After a season which would likely be his worst at NBA level, the pressure is on Matthew Dellavedova to return to the form that first resulted in signing a $38 million, four-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Having seemed bulletproof previously, ‘Delly’ was hampered by troublesome injuries with both knee and ankles issues limiting him to just 38 regular season games. With two years left on the contact signed prior the 2016-17 season, fans and the front office in Milwaukee will want to see a better return on their investment than the one produced last season.
A championship winner for Cleveland in 2016, Dellavedova’s lengthy contract seemed to be vindicated after a solid first season at the Bucks. He averaged career highs in minutes, points, assists and steals per game during the 16-17 season, performing well with 7.7 points per game during the Bucks’ sole playoff series that season.
Last season his 38 regular season games were his lowest in his NBA career, far worse than his previous low (67 with the Cavaliers in 2014-15). Whilst fit, coach Jason Kidd, and then interim Joe Prunty, both preferred alternative options to Dellavedova, especially after the mid-season inclusion of Eric Bledsoe via trade.
The hiring of new coach Mike Budenholzer may create further opportunities for Dellavedova given his prowess on the defensive end. Budenholzer led the Atlanta Hawks to the top of the Eastern Conference in the 2014-15 season, priding himself on defence and conceding the fifth least points as a team that season.
Last season the Bucks saw the Bucks concede the ninth highest opponent field goal percentage, a huge reason for Budenholzer’s appointment and his defensive focus is something that Dellavedova can certainly play a key role in.
Although the Bucks are fairly guard heavy right now, Dellavedova can still expect to play a key part in the bench rotation should he return to somewhere his previous form. In contrast to last season where Tony Snell usually started at the two guard, the ideal set up would be for Budenholzer to start both Bledsoe and Brogdon in the guard positions. This seems plausible and would allow Dellavedova to be the clear cut back up point guard off the bench.
From an Australian standpoint, Dellavedova’s injury and form issues would suggest that he would likely no longer be in the Boomers starting line-up if the Olympics were held tomorrow.
With the make-up of the Australian team also being guard heavy with Delly, Patty Mills and Dante Exum all capable of playing point guard, his return to form is critical for both his NBA resurgence and the Boomers chances of winning a gold medal.
It will be a redemption season for Delly in both green and white and green and gold uniforms in 2019. If anyone has the capability, work ethic and “grit” to do so… it’s the boy from Maryborough.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
