Boomers star Matthew Dellavedova wants to use his NBL return to improve his three-point shot and show that his body is ready for the crash and bash of the NBA again.
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Dellavedova has signed a three-year deal with NBL champions Melbourne United, but he's made it clear that he wants to return to the NBA if and when an opportunity arises.
The 30-year-old was limited to just 13 games for Cleveland last season in a campaign that was derailed by a heavy concussion, neck issues, and a bout of appendicitis.
Dellavedova shook off those setbacks to play a role in the Boomers' historic bronze medal charge at the Tokyo Olympics.
The tough-nut guard feels he has plenty more left in the tank, and he hopes he can follow in the footsteps of Jock Landale by using his time at Melbourne United as a launchpad into the NBA.
"I've got to show that I'm healthy and fit, and can put a good season together," Dellavedova said.
"The last couple of years have been a little bit interrupted with injuries. I feel like I've got a lot of years left. I plan on playing for a long time.
"I've played the same way since I started playing basketball in under-eights, so I'm not going to change the way I play.
"I've had a couple of unlucky incidents, but when you've been playing since four years old, you're going to have some unlucky moments along the way. Overall I've been extremely lucky with injuries."
Dellavedova knows it's crucial for him to improve his three-point accuracy.
In his last two seasons at Cleveland, his long-range accuracy dropped to 23.1 and 16 per cent, well down on his career-best of 41 per cent in 2015/16 during his first stint at the Cavaliers.
Getting bulk court time at United and being one of the star players in the side will give him the opportunity to fine-tune his shot.
"I definitely made some adjustments to my shot a couple of years ago, and it hasn't quite paid off yet," Dellavedova said.
"But the way it's progressing and feeling, I think long term it's going to pay off.
"There's some things I'm working on still. But compared to how I shot it before, which was a lot more effort, slower release, and harder to shoot off the dribble, (now it's a lot better)."
Meanwhile, the Perth Wildcats have signed former Brisbane Bullets star Vic Law as an import for the upcoming season.
Law averaged 10 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the LA Lakers NBA Summer League team, including a game-winning performance against the Clippers where he came up with the clutch triple and defensive play to seal the win.
In a disrupted 2021 NBL season where he played 16 games, Law averaged 18.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Australian Associated Press
