Dellavedova warns Giddey to prepare for closer NBA defences

Few Australians know the demands of the NBA better than Matthew Dellavedova and as he watches Josh Giddey star in the opening games of his rookie season, the NBA championship winner is impressed.

Dellavedova is preparing for his first season with NBL champions Melbourne United and the 31-year-old still aims to return to the NBA in the future, building on his eight years with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks.

Matthew Dellavedova attacks the basket at Melbourne United training.Credit:Melbourne United

With United heavily into their preparations for the new season, which tips off on December 2, Dellavedova has only been following his Australian Boomers teammates and the Cavaliers. He has warned 19-year-old Giddey that teams will have more stringent defensive plans ready for him after he helped spearhead his Oklahoma City Thunder side to an upset win over the LA Lakers last week.

“He just looks very comfortable already,” Dellavedova told The Sunday Age.

“Not many people and not many rookies can come in, make the right plays and feel comfortable doing that but obviously playing against men last year in the NBL helped him.

“His game is suited to the NBA because it’s so spread out that he can run pick and rolls with the defence spread, and then he’s big enough to see over the defence and make the right plays. Defenders can’t really speed him up either because he just keeps them on his hip and goes at his own pace.”

But Dellavedova knows NBA coaches will quickly find ways to make Giddey less comfortable as the 82-game regular season drags on.

“It’s really exciting that he’s started this well and obviously that they’re going to be scouting him harder and finding out what his tendencies are – that there’s going to be a challenge for him,” Dellavedova said.

“There’s going to be ups and downs over the course of the season. He’s a smart kid and very mature, so he’s going to keep it pretty level. It’s going to be fun to see what he does for the rest of the season.”

New Melbourne United signing Matthew Dellavedova goes up for a lay-up.Credit:Melbourne United

Lockdowns, wild weather and a delayed NBL season greeted Dellavedova, wife Anna and almost two-year-old son Anders upon their move to Melbourne but the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist looked to the positive in that it has allowed the family to slowly adjust to their new home.

“Once we got set up and settled in we found some local coffee shops we like and local playgrounds,” Dellavedova said.

“When you have kids you end up exploring the city by the different parks and playgrounds. There are a lot of good ones around Melbourne, so we’re getting recommendations for good ones to check out.

“You have to find the positive in everything, including lockdown, so usually when we are back here visiting for a month you catch up with mates and extended family plus working out and getting ready for Boomers games,” Dellavedova said.

“It’s awesome but not necessarily very relaxing. But we have been able to get settled in, we are here for the whole year, so there is no mad rush, and we can enjoy different things, like going to the beach.

“Usually we are back in July when it’s much colder and I thought the crazy weather in Melbourne was only during winter, I didn’t know it would be in October.”

On the court, Dellavedova has worked hard to build up the strength in his legs and learn about the differences he will face playing in the NBL as opposed to the NBA.

United faces a tough task to repeat as champions having lost star centre Jock Landale to the San Antonio Spurs, point guard Mitch McCarron to Adelaide, impact players Scotty Hopson and Yudai Baba to the NBA G-League and veteran Dave Andersen to retirement.

Still, with Dellavedova on board, along with import guard Caleb Agada, Brad Newley and young German centre Ariel Hukporti to their championship-winning core, United expect to be in the title discussion in what looks a very tight season.

“I feel like it has been a good, steady build-up,” Dellavedova said.

“By the time the season comes I’m going to be sharp and ready to go.

“I haven’t seen a lot of NBA games as we usually train in the mornings [when most games are on] but it’s definitely a goal to get back there and play in the NBA.

“Right now I’m focused on learning United’s system and what guys on the team like to do on both ends of the floor and getting better here.”

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