How four Aussie NBA stars stole the show at a Sandringham training court
By Roy Ward
Melbourne United blew the salary cap, at least when it comes to NBA star power, for the opening day of their first training camp on Wednesday.
Australian NBA stars Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Jock Landale and Jack White all took the court for scrimmages at the club’s Hoop City training venue in Sandringham alongside United stars Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding and potential NBA draft pick Ariel Hukporti.
NBA star Josh Giddey goes up for a dunk at Melbourne United training on Wednesday.Credit: Melbourne United
On their NBA contracts this coming season, the four Aussies are set to earn a combined US$22.1 million yet all of them could earn much more in future, Giddey’s next contract alone could be worth US$80 million or more.
But earnings mattered little in a series of highly competitive games which were physical but well-controlled with players bumping bodies and calling fouls but not making any reckless plays that could cause injury.
On one play, White and Dellavedova collided in the air while leaping for a long pass, White came up with the ball but Delly claimed his arm had been pulled down in the process - the two country Victorian stars will be even more competitive once Boomers camp opens in August.
Dellavedova, who only arrived back in the country on Monday, can’t remember seeing more talent on one training court outside of a Boomers camp.
Melbourne United guard Matthew Dellavedova attempts a lay-up while being pressured by NBA forward Jack White at training on Wednesday.Credit: Melbourne United
“You are not going to get better than that almost anywhere in the world - it was a lot of fun,” Dellavedova said.
“It’s such a great facility here and United and Dean [Vickerman] have done a good job of welcoming guys in and making it easy for them to work out and get some good live action in - there are not many places where you are going to get quality, organised pickup basketball better than this.
“It’s great to get the boys ready for Boomers camp and great for the United boys as well.”
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian turned up as the scrimmages began after receiving a call from United’s coaches to let him know six of his potential World Cup side would be on court.
Goorjian watched the hour-long scrimmages intensely but was all smiles after the session, the sight of Giddey and Daniels passing, dunking and causing havoc defensively plus Landale’s accomplished shooting and post moves would have impressed the national team boss along with White’s athleticism including a flying dunk of a lob pass from Daniels.
Landale has just signed a four-year, US$32 million non-guaranteed deal [AUD$48 million] with the Houston Rockets while Giddey and White will be teaming up at Oklahoma City Thunder this coming season after White signed on after playing as a two-way player with the NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
Daniels has just returned from NBA Summer League where he played well for his New Orleans Pelicans team while Dellavedova spent last season with the Sacramento Kings and hasn’t given up on joining up with an NBA playoff team after the NBL season which finishes in March.
He listed some big goals for the year ahead.
“In order of time, win gold at the world cup, win a championship with United and then be back in the [NBA] playoffs in April,” Dellavedova said.
Dellavedova’s excellent conditioning stood out as he knows he will have to be at his best to make the FIBA World Cup roster which will be decided at training camp starting in August before three games at Rod Laver Arena from August 14-17.
The move back to United was motivated by a desire to play more minutes and put himself in the best position to world cup side this year and play his fourth Olympics at Paris 2024.
“It’s basketball, it’s doing what I love, and I’ve always been the underdog from juniors to now,” Dellavedova said.
“Going into camp I always take the same mentality and I think it’s where I do my best work - I’m looking forward to it.”
Vickerman also noted that United’s roster includes New Zealand internationals Shea Ili and Flynn Cameron, son of NZ great Pero Cameron, and some potential South Sudan players including injured big man Jo Lual Acuil jnr.
With the World Cup being played in Asia in late August and early September, United arranged this camp as an induction for their players before they go away on international duty.
Only star recruit Luke Travers was missing as he is still flying back from NBA Summer League where he played a key role in Cleveland Cavaliers winning that title.
United’s veterans like Goulding, Dellavedova and Brad Newley were on the white team, young guns like Cameron on the gold team and wearing a mix of black t-shirts were the four NBA stars along with United guard Zac Tripplett.
“Our third team [the NBA stars] was at a pretty high level and the salary cap is exceptional for our first day,” Vickerman said with a laugh.
Vickerman admits he enjoyed the sight of budding NBA stars Giddey and Daniels filling the guard positions.
“What impressed me so much was seeing Josh’s growth as a player, Dice [Daniels] as well and they are such huge guards at 6′8 [210 centimetres] - they are such a problem,” Vickerman said.
“With the wingspans they have, the athletic ability and the ball-handling. Giddey came in the other day and he probably didn’t shoot it as well but today I thought he shot it fantastic, same with Dice.
“Just to see the standard of basketball Australians have got to, on the floor at the same time, was great fun.”
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