Sport
25 September, 2023
Delly back on home ground
Matthew Dellavedova is entering the 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season with a genuine point to prove. The Maryborough product is preparing for his second season with Melbourne United, just months after playing his part in getting...
Matthew Dellavedova is entering the 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season with a genuine point to prove.
The Maryborough product is preparing for his second season with Melbourne United, just months after playing his part in getting American team the Sacramento Kings into the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs for the first time since 2006.
If his performance at the recent NBL Blitz pre-season tournament is anything to go by, it might be scary hours for the best defenders in the league.
Dellavedova put on a show in his first two games in the tournament as Melbourne United went on to win the competition, scoring 28 points in 19 minutes to help United defeat the Brisbane Bullets, before a 17-point first quarter burst saw him score 20 points in 22 minutes against the Illawarra Hawks, with his shooting a clear focus, hitting four three-pointers in each game.
From the outside, one could suggest that Dellavedova missing out on the recent FIBA World Cup for Australia has lit a bonfire under a man who has been celebrated as one of the most dogged players to pull on a basketball jersey in recent times, including as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA championship in 2015/16.
For the man himself, however, it’s clear that he has unfinished business with United first of all — with whom he earned second-team All-NBL honours in 2021-22 — which he believes will help him secure a fourth appearance in the Olympics in Paris in 2024.
“The main focus for me is to improve my game to give Melbourne United the best chance to win a championship. It’s the goal of all the players and people at the club,” he said.
“Falling short in the semis two years ago was disappointing after a great regular season, so that’s the focus for everyone involved, and then after that, my goals are to finish the season off with an NBA team and make the Olympic team in Paris as well.
“There are some great young players coming through, and it’s definitely my goal to play alongside them at the Olympics.”
Returning home offers Dellavedova the opportunity to be at his most relaxed, and says that he has spent some good time with family and friends since making his return to Victoria.
“I’ve been getting a lot of time with mum, dad and my sisters, which has been awesome, and I look forward to seeing them a lot more and mates from home as well,” he said.
However, getting to gel with what looks to be a stacked United roster has allowed Dellavedova the opportunity to lead the way in his return.
United boasts a mix including experienced NBL players such as Chris Goulding, Shea Ili and Brad Newley, while younger players, such as Luke Travers and Ariel Hukporti, are looking to make their mark, all under the guidance of experienced coach Dean Vickerman, who is spending his seventh year in charge.
It all adds up to the perfect recipe for the 2023/24 season, according to Dellavedova.
“I’m really honoured to be back with Melbourne United. We have a great group this season, so it should be a fun one,” he said.
“We have a great mix of veterans and players that have played in the NBL for a while, and younger guys that are looking to make their mark.
“It’s hard to single anyone out as we have a deep roster, and a lot of guys that work extremely hard that have a ton of potential, that I think can go on to have great careers.
“I think the club has done a great job with player development on the court and in the weight room, spending time with physios and strength and conditioning coaches, so it’s a great place to get better and the body is feeling great, so I’m looking forward to getting the season started.”
Dellavedova reflected on his time with Sacramento as the Kings played an exciting brand of basketball, which saw them record the highest offensive rating ever recorded in an NBA season, while also recording an incredible 120.7 points per game.
Clearly, his stint at the Kings, where he was able to play alongside young stars such as De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, reflected on Dellavedova’s aggressive offensive play during the NBL Blitz, and will also reflect in how he helps United’s younger brigade go to the next level.
“The Sacramento guys were already good young players and hard workers and go about it the right way, so it was a lot of fun playing with those guys, and we had a great group overall,” he said.
“I’m always trying to help the team and my teammates get better, so any way I can do that, whether it’s by example or giving tips here and there, I’m always looking for that.”
Once Dellavedova runs amok during the NBL season, home will be calling.
“It’s [Maryborough] a tight-knit community, and a great sporting town in so many different kinds of sports. It’s an awesome place to grow up, playing sports with my mates, and I’m looking forward to spending more time in town after the season,” he said.
Dellavedova’s campaign will start on Thursday night when United meet South East Melbourne Phoenix in the first installment of their cross-town rivalry, colloquially referred to as the “Throwdown”, at John Cain Arena.