Dellavedova's unique tools will keep him in NBA

Aussie basketballer Matthew Dellavedova is not going to wow anybody with his athleticism, but he’s getting it done anyway, having just secured his place with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the start of the 2013-14 NBA season.

When Cleveland’s backup guard Jarrett Jack missed the majority of the preseason with a sore knee, Dellavedova seized his chance and solidified his place in the squad.

Dellavedova is the latest Aussie product to make it to the NBA, joining veterans such as Andrew Bogut, Kyrie Irving, Patty Mills and Aron Baynes.

Like those who came before, he was a product of the college system, playing for St Mary’s College (Patty Mills’ alma mater) for four years.

He enters the NBA as St Mary’s all-time leader in assists, scoring, games played and both free-throw and three-point shooting.

Unfortunately that’s where the similarities end between the undrafted ‘Delly’ and his fellow Aussies, but what makes him unique might be the very reason why the Victorian native could succeed and stick around in the NBA.

Certainly, he doesn’t have Bogut’s NBA-ideal stature, or Irving’s or Mills’ speed or athleticism. But what he does have is a strong work ethic, a toughness and a very high basketball IQ.

All three are what allowed him to catch the eye of coaches during the Summer League for the Cavaliers, earning him the preseason play, and all three are what saw him finally make the team just a few days ago.

During the preseason Dellavedova did a good job running the offence when on the court, often shifting from shooting to point guard.

This is turn allowed him to share time with superstar Irving and gain some much-needed experience with one of the best.

He has shown himself more than willing to take contact, and while his game might be labeled ‘ugly’ he’s very good at spacing the court and being where he needs to be, opening up shots for himself and teammates. A must for any guard.

‘Scrappy’ might be a good way to describe him.

“Delly just brings a toughness, and even though he’s a rookie, a veteran feel to the ball club that you can’t get out of young guys,” Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown said after practice last Friday.

Former Boomers and now Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown had similar praise for the Australian.

“Matt Dellavedova, when you start talking about the character and DNA of people, he ticks the right way. He’s a country Victorian, true Aussie that is a headbanger,” Brown said before their preseason game last week.

“He plays with reckless abandon. There’s a physicality to him and a toughness you fall in love with. He at times might not be pretty, he’s a little bit Neanderthal in how he goes about his business, but he’s for real.”

Labelling him a ‘neanderthal’ might be something of a backhanded compliment, but few coaches know him as well as Brown, and it’s clear he holds the rookie in high regard.

That maturity undoubtedly comes from his experience as a Boomer, representing Australia in the London Olympics and from being a leader with St Mary’s during his four years in college.

Having an ‘NBA body’ will get your foot in the door, but to stick around in the NBA, especially as an undrafted player, you need to show a work ethic and willingness to do whatever it takes.

It’s that ethic that will keep him in the NBA.

Character might be in short supply in pro sports, especially in the drama-filled Association, but in Dellavedova’s case it’s those intangibles – a term I’m not overly fond of – that caught Cleveland’s eye, earning him his place on the roster, and they might be his best shot at sticking around.

Of course, it won’t be easy, and the odds are stacked against the Victorian.

He didn’t see any court time during the Cavaliers’ season opener on Wednesday night, but you can bet he will be ready when his chance comes, always working in the background, making the most out of every opportunity.