NBL 2023: Matthew Dellavedova signs with NBA’s Kings, Xavier Cooks still hoping for NBA call
Matthew Dellevadova is officially back in the NBA - inking a deal that increases Australia’s representation in the league to double figures.
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Boomers star Matthew Dellavedova is officially back in the NBA.
The point guard, who won an NBA championship with Cleveland in 2016 and also had a two-year stint for the Milwaukee Bucks, earned one of the final roster spots on strugglers the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski Dellevadova signed alongside forwards KZ Okpala and Chima Moneke.
Forwards KZ Okpala and Chima Moneke and guard Matthew Dellavedova have secured the Sacramento Kings’ final roster spots to open the season, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 15, 2022
Dellevadova, who played sparingly during the NBA pre-season with the Kings and will provide veteran leadership to a developing Kings roster, played last season in the NBL with Melbourne United.
The signing increases Australia’s representation in the NBA to ten players.
IS THIS THE BEST NBL PLAYER NOT IN THE NBA?
Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks has one eye on the NBA following the recent success of former NBL Australians like Jack White (Denver) and Jock Landale (San Antonio and Phoenix).
Cooks is yet to play in the world’s best league, outside of Summer League stints with the Warriors and Suns, but he believes he deserves a shot.
Moving to America also wouldn’t be easy, especially with a young daughter, but the Kings forward wouldn’t knock back the NBA if it came calling.
“If I ever did get the call, it would be tough to leave, but I would definitely leave,” Cooks said.
“I’m sure the Kings would back me in leaving as well because it is good for the club to be a vehicle to get to that next level.
“It (the NBA) is always in the back of my mind. I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t.
“You go on Instagram, and you see so much about the NBA, and I feel like I could contribute at that level.
“The way I approach getting there is being great in the now at the Sydney Kings and hopefully the rest takes care of itself.”
👀👀👀👀🫣🫣🫣🫣😎😎😎😎 https://t.co/buLc0Iesos
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) October 9, 2022
Cooks has received countless messages from across the hoops world after his epic poster dunk during last Sunday’s big win over United.
This includes a text from Boomers fan favourite and 76ers star Matisse Thybulle.
“Matisse sent me a message and said that my dunk was crazy,” he said.
“It was crazy – I surprised myself with that one.
“That was definitely the best dunk of my career.”
WHY NEGATIVE FANS NEED TO PULL THEIR HEADS IN OVER SIMMONS
Ben Simmons needs to fix his flawed jump shot, but he still possesses one of the NBA’s most effective packages, as he showcased in Brooklyn’s 107-97 pre-season win over Milwaukee on Thursday.
Simmons was at his scintillating best against the Bucks, stuffing the stat sheet with seven points, eight rebounds,10 assists and two steals in 28 minutes.
The Melbourne-born guard was also a beast on the defensive end, restricting Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo to just 6/21 shooting from the field.
Simmons’ masterful performance comes just days after he copped a barrage of online criticism for badly missing a jump shot during a Nets’ fan day.
For all the negativity, the general consensus is the polarising Aussie will make Brooklyn a better team with his pinpoint passing, dogged defence and potent athleticism when driving to the rim.
This was on show at the start of the third quarter when the Milwaukee defenders sagged off Simmons as brought the ball up the court, daring him to shoot from range.
Instead, the Australian showcased his skills by drawing in the defence before producing a perfect pass for an open Nets star Kevin Durant to score.
Simmons will also help Brooklyn become an improved passing team.
He has a blessed ability to find teammates with inch-perfect passes, much like fellow Aussie Josh Giddey does at the OKC Thunder.
Simmons’ Nets next face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday from 11am (AEDT) before a season-opener against the New Orleans Pelicans from 10.30am (AEDT) on Thursday, October 20.
Only way Simmons will win over haters
Melbourne United import guard Rayjon Tucker has talked the talk, now he must walk the walk to live up to his own billing as the NBL’s best new import.
Tucker raised eyebrows during the pre-season when he took offence at being ranked at No. 5 in News Corp’s new import power rankings.
The former Milwaukee Buck contacted this column to boldly declare: “I‘m the best import - no other NBL import checks off as many boxes as me.”
For all the hype, and self-confidence, Tucker is yet to live up to the mantle as the NBL’s premier new import based on his start to the season.
The Charlotte-born guard is shooting just 22.3 per cent from the field in his opening two games for Melbourne.
