Flashback to the very end of Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The 24 year old formerly anonymous, undrafted replacement guard Matthew Dellavedova of the Cleveland Cavaliers was being taken by ambulance from the Quicken Loans Arena to the hospital for “severe cramping”. He was treated with intravenous fluids and sent then to the Cleveland Clinic for more treatment. In a blue collar town like Cleveland, this latest drama only enhanced his almost legendary “bulldog” status. He even took on Bulls’ Taj Gibson and Hawks’ Al Horford– veterans twice his size-getting both players ejected for retaliating. And it is not going unnoticed. His jersey is flying off Jersey sales shelves second only to the King. In his native Australia, his hometown of Marysborough with a population of just above 8,000 residents has named its sports complex the “Dellavedova Dome”. Although he is a solid three point shooter, his claim to fame is he is an “annoying player”. One you love to have on your team but, as Stephen Curry readily acknowledges, hate to play against. He scraps, he defends, he dives and yet incredibly he rarely fouls. Before tonight’s critical Game 4, let’s re-visit the game changing guard that refuses to accept his “limitations”.
Not quick enough, no lateral movement, not strong, not drafted, all accurately describe the newest “zero to hero” NBA star, Cavalier Matthew Dellavedova. But as of the Bulls playoff knockout game, the Cavs sneakily displayed their newest and most unlikely “X factor villain”, Forget the curious “leg lock” that so infruriated ejected Taj Gibson, “Delly” sparkled with Kyrie Irving being injured by scoring 19 points on a sizzling 7 for 11, with 3 from behind the arc, to bury the Bulls. He then annoyed Horford, a Hawk twice his size getting him angered and ejected. In these Finals he has Curry clearly off shooting kilter and clearly establishing himself as the “X Factor”.
“How” and “why” has NBA pundits scratching their heads. Some knew already what we all know now. Let’s start with NBA Development League Coach, Brett Brown in 2009. After being undrafted despite a career at St. Marys where his number was retired, Delly was one of five players that went undrafted that were invited to the Boomers Summer League team. A ritual at this home of last chances, for those who aspire to play in the NBA was the 3 on 3 games between prospects. Under the watchful eye of Coach Brown, Delly’s squad won the first four contests. Coach with the keen eye halted proceedings and on a hunch “traded” Delly to the other team. Confirming his suspicion, the new Delly team won the next three games. “The leadership, that’s the intangible, so hard to find”.
The analysis now moves to the new NBA where the ultimate assessment always comes from other players. The scouts had correctly predicted that Delly would not be drafted, he lacked ball handling, quickness, strength, body type and leaping ability. Actually he lacked all the things that made Anthony Bennett the number one draft pick in the 2013 Draft, and we all know how that story ended. Delly was a hidden nugget, a coach’s player, a team first guy with boundless energy and work ethic that makes him a defensive stopper. Wizards star Bradley Beal described Delly as a “pest, but at the same time one of the top three ‘one on one’ defenders in the NBA”. But shutting down the League MVP, shocking to say the least. Smart works, too. Revisit the Gibson “leglock”, Bulls fans were infuriated but at the end of the day, Gibson was ejected and Delly was handed a NBA slap on the wrist with a $2,000 fine. Even the blue collar Delly can afford that with his modest NBA (2-year, $1.3 million) salary. Re-visit the early exit for Hawk star Horford. Seriously what were Gibson and Horford thinking in retrospect?
Even though he was un-drafted, In 2013, Delly was coming out of a college at St. Marys, where he set numerous records and was the 2012 W.C.C. Player of the Year. Typically, not defeated by not being selected, he openly advocated Plan B which was making the NBA through the back door of the NBA Development League. This is the home of the long-shots. Despite the college accolades as the 73rd ranked prospect, he had his work cut out for him. His shortcomings are well defined. He struggles with sub standard NBA ball handling and is relatively slow and at 6’4″ and 190 lbs. NBA undersized. These obstacles are the same ones Delly must overcome every day he goes to work. His pro role was quickly reaching a limitation, a ceiling, so he created a niche, a “pest role” where he could not only survive but excel . Tenacious exhausting defense, spot up 3’s and be solid offensively with an above average field and free throw percentage. His two year career lines reflect this, 20 minutes a game, 40% shooting, 40% threes and 80% free throws. This Coach’s player is best at short shifts, pressing defense and inspiring comebacks with a change of pace. Any long term starts can be problematic, exposing the weaknesses, below standard ball handling and streaky shooting as minutes increase. Good illustration was in a start in 2013 versus Celtics where in 36 starting minutes he shot only 3 of 12, not his strength, not his role. In the Playoff run what becomes evident is that for Delly to have an influence he must play. Compare Game 3 Warriors where he scored 20 points, had 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 39 minutes with only 3 fouls. In In the Game 1 Warriors OT loss 108-100 he only played 9 minutes behind Kyrie and had 0 points with 3 assists. With Kyrie gone, it looks like the Dagger will play close to 40 minutes a game for the duration of the Finals.
His unique background and up-bringing help explain his unbelievable work ethic and his propensity to lead. In Australi, there is no high school basketball. If your identified as having talent you are invited to a regional Athletic club, where you receive the best coaching and competition. Both his parents were athletic, mother a “netballer” and father played Aussie Rules Football. No doubt, Delly’s toughness comes from him playing competitive Aussie rules and his father mentored him well. His sister, Yana played college basketball at Long Beach State 2012-2013. Putting country first, Delly played for his native Australia from 2009-2013. He was a key part of two Gold medals and one Silver medal in FIBA competitions. Typical Delly, he was supposed to be the understudy to the star, Patty Mills but was clearly the nationals MVP. Foreshadowing these Finals where countryman Warrior Andrew Bogut, the star and Dellavedova the also ran. Not quite mate!
His family helped him develop his humility, his modesty, his like-ability. He shuns fashion, image or words for that matter. He dresses in jeans and a hoodie, typical Aussie dress down with a love of coffee. LeBron wanting to keep Delly firing in the closeout game, brought him a coffee at halftime. Now that’s like-able, the best player in the world recognizing your contribution and bringing you a coffee speaks volumes. At the post game, Delly summarized it as “extra fluff, all the stuff that matters is on the court”. How old is he again? 24 and with that kind if perspective? Testament to his unlikely and improbable success. When recently asked how he would like to guard a player like him, he smiled and wryly said, “Too annoying” played heavy minutes. Not sure what’s next but the fascination will continue tonight with our most unlikely and newest hoops hero- he will “Mattify” you!