My new favorite player: Matt Dellavedova

It’s hard not to relate to this guy

I have a new favorite player. I predicted heading into the NBA Finals, he’d be MVP, so I was already kind of on the bandwagon.

OK, I wasn’t at all, and thought he was getting way too much credit for certain things, but since Kyrie Irving’s injury, someone had to step up and play Robin to Batman. That someone: Matt Dellavedova. And he’s done it with … well, not grace. Anything but grace.

Delly has dived into the role. He’s rolled into the role. He’s scratched and clawed his way into the role. He’s taken anyone out in his path – literally – to play second fiddle to LeBron James.

The 24-year-old gets it done, but it’s not pretty. The runner is not pretty. His jumper is not pretty, though comparing his jumper right after a Steph Curry or Klay Thompson shot … it’s like trying to look good standing next to a supermodel.

But it’s fun to watch him out there, if for no other reason, he’s the guy on the court that most of us watching can relate to. If we were EVER to be in the NBA, the only way we’d see the court would be by doing the things that Delly has done. Plus, his ugly jumper and even uglier runner is something I do three times a week at noon-ball. It’s like a mirror image, right down to that ugly beard – though I am not diving for any loose balls. No way.

Dellavedova has made a name for himself. A few, in fact. Some worse than others. But we can all appreciate and relate to the ‘little guy’ (he is 6-foot-4) that was hospitalized after Game 3 for exhaustion and dehydration.

The Cavs are 2-0 with him as a starter and 0-1 when Irving starts. That should say it all right there (#Sarcasm). And, one could argue, in those two starts, he’s been as important as, dare I say, James himself.

Of course, a near impossible feat, but if Dellavedova isn’t out there, forcing Curry into a 5-for-23, 2-for-15 Game-2 performance (I still believe Curry was simply off, sorry) or going for 20 points, five rebounds and four assists in Game 3 – not to mention the floor burns for loose balls – Cleveland would be down 3-0 in this series.

Now, Dellavedova isn’t winning Finals MVP. Not yet, but if he keeps this up, you have to consider it. OK, probably not, but one can hope.

If nothing else, I have a new appreciation for the scruffy bearded underdog, junkyard dog and whatever other dog cliché you want to give Dellavedova on this rag-tag Cavs team that’s somehow, some way leading a series against a Golden State crew that went 67-15 in the Western Conference.

I still say Warriors in six.