Dellavedova Makes His Mark Cavs’ Scrappy, Hustling Point Guard Has a Breakout Experience in His First NBA Playoffs

Page 20 The Plain Dealer | cleveland.com Special Commemorative Section Can’t wait ’til next year 2014-15 CAVALIERS SEASON IN REVIEW Player profile 8 | Matthew Dellavedova, guard Dellavedova makes his mark Cavs’ scrappy, hustling point guard has a breakout experience in his first NBA playoffs Cavaliers LeBron James and Matthew Dellavedova celebrate their team’s overtime win over Golden State in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 7. Chris Fedor | [email protected] In early January, the Cavs had started slowly, and there were questions about David Blatt’s future and Kevin Love’s early-season Playoff average, struggles. During his defense of the team, GM David Griffin revealed an interesting piece of information: “I think it’s clear that point guard depth is per game something we need to address,” he said. ¶ But no deal could be made, and eventually, the Cavs stuck with Matthew Dellavedova. 34.6% shooting What a ride he had. dova’s hard work, determination USAToday.com produced a “Every time he touches the ball, the most athletic, fastest, greatest Overlooked coming out of high and hustle transformed him into video entitled “Matthew Dellave- every time he gets a stop or what- shooter in our league, I’d put him from the field school in Australia, the player a folk hero. He hit big shots and dova: Where did this guy come ever the case is, 20,000 people go out there with anybody,” LeBron called “Delly” starred at St. Mary’s dove on the floor to win loose from?” Delly was a punchline to berserk,” teammate J.R. Smith James said after Dellavedova’s he- 24.9 minutes before going undrafted and hav- balls. He wrestled with opponents a joke in Jimmy Fallon’s open- said. “Like seriously, that’s a real- roics helped Cleveland eliminate ing to ﬁght for his NBA spot. big and small and gave league ing monologue on “The Tonight life storybook for him. It’s a story- Chicago. 2.1 rebounds Throughout the playoffs, and MVP Stephen Curry ﬁts early in Show,” and his hometown of Ma- book setting.” That was just the beginning of especially after Kyrie Irving was the Finals. ryborough in Australia renamed More importantly, Dellavedova Delly’s legend, the story of the 2.7 assists lost for the NBA Finals with a People all over the globe its sports arena “The Dellavedova became a trusted teammate. overlooked plucky Australian who Game 1 knee injury, Dellave- couldn’t get enough. Dome.” “This guy right here, he’s not became an unlikely star. 7.2 points Photograph by Gus Chan | The Plain Dealer.

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