Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ 21-point dismantling of the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of the second round was due in large part to the 19-point performance of Matthew Dellavedova. Not only did he have more points, more threes, and a higher plus-minus than LeBron James, he also held Derrick Rose to 14 points. This was the playoffs version of Rose that many observers said was playing his best basketball since his MVP campaign in the 2011-12 season.
Seeing Dellavedova at the post-game press conference with James and Tristan Thompson seemed to validate the second-year point guard’s arrival in the NBA and quiet his many naysayers. With the Eastern Conference Finals looming against either the first-seeded Atlanta Hawks or the ascendant Washington Wizards, Cleveland knew it would need everything the Saint Mary’s product had to offer.
Internet-meme writers went crazy after the victory, recalling all of Dellavedova’s nicknames, from Delly Trey to The Corner(stone) Delly to SuperDova. The last may be the most fitting. A supernova is when a star explodes and expels as much energy in that short moment as a sun or ordinary star expels in its whole lifetime. Supernovas are triggered either by nuclear fusion in a degenerate star or by the collapse of a massive star. Is there a better metaphor to describe what was happening in Game 6 before Dellavedova essentially took over?
Recall that he came in at the beginning of the second quarter when Kyrie Irving re-aggravated his already-injured leg. Up to that point, Irving had essentially been a non-factor, scoring just six points in 12 minutes with zero assists and a negative plus-minus. Nonetheless, not having the option of a transcendent point guard can be disquieting, particularly when the backup averages less than five points and shoots under 40 percent. But as every Cleveland fan knows, Dellavedova’s contributions, much like his mentor Anderson Varejao‘s, don’t always show up in the stat box. Fortunately, he had the opportunity to boost a few numbers that night. As the rest of the team was collapsing, Dellavedova’s star shone brightly.
The opening half of tonight’s 97-89 victory over Atlanta was a different story. Fresh off of his supernova performance, Dellavedova came into the game perhaps a bit too confident, going 0-for-6 on the whole, four of those misses coming in the second quarter alone. Shooting slumps are something Dellavedova is used to. After all, 19 points wouldn’t be all that impressive for say, James or Irving. Even J.R. Smith can be counted on for double digit totals. The reason Dellavedova is so valuable is because of his hustle and defense. But even that seemed to be lacking tonight.
One crucial example came at the end of the half. With less than five seconds to go, Atlanta’s backup point guard Dennis Schroder took an inbound pass and let the ball roll so that the clock wouldn’t expire. Dellavedova, who we’ve seen press players with even a full clock, watched until Schroder finally picked up the ball at the half-court line. Dribbling to the basket, Schroder drew everyone to him, leaving Kent Bazemore open for the jumper, which he sunk to tie the game.
The second-half Dellavedova was more reminiscent of what we’re used to seeing. Although the rest of his shots were misses, he only took two more. This is the tempered, patient, disciplined Dellavedova that has rightfully earned his spot on a team that Vegas oddsmakers still claim will win the Finals. He had three assists and finished with a plus-10 in 25 minutes of play. This is the Dellavedova we need to see for the next three (and hopefully no more) games.
Basketball is not astronomy, and lightning unfortunately rarely strikes twice. We may never see a performance like Game 6 against Chicago, but that’s okay. The Cavaliers just need the real Matthew Dellavedova.
