Beveridge lays down the law

Sydney Spirit coach Rob Beveridge has put his players on notice following Sunday's 10-point defeat at the hands of the defending premier.

While the Melbourne Tigers entered the season opener as heavy favourites, Beveridge believes a spate of basic errors rather than the superior play of Al Westover's men, led to the loss.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with the Hawks in Wollongong, the former Boomers assistant challenged his charges to prove they are up to NBL standards or risk spending the season on the sidelines.

"We as an organisation and coaches have made the decision we're not going to put up with mediocrity - simple as that," Beveridge warned.

"We are going to be unbelievably demanding and if the players can't handle that they simply won't be playing."

"We have to make a statement to the players that we're not going to accept the same mistakes that they made last year and that we are now one year down the track and that they have to be a lot more accountable for themselves."

"If we don't start to see some serious change they simply won't be playing the minutes they have in the past."

Despite his scathing review of his side's opening display, Beveridge believes the decision to throw the likes of Julian Khazzouh, Matt Knight and Damian Martin in at the deep end last year will begin to pay dividends as the season progresses.

But the no-nonsense coach made it clear simply being competitive is no longer good enough, a called on his charges to start winning.

"If the players only want to compete this year against the teams it could be another long year," he said.

"We've got to change our mindset, we've got to start beating teams and they've got to start to believe that they can actually do that."

But while Beveridge expects results, he knows defeating a Hawks line-up bolstered by the return of favourite son Glen Saville and new recruit Dusty Rychart on their home floor will take some doing.

"On paper no doubt," Beveridge said when asked if the Hawks deserve the favourite's tag ahead of Saturday's clash.

"We played them in the pre-season and we beat them down in Wollongong and then they beat us in Sydney, but to me they will definitely be favourites on their home court without question."