Relentless Cav now a cult hero

Associated Press

INDEPENDENCE

The kid was fearless, relentless, a hustler.

Growing up in tiny Maryborough, Australia, Matthew Dellavedova tried every sport. And no matter if it was playing basketball, soccer, Aussie rules football, tennis, cricket or field hockey, the Cavaliers backup point guard went after the ball with disregard for his body.

Face first.

“He’s always been that way,” said his 77-year-old grandfather, Alan Dellavedova, who watches all of Cleveland’s games in Australia. “He doesn’t leave anything out there. What he has, he gives. And if he sees the ball, he wants it.”

It’s been that way in the NBA playoffs.

Dellavedova has become a cult hero in Cleveland, where his play has endeared “Delly” to teammates and fans, who relate to his approach and undrafted underdog story.

It’s the exact opposite in Chicago and Atlanta, where he’s a villain who crashes into players’ knees and irritates opponents.

As he and his Cleveland teammates prepare for this week’s NBA Finals against Golden State, the once obscure Dellavedova has been thrust into an unlikely spotlight. It’s new territory for the easygoing 24-year-old, who has grown a scratchy beard during a postseason in which he’s raised his game while All-Star Kyrie Irving battles knee and foot injuries.

In the closing moments of the Cavs’ series-sweeping win over the Hawks, Dellavedova stepped to the foul line inside a rumbling Quicken Loans Arena and bathed in Cleveland’s love as 20,000 fans chanted “Del-lee, Del-lee.”

If not for Dellavedova’s contributions, the Cavs may not have beaten the Bulls. With Irving on the bench in Game 6 with his knee wrapped, Dellavedova, scored 19 points to help Cleveland advance.

The points were a bonus from the 6-foot-4 Dellavedova, whose primary role is to provide defense and keep things going while Irving’s off the floor.

Actually, Dellavedova’s most impactful plays this postseason have come with him on the floor — down, on the floor.

Against Chicago, he skirmished with Bulls forward Taj Gibson, who angrily reacted to Dellavedova scissor-locking one of his legs and was ejected. In Cleveland’s series against Atlanta, Dellavedova lunged for a loose ball, rolling over and injuring Hawks shooter Kyle Korver, who was knocked from the series and underwent surgery. He also tangled with Atlanta’s Al Horford, who threw an elbow, got tossed and then accused Dellavedova of being dirty.