Matthew Dellavedova reveals what he has learned from LeBron James

AUSSIE Matthew Dellavedova has revealed the influence superstar LeBron James has had over his booming NBA career.

AUSSIE star Matthew Dellavedova says he’s seen first hand why Cleveland teammate LeBron James’ rein at the top of the NBA is no fluke.

Speaking as the Cavaliers announced the inaugural Australia Day NBA fixture through it’s partnership with Sanitarium UP&GO, Dellavedova opened up on a wide range of issues, including his embarrassing downtime hobby.

The 25-year-old from Maryborough in central Victoria credits James’ determined professionalism as the most crucial lesson he has learned in the NBA.

The former Saint Mary’s college prospect says James’ incredible basketball instincts makes him an on-court coach for his Cavs teammates.

“There are the shoot-arounds and practices where he’s just like another coach on the floor,” Dellavedova said.

“He’s seeing things in our gameplan or the opponent’s defensive scheme that will open up gaps.

“Then there is also how well he takes care of his body with his trainer.

“That’s an everyday thing. They’re always working on something. So, taking care of his body and the things he does there is probably the biggest thing I’ve learnt from him.”

The Boomers point guard said fellow teammate Kyrie Irving has also helped him improve his skills by competing head-to-head in training sessions.

Get ready for prime time Dellyvision.

Dellavedova stepped up into Irving’s starting spot during last season’s NBA finals series against the Golden State Warriors when Irving was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

“Coming into my first training camp and first year going against him and just trying to somehow guard him at practice has definitely made me a better defender because he’s definitely one of the toughest guys to guard in the league,” he said.

Irving, who was born in Australia, but will never represent the Boomers, may come face to face with his Aussie teammate at the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro.

Dellavedova says his fellow Australian players in the NBA are making no secret of their lofty goals for this year’s Olympics, beginning August 5.

He says playing for Australia at the Olympics is one of his oldest goals from his childhood.

“We’re not just going to win a medal,” he said.

“Our goal is to win the gold medal. Obviously there are going to be a lot of teams that have a lot of big name players and some of them LeBron, Kyrie (Irving), Kevin (Love) could be there, but we’re not intimidated by any other team.

The NBA’s most Australian man.

“We have all the tools to do something special. We’ve all played together and grown up at the institute of sport for a number of years now and the time to do something is now. We’re not afraid or scared to do something.”

Meanwhile, Dellavedova has revealed what he likes to do in his spare time.

It’s hardly what you would expect of one of the toughest competitors in the NBA.

He likes to play table tennis against his mum and dad. Seriously.

He also plays against teammate Joe Harris and girlfriend Anna Schroeder.

“We also play the boardgame Catan,” he said of the multi player colonial settlement game.

“I wouldn’t really say those are relaxing activities, it’s pretty intense and competitive. I guess it’s a distraction away from basketball, but I wouldn’t call it relaxing.”

Dellavedova will be front and centre when the Cavs become the first team to celebrate Australia Day officially when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 26 at 11am AEDT.

The Cavaliers have pounced on the interest generated Down Under, announcing a partnership with Australian-based company Sanitarium.

The Australia Day game will feature the Cavs wearing a special gold edition uniform to celebrate Australia’s famous green and gold sports colours and will be highlighted by a pre-game speech by Dellavedova and a live performance of Australia’s national anthem Advance Australia Fair.

Originally published as Matthew Dellavedova reveals what he has learned from LeBron James