Dellavedova Beats Lebron in NBA Shirt Sales Ahead Of Game Four
He may be a sidekick on the court, but Matthew Dellavedova was the leader of the pack — ahead of big names Lebron James and Kobe Bryant — in NBA merchandise sales on Wednesday.
It’s probably the quickest rise to fame in NBA history. Just a week ago, only the most ardent of basketball followers knew of an undrafted Australian basketball player called Matthew Dellavedova. But after playing the last two games of the NBA Finals, the 24-year old Dellavedova has become a household name all over the world, so much so that sales of Dellavedova’s Cleveland Cavaliers shirt have gone through the roof.
According to reports on ESPN, Dellavedova’s No. 8 shirt was the highest selling NBA shirt on Wednesday, a day after his defensive play and all round hustle had helped the Cavaliers to a 96-91 win over the Golden State Warriors. The Bleacher Report had reported earlier on Thursday — on CNN morning show New Day — that Dellavedova shirts were nowhere to be found in Cleveland. Indeed, spurred by Wednesday’s sales, Dellavedova’s shirt has seen more sales in the last week than it did all through the regular NBA season. Not even Lebron James, who scored 40 points again — he had 44 and 39 from Games 1 and 2, respectively — and is, according to Sports Illustrated, “on the brink of the greatest finals performance ever”, could match sales of Dellavedova merchandise in the U.S. on Wednesday.
It’s been a remarkable rise to fame for Dellavedova, who only came into the Cavaliers starting role in Game 2, on Sunday night, following the overtime injury to regular starter Kyrie Irving in Game 1 last Thursday. But his performance on that night was much more than a bit part contribution to a crucial road win for Cleveland.
With his tenacious D, Matthew Dellavedova has given the Cavs more than their money’s worth: http://t.co/aZ2KeuosbE pic.twitter.com/ufuxsRHuMj
— ESPN (@espn) June 10, 2015
Dellavedova’s suffocating defensive play confined league MVP Stephen Curry — the best three-point shooter in the NBA — to just 19 points, all but three of which came when Dellevedova was on the bench. He followed in like manner in Game 3, not only restricting Curry to just three points before half time, but also scoring a NBA playoff personal best 20 points, and diving all over the court for every other loose ball.
Dehydration was an issue after Game 3 for Matthew Dellavedova. Floor burns might have been a problem, too. pic.twitter.com/a9Q5kjey49
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 11, 2015
Such were his exertions on that night that Dellavedova, suffering from extreme cramping and dehydration, had to be rushed to hospital after the game. He has since been released, though, and Cleveland fans would be glad to know he is available to start Game 4 at the Quicken Loans Arena this evening.
This will be the second consecutive year that a relatively unknown guard from Australia will make a huge impression in the NBA finals. Last year, it was Patty Mills that stepped into the fray, as the San Antonio Spurs beat Miami Heat in five games.
Dellavedova will be hoping to match his compatriot and end the series with a championship ring on his finger.
[Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images]
