“Huge” LeBron James fever excites Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles reunited with Dante Exum

MATTHEW Dellavedova is expecting the fervour that surrounds LeBron James to reach fever-pitch levels when Cleveland opens its NBA season.

MATTHEW Dellavedova is expecting the fervour that surrounds LeBron James to reach fever-pitch levels when Cleveland opens its NBA season against the New York Knicks.

“You can feel the difference in media attention,” the Victorian told Slam.

“The focus on LeBron is so huge, on everything he does.”

And Dellavedova can’t wait to strut his stuff beside ‘King James’.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Dellavedova said.

In his second year playing for the Cavs, the Aussie says the fever surrounding LeBron James’ return home has revitalised the franchise.

Cleveland Cavaliers' Matthew Dellavedova during pre-season.

“I remember our first game last year, and that was a pretty crazy atmosphere. So it’s hard to picture what it’s going to be like on Thursday [Friday morning, Australian time],” Dellavedova said.

“But I know how passionate our fans are, and when LeBron takes the floor it’s going to be crazy in there.”

With the world’s best player now on the team, flanked by Kevin Love and Australian-born, US-raised Kyrie Irving, Cleveland are hot favourites to win the Larry O’Brien trophy this season.

As they welcomed new faces on the roster, Dellavedova credits a pre-season trip to Brazil playing against the Miami Heat for bringing the team together.

“I think we really bonded as a team on the trip. It was perfect timing with so many new guys. We really got to know each other. That bond will be important,” he said.

“It’s going to be challenging all season. I think the Eastern Conference is going to be pretty tough this year.”

Meanwhile fellow Australian Joe Ingles has touched down in Utah and commenced training with his new team after the LA Clippers cut him.

Joe Ingles will be reunited with Dante Exum.

Ingles said he stayed in LA for a few days, working out and shopping with his fiance, but the uncertainty of where he would go next was a little unsettling.

“It’s been pretty crazy,” Ingles said after practice.

“I’ve never been in a situation like this. I’ve just parked myself in Europe for a while.

“I was learning another system for four or five weeks, so it’s a whole new system, new players and coaches.”

The one thing that will make his transition easier is playing in the same team as Boomers buddy, Dante Exum.

“Very happy to be here and to look after the young fella, Dante,” Ingles said.

“We’ve got a great relationship, we were roommates with the national team, and I might even try to room together here. He’s a great kid. It’ll be good for him, for me to be here, and definitely for me to bounce things off him, seeing as I don’t know much about the system.

“I just want to go out and help whatever way I can. The team we’ve got is young and has a lot of talent as well, so it’s pretty exciting to be a part of it.”

Originally published as “Huge” LeBron James fever excites Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles reunited with Dante Exum