Tucker was particularly underwhelming in United’s big loss to Sydney on Sunday.
He had just five points in his 24 minutes on the floor.
Tucker’s shaky form hasn’t unnoticed by NBL legend and one of the league’s finest imports in Derek Rucker.
“Tucker has had some pretty poor games,” Rucker told this week’s Basketball Show.
“Sunday’s blowout against the Kings was embarrassing, he didn’t show up and he really found out what championship-level play in the NBL looks like.
“He has a tough and wise coach in Dean Vickerman, and he is going to have to lift because Dean is not averse to sitting his imports on the bench and making them watch and learn the game until they decide that they want to make a contribution.”
Tucker, though, is ready for the fight, posting boxing gloves on his personal Instagram with a pointed message.
“You’ve survived too many storms to be bothered by raindrops.”
The Logue Down column looks at which new imports are excelling and underperforming.
MATCHING/EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
DERRICK WALTON JR (SYDNEY KINGS)
Previous ranking: 1
Produced one of the finest import performances in Sydney history on debut against Illawarra, dropping 32 points and adding eight assists.
Walton Jr is already in the MVP conversation after three games, averaging 19.3 points, 7.3 assists and 5 rebounds.
BACK TO BACK TO BACK TRIPLES. @2bkings is on something else tonight 🔥#hawknationpic.twitter.com/fmMpLfqJmm
— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) October 8, 2022
GEORGE KING (ILLAWARRA HAWKS)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
King was in Illawarra’s “bad books” after producing substandard performances in the pre-season, including a stinker in a private scrimmage loss to UC Riverside, but he has hit back in style.
The American forward is averaging 18.3 points, including shooting 61.8 from the field.
JARRELL BRANTLEY (NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS)
Previous ranking: 3
The former Utah Jazz forward looks a class above the rest with his scoring, size, and ability to make teammates better. Brantley was outstanding in a win over Tasmania, dropping a game-high 19 points and adding six rebounds.
JUSTIN SIMON (SYDNEY KINGS)
Previous ranking: 6
Experts questioned if Simon could improve his shooting based on his last NBL stint with Illawarra in 2020/2021.
The former NBL Defensive Player of the Year has responded, averaging 15 points, and shooting 64.3 per cent from the field.
Death, taxes and Craig Randall II threes.#WeAreSixers#SwoopTheHooppic.twitter.com/WZhLeJpwbt
— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) October 7, 2022
CRAIG RANDALL II (ADELAIDE 36ERS)
Previous ranking: 10
We’re yet to see Randall in the NBL regular season, but he has already displayed his class with big pre-season performances against NBA teams Phoenix and OKC. His game-high 35 points in a historic win over the Suns was special.
TIM SOARES (SYDNEY KINGS)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
There were doubts if Soares was the man to replace departed players like Jarell Martin, but he looks consistent and comfortable.
Rashard Kelly (Tasmania JackJumpers)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Looks to be a decent signing for Tassie and will only get better with more time on the floor.
UNDER PRESSURE
TYLER JOHNSON (BRISBANE BULLETS)
Previous ranking: 2
The veteran of 373 NBA games across four clubs has shown glimpses of his best, but Brisbane need more from the gun guard.
RAYJON TUCKER (MELBOURNE UNITED)
Previous ranking: 5
Tucker wants to be the NBL’s best new import, but he must score more than five points if he wants this mantle.
BRADY MANEK (PERTH WILDCATS)
Previous ranking: 9
After being a dominant force in college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels last season, Manek has experienced something of a stuttering start to his professional career. In his NBL debut he scored eight points off of 2-11 shooting.
TASHAWN THOMAS (PERTH WILDCATS)
Previous ranking: Outside top 10
Thomas has re-injured the ankle he hurt during the pre-season Blitz and it isn’t helping his cause. He was averaging just six points, which must improve.
UNCERTAIN FUTURE
JORDAN CAROLINE (MELBOURNE UNITED)
Previous ranking: Outside the top 10
NBL legend Shane Heal has long-term concerns about Caroline following a season-ending Achilles injury to United big man Ariel Hukporti.
“With (Ariel) out, there is no doubt that Caroline could be in trouble,” Heal said on The Basketball Show.
“He holds himself well, but maybe they (United) are looking for a big guy who can do a little bit more.”
JUSTIN ROBINSON (ILLAWARRA HAWKS)
Previous Ranking: Outside the top 10
Robinson’s future is unknown after suffering a season-ending knee injury. He is super talented, but a year is a long time in basketball.
