Crosscourt: Latest news, likes and dislikes out of the 2024-25 NBL semi finals
An NBL title is the one thing missing from Matthew Dellavedova’s storied career and it’s now do-or-die for the Boomers legend. Plus, Illawarra coach Justin Tatum’s NBA ambition, and Perth hero, the uncontracted Dylan Windler.
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Aussie basketball great Matthew Dellavedova has built a stellar career resume, but the missing piece is an NBL championship.
Dellavedova’s Melbourne United blew chances to claim the title in 2022 and 2024 and let a golden opportunity to book a grand final spot go begging on Saturday night.
The man affectionately known as ‘Delly’ is out-of-contract at season’s end and there’s speculation he’s no certainty to return to United but, right now, he’s determined to add an NBL trophy to his NBA championship and Olympic bronze medal.
His desire was written all over an impressive near-triple-double semi-final performance in game two against Perth, despite United’s surrender of a 20-point lead.
Dellavedova dropped 13 points and 12 assists while adding eight rebounds.
His 12 assists was the most by any player in an NBL 40-minute playoff game.
Dellavedova’s United have another chance to erase their past demons in Tuesday’s must-win game three in Melbourne – and the former Cleveland Cavalier is keeping the faith.
“We’ve battled all year we know they’re a good team but we have a lot of belief in our locker room and the type of guys we have,” Dellavedova said.
“We know what they’re running they know what we’re running it’s going to come down to the boards and getting those loose balls.
“We’ll watch the tape and have some solutions for the next game.”
In ’22, Melbourne failed to fend off Tasmania in a game three semi-final decider at John Cain Arena.
United had another opportunity to beat the JackJumpers in last season’s grand final series, but lost by just two points in a game-five epic.
Can the men from Melbourne silence the doubters or will Bryce Cotton and the Wildcats pile on more playoff pain?
TATUM WILL ANSWER NBA CALL
Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum hasn’t ruled out leaving the NBL prematurely if he can secure an opportunity to join the NBA.
Tatum – who has two years remaining on his contract with the Hawks – says an NBA coaching role remains his big-picture goal.
“The NBL is a place where I’ve put my stamp on, but at the end of the day I have aspirations of wanting to get on an NBA level to see how far I can push myself as a coach,” Tatum told Crosscourt.
“I’ve just finished up my first season of a three-year contract, so we’ll see what happens.”
For now, Tatum is locked in on Illawarra’s bid to win the franchise’s second championship.
The recently crowned NBL Coach of the Year has done a magnificent job to transform the Hawks from cellar dwellers to title contenders.
Tatum credits frank conversations during the off-season for Illawarra’s rise to the top of the NBL ladder for the first time in the club’s 46-year history.
“I’ve learnt from my mistakes last season and being able to communicate that with my players and what is expected of them,” he said.
“I had a full training camp this season and I’ve been able to put my stamp on the team.
“I’ve had a blast and it has been an exciting year – now I get to contend for a title.”
GOULDING’S PRAISE AS DASH KNOCKS DOWN UNITED DOOR
With the rest of his Melbourne United teammates in the thick of NBL playoff mode, young Next Star Dash Daniels is getting an early taste of the intensity of the postseason.
Daniels, the teen brother of NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dyson, joined United in January but doesn’t officially commence his Next Star tenure until NBL26.
“To be honest, it’s a tough spot for him to be in right now because we’re so focused on what we’re doing and without him being actually part of the active roster it’s tricky,” United captain Chris Goulding said.
“But he’s fit in seamlessly.”
So seamlessly Goulding believes the gifted 198cm 17-year-old will be ready to contribute from day one of next season.
“His skillset fits in really well here, we want to push the ball, we want to get stops defensively, get out and run and use our offensive talent,” Goulding said.
“I haven’t had those conversations (about Daniels role next season) but my thinking is he’ll be a big piece of it straight away.”
“The way he can get in the lane, his size and athleticism, I would imagine he’ll be used from the get-go.”
EURO LEAGUE TOUCHPOINT PART OF NBL’S WIDER PLAN FOR FUTURE GROWTH
The NBL’s targeted move to bring Euro League teams from Greece and Serbia to Melbourne or Sydney and tap into those football-mad diaspora communities is just the latest notch in the league’s growing portfolio.
Power clubs Panathinaikos and Partizan Belgrade are set to arrive in Australia early next season for the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament and are likely to face each other and NBL teams.
“Euro League teams wanting to come and be connected to Australian basketball is really powerful,” NBL CEO David Stevenson said.
“So, not only for the diaspora from the Greek and Serbian communities in Australia, we’d love to connect more on the global stage.
“We’re working through the tournament structure, they’ll likely end up playing each other and then an NBL team.
“We’re in conversations with the NSW and Victorian governments on what that looks like.”
Stevenson said the latest venture was indicative of the league’s expanded reach.
“Eight of our first 10 years, we were largely a one-product business – a men’s elite league,” Stevenson said.
“Now, we’ve got a suite of elite leagues, we’ve got a suite of events and we’ve got a suite of businesses.”
HEROES WINDLER, HENNY KEY FOILS FOR COTTON
Bryce Cotton will always be the man in Perth – for however much longer the uncontracted superstar might be there.
But a massive lift from his teammates has ensured the Wildcats take winning form into their semi-final decider in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Big efforts from import Dylan Windler and young guard Ben Henshall ensured the five-time MVP wasn’t left to do it all himself as they reeled in a 20-point lead and extended their series to a third game.
Windler, unseen in game one with just four points, took the bull by the horns, exploding for an NBL career-high 27 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks and six three-pointers in one of the finest playoff efforts you’ll ever see.
And young NBA hopeful Henshall did all his work on the defensive end, holding Chris Goulding to just two points after halftime – two days after the United game-breaker poured in many of his 42 in the 195cm guard’s face.
Windler steeled himself to bounce back and help Cotton extend the series.
“Somebody’s going to have to step up and obviously they do a good job on Bryce, they have a really good defender in (Shea) Ili, so me, Henny and Doo (Kristian Doolittle), we’ve all got to be able to take open shots and even take tough shots at times.”
Rillie paid tribute to Henshall for his stopping job on Goulding – an effort that should serve to enhance his NBA draft chances, given the 20-year-old’s defence has been a work in progress.
“Chris Goulding is one of the best shot makers in the NBL history so he’s going to have those moments and those nights,” Rillie said.
“Ben Henshall did a phenomenal job in the second half chasing him around and making him take tough shots.”
As Cotton’s big decision on his future looms, the likes of Windler and Henshall have the power to ensure he has a little longer to think about it if they can step up in Tuesday’s decider and lead the Wildcats into another grand final.
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Originally published as Crosscourt: Latest news, likes and dislikes out of the 2024-25 NBL semi finals
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