Matthew Dellavedova is a dirty player. Or he isn’t. Really, the answer could depend on if you’re asking a Cleveland Cavaliers fan.
During Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Delly received criticism for diving for a ball and injuring Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Kyle Korver. Then in Game 3 of the ECF, Dellavedova supposedly went for Al Horford’s legs.
Long story short, the scrappy defender has a less-than-stellar reputation.
That’s not to say the point guard is or isn’t what some say he might be—how’s that for neutrality, Switzerland—but Delly certainly didn’t help his case early in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
After Golden State Warriors small forward Draymond Green set a legally questionable-but-the-refs-didn’t-call-anything screen, Dellavedova appeared to intentionally throw a shoulder into Green’s knees as retaliation.
Was Dellavedova’s action purposeful, only adding to his bad rap? Maybe. Did Green embellish a little bit? Perhaps.
The correct answer? Well, that’s up to you.
Photo: USA Today Sports