Hang it in the Louvre @xaviercooks10pic.twitter.com/ogqbkjXKc9
— Chris Pongrass (@chrispongrass) October 9, 2022
LONGLEY’S SPECIAL JACKSON CONNECTION
Australian hoops royalty Luc Longley has detailed his special relationship with former Chicago Bulls head coach Phil Jackson during his current national speaking tour.
Longley has shared countless anecdotes as part of his “My Story” event, but his close connection with Jackson stands out, including the day when the 11-time NBA championship-winning coach accepted the LA Lakers job while he was visiting Luc’s Western Australian farm.
Next stop: Sydney ♥ï¸
— Sam Lane (@SamJaneLane) October 11, 2022
(then Perth, Bris …) ♥ï¸â™¥ï¸
🎫: https://t.co/uoZeaaJEIY#LucLongley#AustralianNationalTour 💥 pic.twitter.com/3W8Tq3vImX
“Phil took a phone call from Lakers owner and president Jeanie Buss while he was sitting on Luc’s toilet,” said Aussie basketball legend Chris Anstey, who is organising Longley’s speaking tour.
“Luc’s relationship with Phil was so close that the legendary coach visited his farm in Western Australia, even after his Bulls days.
“Phil managed to get the best out of Luc because he invested in him.”
You can hear more from Longley when his speaking tour visits Perth and Brisbane on October 15th and 22.
WHITE LIFTS LID ON THE NBA’S JOKER
Ever wondered what back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic gets up to when he isn’t dominating basketball games?
Just ask former Melbourne United forward Jack White, who has become close with Jokic since joining the Denver Nuggets on a one-year deal.
“The cool thing about him, and as talented as he is as a basketball, he is just such a regular funny guy,” White told The Basketball Show.
What's it like having a locker right next to @NBA MVP Nikola Jokic? Aussie @nuggets player @5jackwhite reveals all to @ShaneHeal & @jogracehealy as we go In-Depth thanks to @2K_ANZ!
— The Basketball Show 🇦🇺 (@BasketballAu) October 11, 2022
Full Interview & Show - https://t.co/OhwyocIB7K
& across @telegraph_sport & @kayosports! pic.twitter.com/U7Cdle74oM
“He loves his horses in Serbia. I mean, he is always on his phone watching horse racing.
“I’ve been fortunate to be slotted next to him in the locker room, which is surreal in itself being in that environment with him every day.
“I speak to him and see how he goes about his day-to-day business, which is pretty special, especially for a rookie.
“He is a great guy to be the head of the snake for your club because he plays the game the right way – he is unselfish, and he just wants to win.”
LIKE
We all know Sydney Kings owner and chairman Paul Smith is passionate, but this takes his commitment to the Kings to a whole new level.
Smith has commemorated the Kings’ first title in 17 years with a champion tattoo on his arm.
The artwork reads: “2022 champions: the Kings”, accompanied with a crown and the club’s logo.
Smith is revelling in Sydney’s success despite Perth Wildcats owner and media magnate Craig Hutchison accusing the Kings of being arrogant.
Hutchison’s barbs aren’t bothering Sydney officials.
Smith made this clear when presenting the Kings players with their championship rings before the club’s home opener against Brisbane last week.
“The Perth owner accused us of not being humble after our championship success,” Smith said. “Well, we don’t do humble in Sydney.”
DISLIKE
The criticism aimed at the Aussie NBA star Ben Simmons will never stop until he improves his flawed jump shot.
The Nets were having a casual shootaround in front of fans at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2 this week and Simmons thought he’d try his luck shooting a mid-range jumpshot.
Doesn’t take long for Ben Simmons to get into regular season form @PatBevPodpic.twitter.com/mexHNGUZPg
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 11, 2022
Unfortunately for Simmons, the shot sailed way left of the hoop and the brutal airball was caught on camera and quickly went viral on social media.
Some of the ridicule towards the Melbourne-born guard is unnecessary and nasty at times, but we all know what will silence the doubters.
For Simmons, it means showing an appetite to improve his problematic shooting stroke.
SHOOSH
Which player had NBL teams and officials in stitches when he turned up to the pre-season Blitz in Darwin wearing two left paired shoes?
Originally published as NBL 2023: Matthew Dellavedova signs with NBA’s Kings, Xavier Cooks still hoping for NBA call
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