NBL: Melbourne United’s NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova in doubt for Week 4 after concussion blow
Melbourne United are set to take every precaution with NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova to ensure he returns to the court in NBL24, given the stars history with concussion.
Melbourne United star Matthew Dellavedova is likely to sit out this weekend’s games as he recovers from a scary concussion.
Dellavedova hasn’t officially been ruled out under the NBL’s Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) process but faces at least seven to 10 days on the sidelines.
The NBA champion still needs to tick a numbers of boxes to be cleared to play against Illawarra and the New Zealand Breakers this round.
Dellavedova suffered the concussion during the second quarter of United’s win over Brisbane on Sunday.
He set his feet and braced for body contact to try to draw a charge but fell backwards. Bullets player Sam McDaniel landed heavily on him and he copped a glancing blow from McDaniel’s knee.
It’s expected United will be cautious with Dellavedova given his previous battles with concussion, which cast doubt over his career.
According to the Athletic, the veteran guard could have been forced into retirement in 2021 after he was concussed while playing for Cleveland Cavaliers.
The report said Dellavedova was “still experiencing problematic symptoms” from a concussion two months earlier that were “preventing him from ramping up workouts in any real capacity”.
Retirement was reportedly an option for the Boomers guard but he wanted to continue playing.
Dellavedova has a history of concussions, which is why Cleveland didn’t rush him back in 2021.
“He’s taking steps but they are small steps,“ Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said at the time.
“With the history that he has, with the concussions, we’re taking every caution that we possibly can to make sure he’s going to be fully recovered first before we do anything with him.”
United will adopt a similar approach with Dellavedova, especially given the club’s experience of concussion with fellow guard Shea Ili.
Ili has had multiple concussions throughout his career but the club has always conducted itself in exemplary fashion when it comes to recovery.
DISAPPOINTED KINGS HIT OUT AT NBL CONTRACT INEQUALITY
The Sydney Kings have expressed their “disappointment” in the “inequality” of the NBL’s contract system, which has paved the way for championship-winning guard Dejan Vasiljevic to change an original agreement to sign with the Adelaide 36ers.
The 36ers will unveil Vasiljevic for the remainder of the season and he is line to make his Adelaide debut against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday night.
The last time he played against the Phoenix last season, he dropped 10 threes.
However, the Kings are far from happy despite agreeing to relinquish their right of first refusal for the guard.
In a strongly worded release, Sydney said it had amended out clauses in Vasiljevic’s contract at the end of last season to allow him to pursue NBA opportunities.
The amendment included the Kings retaining the right of first refusal on the guard in the NBL.
The Kings say they never contemplated activating the right of first refusal for NBL24 given Vasiljevic’s aspirations to chase his American dream.
He subsequently signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Washington Wizards but was waived before NBA training camp at the start of this month.
At this point there was a clear expectation the guard would spend this season with their G-League affiliate the Capital City Go-Go.
Last week, the Kings were surprised to receive a request from Vasiljevic’s management to return to the NBL.
The Kings undertook a review process into whether to exercise the right of first refusal. They have chosen not to exercise it and have allowed Vasiljevic to be released to the 36ers.
“We are disappointed with how this has been handled and another NBL team’s role in this process,” Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said.
“We originally amended the contract in good faith and completed our roster with the understanding that DJ would play internationally this season.
“While there is no perfect system, this circumstance highlights the inequity NBL clubs have in terms of protecting their interests as opposed to other leagues in the world.
“While DJ played a role in the club’s recent success, it became clear that to make such a significant change to our roster by having him return at the expense of one of our current rostered players was not in our best interests.
“We have the utmost confidence in the team we have built and the success we will have with our contracted players.”
As revealed by Code Sports, the 36ers have shown interest in Vasiljevic for some time as a replacement for departed import Jamaal Franklin.
COOK’S IMPRESSIVE NBL STINT SET TO END
Former NBA forward Tyler Cook has been a sensation for the South East Melbourne Phoenix as an injury replacement, but his short stay in the NBL is set to end.
Cook has set the NBL alight in the absence of Phoenix centre Alan Williams, who hasn’t played this season after hurting his knee in pre-season training.
The Phoenix big man is back training with the full squad – and is a chance to return against either Adelaide or Brisbane this weekend.
It’s understood Williams could play against the 36ers on Thursday, although Saturday’s home game versus Brisbane is also an option.
If the Phoenix big can gain clearance to play, it will end Cook’s time at the club as an injury replacement.
The former NBA power forward has been a revelation during his short stay in the NBL, averaging 13.3 points and seven rebounds.
It’s believed Cook will sign with a EuroLeague club once his time with South East Melbourne is complete.
The 26-year-old is also recovering from an eye injury suffered in a round 2 loss to Cairns.
Taipans big man Sam Waardenburg accidentally poked Cook in the eye as the American went up for a shot in the minutes before halftime.
He fell down immediately in intense pain and left the court with the assistance of Phoenix staff.
Cook bled from his eye and reacted badly to eye-drops, so he played no further part in the game.
He hasn’t played since the incident and is no guarantee to return this weekend.
It will be a shame if this is the last the NBL has seen of Cook, but the ex-Detroit and Chicago forward says he’ll forever remember his stint with the Phoenix.
“I’ve loved my time in the NBL and I would absolutely recommend it,” Cook said.
“The people treat you well, it’s a great quality of basketball and in my short experience I’ve had an amazing time.”
Cook reserved special praise for the Phoenix for making his short stay so enjoyable.
“I only had two training sessions before the pre-season Blitz on the Gold Coast, but the coaching staff made everything so easy for me,” he said.
“Coach (Mike) Kelly just told me to go out and play and be myself.
“That allowed me to free and just come out and play ball, which was helpful because I didn’t even know everybody’s names on the court.
“The Phoenix did a tremendous job to make me feel welcome and part of the group.
“I’m not leaving because the NBL didn’t throw out as much love as possible.”
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