Interview: Utkuhan Genç, TrendBasket
Last night, Milwaukee Bucks got a 116-100 win on the road over Indiana Pacers and won for the second time in the last nine games. Prior to the game in which TrendBasket was present, Bucks’ Aussie guard Matthew Dellavedova answered our questions.
Let’s start with the Bucks. The team has lost 12 out of last 14 games. Are “Dog Days” the main reason for this?
No, we just need to play better. We had some close games that we couldn’t finish. We just need to defend.
Jabari Parker, one of the Bucks’ young sensations, is ruled out for the season because of a knee injury. What was the reaction within the locker room?
We’re all just disappointed for him. He was having a great season. After one (knee) injury and coming back up – I wasn’t here when it happened for the first time but he would talk about he worked extremely hard to get back and to be really good player again in this league – I am sure he’s going to put in the same work and come back stronger.
What do you think about the rookie Malcolm Brogdon’s unexpected rise? You guys are competing for the same position. Do you think that the competition between you two affects the team?
We’re on the same team, we have the same goals and that has helped the team win. He’s having a great season and he’s mature guy. That definitely helped him.
In the Bucks’ 23th win of the season, Dellavedova scored 9 points, while recording 1 rebound and 4 assists in 33 minutes of play.
You received your 2016 NBA championship ring in last December. It became a funny event when all of your former teammates jumped into you. How did it make you feel like?
It was a great feeling. A lot of hardwork turned into winning. There were a lot of ups and downs. We fell short the year before. Seeing the banner up there and receiving the ring made me feel great.
You did a remarkable job in Rio with the Australian Men’s Basketball National Team. What is the secret behind you guys playing tight like a club team?
We have been playing together for a lot of years. Everybody comes back and plays every year. I think that is a big part of our success. Only one thing matters and that is our country.
Recently, a number of Australian players has made it to the NBA and – like yourself – some of those players have had successful careers. What do you think of Australia’s leap in this sense?
There are more and more players coming over. I think that’s only gonna be more to come. Basketball is really on the upbeat. National basketball league is doing really well and it’s high-level as well. So, there are only positive things about Australian basketball right now.