Dellavedova in “crazy shape”

Matthew Dellavedova has a basketball resume the envy of many. He’s an NBA champion, Olympic medallist and has played over 500 games in the world’s best league. 

But at 33 years of age and with so many great achievements already to his name, it seems ‘Delly’ is desperate to achieve another milestone – an NBL championship.

The returning Melbourne star has been one of the standouts at the Hungry Jack’s NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast, with a 28-point game in United’s opener against Brisbane, followed by a 20-point, five-rebound, three-assist haul in a win over Illawarra.

According to teammate Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Dellavedova’s form is the result of one thing – hard work. 

“He’s jacked, like super jacked. He’s in crazy shape,” Lual-Acuil Jr explained on Melbourne United’s Extra Pass podcast.

“I think this version of Delly against the last version of Delly, this Delly would probably kill him.”

Given Dellavedova has built his game on an incredible will to win and never give up, it’s a scary thought for opposition teams heading into NBL24.

He’s in better shape than ever, and no doubt desperate to bounce back from the disappointment of missing the Boomers’ World Cup campaign. 

United won all three games at the Blitz, with some new faces stepping up, and returning young guns taking another stride in their development.

Next Star Ariel Hukporti has shown just what he can offer as Melbourne’s number one big man, in Lual-Acuil’s absence.

19 points and eight boards against the reigning champion Sydney Kings is perhaps a sign of what’s to come in NBL24, from the 21-year-old.. 

“With Ariel (Hukporti), what you see is what you get from him every time he steps out there. The energy that he plays with, shot blocking ability, the physicality that he’s able to bring on the floor,” Lual-Acuil Jr continued. 

“LT (Luke Travers), he’s very athletic which caught me off guard. He’s probably the second fastest on the team behind Shil (Shea Ili), which is crazy.

“He’s super athletic and his instincts are crazy so I’m really excited to get on the court with those guys and see what kind of chemistry we can have together.”

“Shili is one of the best defenders in the league. Seeing how much his game has developed now, I think he’s going to be one of the best players in the NBL with the form that he’s playing with now and the confidence that he has.

“It’s a luxury to have a guy like Shili where it’s like, if we’re having trouble with a guard or there’s a really good guard that we’re going to be playing, we’re just like ‘oh yeah, we’ll be sweet, we have Shili.

“A lot of teams don’t have that and Shili is for sure the best defender in the league. I still don’t know how he hasn’t won a Defensive Player of the Year.”

United fans will get to see Hukporti, Travers and Ili in action in a sold-out clash at John Cain Arena next Thursday night, as the season tips off from 7.30pm AEST.

NBA star Scottie Pippen will be in attendance, with the game live on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel. 

Read the full story here >> JLA breaks down excitement over stacked United lineup