It’s not netball: Delly critics should learn the Australian way

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Dellavedova incident

MORE: Dellavedova keeps getting under opponents' skin | Is the ANZAC spirit too much for the NBA?

The emerging Cleveland Cavs guard was branded "dirty" and "reckless" after being handed a technical foul for tangling with the legs of Atlanta star Horford.

But it was Horford who was ejected for dropping an elbow on the Australian in the aftermath.

That's "dirty" and "reckless" in our book.

Despite resorting to violence because of Dellavedova's close-checking tactics, Horford chastised the 24-year-old, saying he has to 'learn'.

“We’re out there competing. But he’s gotta learn, I mean he’s only been in this league for a couple of years or whatever, but he’s gotta learn that at the end of the day it’s a big brotherhood here," Horford said.

"Guys look out for each other and, I don’t think that it was malicious, but he’s gotta learn.

“Maybe it wasn’t on purpose. But, you know, with just his track record, I just felt like it was.”

Dellevedova has been involved in other incidents this campaign including a leg lock on Chicago's Taj Gibson and a collision with the legs of Kyle Korver that ended the Atlanta player's season.

Horford's sister weighed in on the debate on Twitter, with one post declaring the ejection as 'bulls**t'.

It's 'bulls**t' to be ejected for dropping an elbow on an opponent? 

That's hardly a rational or reasonable point of view.

Cavs superstar LeBron James supported Delly with an impassioned defence.

American media has panned Dellavedova with USA Today journalist Mike Foss branding him a 'dirty player' while 13-season NBA veteran Antonio Davis stating the Aussie is reckless.

But the situation is quite simple and the US critics need to realise it: Delly plays the game hard and plays to win.

This mentality is synonymous with Australian sport.

If opposition players can't handle being challenged physically by a competitor, they shouldn't be paid millions of dollars to compete in professional sport.

Also, it could conceivably be argued that Horford dragged Delly down because he was unhappy about the close attention.

Dellavedova should continue to niggle opponents in heat of the battle and Cavs fans will relish it.

The NBA is not netball - body contact is allowed.

Author(s)
Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at Sporting News Australia.