Sport
1 April, 2024
Delly a chance for 2024 Paris Olympics
Maryborough local Matthew Dellavedova fell excruciatingly short of putting together one of the most unbelievable moments in National Basketball League (NBL) history, narrowly missing a half-court buzzer beater to decide the championship series...
Maryborough local Matthew Dellavedova fell excruciatingly short of putting together one of the most unbelievable moments in National Basketball League (NBL) history, narrowly missing a half-court buzzer beater to decide the championship series between Melbourne United and the Tasmania Jack Jumpers.
Having gone down 2-1 in the best-of-five series, Melbourne United came to Tasmania on Thursday night to keep their championship chances alive, and duly delivered with an 88-86 victory.
Dellavedova was one of the better performers throughout the game, scoring 15 points and connecting on six of his 13 shots, while also dishing out six assists and collecting five rebounds in what was a typical Dellavedova performance, getting his teammates involved, while also showing off his three-level scoring.
But what was most crucial about Dellavedova’s game on Thursday night was his ability to score in the clutch, giving Melbourne a lead they would not relinquish with 11 seconds to go thanks to hitting a driving lay-up, and was also instrumental in gaining a steal in the final minute, which ended in a basket to Shea Ili to reduce the margin to one point.
As a result of his heroics, Dellavedova was widely seen as the best player of the game for Melbourne United.
On Sunday, Melbourne United returned to John Cain Arena, hoping to collect the title in the winner-take-all decider.
In a high-octane opening quarter, Dellavedova made his presence felt with five points and three assists to give Melbourne United a five-point quarter time lead.
But Tasmania’s Jordan Crawford kept the Jack Jumpers in the game, scoring 27 points in the first half to help tie things up at the main break.
Dellavedova again helped out in the third quarter with some good plays, scoring twice and also dishing out two assists as Melbourne United were taking charge, eventually taking a four-point lead going into the final quarter of the season.
Tasmania made their move when Dellavedova was subbed out of the game during the last quarter, turning their four-point deficit into a four-point lead.
But 30 seconds after Dellavedova returned to the game with just under three minutes left, he was able to hit an important bucket to reduce the lead to two points.
Two misses by Dellavedova, however, saw Tasmania continue to assume control right until the end.
With just seconds remaining, Tasmania were unable to control an inbounds pass, and Dellavedova had an opportunity to steal the championship for Melbourne United.
It was a tough shot from half court as time expired, but Dellavedova was unable to connect, hitting the side of the rim, with United going down 83-81.
It was an unlucky way to end what has been, arguably, one of the best passages of Dellavedova’s storied career in basketball, having made his argument for a spot in the Australian Boomers’ 2024 Olympic squad loud and clear after playing some outstanding basketball throughout the NBL playoffs.
Dellavedova added 13 points and seven assists for the game as he continued to show his all-round excellence on the court.
Such has been his form, Boomers’ coach Brian Goorjian has guaranteed that he will have the opportunity to win his way into the Olympic squad, and will look to make a mark ahead of selection for the Paris Olympics.
“I’m excited to have Delly in (Boomers) camp and I have really enjoyed his grand final series so far,” Goorjian told Code Sports.
“I listen to a lot of different opinions on Delly’s series and to me he is playing at an extremely high level in all areas of his game.
“The end result is he is a winner and will do whatever it takes.”
Speaking to Code Sports following Dellavedova’s game four heroics, Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman also said Dellavedova would be ready for any opportunity he might have to make it back to the National Basketball Association (NBA).
“After our season, there may be interest from the NBA, you never know. He’s always got his hand up,” he said.
“I think he’ll leave Melbourne fairly quickly after Sunday and he’ll put himself in a position to be back in the States and, if there’s an opportunity, an injury, whatever it is, he’ll be available and ready to go for an NBA team.”