create a fortress at Pettigrew-Green Arena this season.

Flynn won't have to wait long to prepare the Hawks to take on his former team. The Giants are their first-round opponents at the Arena on April 4.

Flynn will be arriving in Hawke's Bay on Saturday to meet the team. He is holding an open trial on Sunday at the Arena for players hoping to secure a berth on the roster.