Where once there was a J.J. Barea in Dallas, there is suddenly a Matthew Dellavedova in Cleveland.
Back in the 2011 NBA Finals the Mavs trailed LeBron James’ Heat 2-1 when head coach Rick Carlisle tweaked his lineup. In an attempt to open the floor and accelerate the pace, he inserted the diminutive, energetic Barea into the starting lineup for Game 4.
And, as Mavs fans know and covet, Barea responded with constant penetration into the lane, fearless drives to the basket and deft assists to open shooters like Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. He changed the game and altered the series, scoring 40 points over the final three games as Dallas won the championship in six games.
If you’re watching this year’s Finals you’ve again seen Barea, reinvented as Dellavedova. Shoved into Cleveland’s the starting lineup by more desperation than inspiration (see Kyrie Irving’s injury), the Australian scrapper and former Saint Mary’s star is reminding us that role players can be key players. And that, yes, even the NBA Finals are won not by tattoos, but floor burns.
By getting in Steph Curry’s jock on defense, with an array of savvy floaters and the series’ biggest offensive rebound and free throws in Game 2, Dellavedova turned the shocking series in LeBron’s favor. And last night he poured in 20 points as the Cavs took a 2-1 series lead.
Where before there were unlikely Finals heroes like Mario Elie, Danny Ainge, John Paxson, Steve Kerr and Barea, there is now Dellavedova.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
