HELLO DELLY! MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA RETURNS TO CAVS

Affectionately known as “Delly” to basketball fans, Dellavedova was a key member of the Cavs’ 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks later that summer.

He will also be a strong candidate for the Boomers’ team to contest the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and two much-anticipated games against USA Basketball in his home town of Melbourne next August.

Purchase the perfect Christmas Gift TODAY!! General Public tickets for Game Two, Australian Boomers against USA Basketball at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday 24 August have sold out, limited tickets remain for Game One on Thursday 22 August. Hospitality packages are still available for both games. Tickets selling fast, secure your seats NOW from Ticketmaster.

The best way to explain Dellavedova to those who haven’t seen him on a basketball court is to keep it simple.

The Maryborough raised point guard is not the most athletic, not the fastest player, nor the best shooter but he wins games.

His competitive spirit is as strong as anyone who has worn the green and gold and saw him play a critical role in the NBA during his first stint with the Cavs.

Boomers coaches have long been impressed by how often Delly drives his side with his passing, direction and dogged defence all playing big roles.

Fans in the US didn’t immediately realise Delly’s talents when he went undrafted in 2013, before the Cleveland Cavaliers signed him for training camp.

The Cavaliers knew what he was capable of having seen him play for the Boomers at the London Olympics and in earlier events where he hustled against proven international stars and showed he was worthy of being on the same court.

Just making one NBA roster was a surprise to those who didn’t believe in the then 23-year-old and it wasn’t until LeBron James arrived back home in Cleveland in June 2014 that everything changed for Delly.

As the Cavaliers re-stocked their team with veterans ahead of the 2014/15 season, they retained the dogged Australian and he quickly won over James with his determined play.

In game one of that season’s NBA Finals, the Cavaliers lost Kyrie Irving to a knee injury late in game one and Dellavedova had to take charge of the offence. He did his all, winning scores of fans with an inspired game two performance and another marathon effort in game three, where he helped his side to a memorable victory.

All around the world and especially back in Australia, people wanted to know about the undrafted, unknown Australian who was attempting to guard NBA MVP Stephen Curry with games two and three drawing enormous television audiences.

Fatigue became an issue for Delly in the end but he and the Cavaliers would have their revenge the next season winning the 2016 NBA championship and giving the Australian star the biggest achievement of his US career.

But Delly, who was signed to a life-changing contract by the Milwaukee Bucks following the Cavs’ title win, has always said his greatest moment was playing for the Boomers at the Olympics.

After missing out on medals in London and Rio, Delly is now eyeing up a spot in the team to chase a medal at next year’s FIBA World Cup.

Having returned to Cleveland, the 28-year-old will also hope to be in the line-up when the Boomers take on USA Basketball at Marvel Stadium in August and the revered scrapper always relishes the chance to take on the NBA’s best players.

Thursday 22 August 2019 – Tickets and Hospitality Packages selling fast!

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Tip Off:  7.30pm
BUY HERE

Saturday 24 August 2019 – General Public tickets sold out, Hospitality Packages remain

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Tip Off:  2.00pm
BUY HERE

Supplied by TEG Live

The post HELLO DELLY! MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA RETURNS TO CAVS appeared first on Basketball Australia.

Over the weekend, Australian Boomers favourite Matthew Dellavedova returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA via a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.

The post HELLO DELLY! MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA RETURNS TO CAVS appeared first on Basketball Australia.