Matthew Dellavedova’s career has been defined by one thing: defying expectations. He frustrated Stephen Curry on the NBA’s biggest stage. He dove for loose balls no one else would chase. And in the NBL Finals, he did it again. But this time, without even touching a basketball. When handed the Championship Series MVP trophy, he shocked everyone, pulling off a move that left Kevin Love and the entire basketball world speechless.
Hi resilient reputation only gained more traction after his latest act of sportsmanship in Melbourne United’s intense clash with the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL Finals. The Illawarra Hawks ended their 24-year trophy drought by leading them to a 114-104 win over United on home turf.
The league named Dellavedova the Championship Series MVP for his clutch performance, but he stunned the basketball world by handing the award to his opponent, Will Hickey. 26-year-old Hickey scored 21 points, and, 8 rebounds, and averaged 10.1 PPG, 4.3 APG, and 5 RPG. Boos erupted from the Hawks, unhappy with this season’s winner, but Dellavedova walked over to United’s #6 and handed him the award.
“Davo, this really belongs to you, you had a hell of a series,” he said, according to News.com AU. The gesture seemed to have moved Kevin Love.
Love took to Instagram and posted a story featuring the clip that showed the post-game moment. Kevin Love captioned the post, “@matthewdelly is the f—-ng best ,” showing love for his ex-Cavaliers teammate.
Players and fans erupted in thunderous “Davo” chants in response to the move. The fans took to social media as well to show their appreciation for Dellavedova. Let’s check out what they said and explore why fans call Dellavedova the “Curry Stopper.”
Fans chime in on why Dellavedova is Known as the ‘Curry Stopper’
Seeing this class act, fans quickly flooded social media with admiration for Dellavedova’s humility. One fan tweeted, “Delly winning MVP and immediately giving it to Hickey is pure class. That’s why he’s loved everywhere he plays.” Another chimed in, “Dellavedova didn’t just give up the trophy, he showed what true leadership looks like. What a guy,” standing true to the universally beloved claim.
Now, Matthew Dellavedova’s reputation as the ‘Curry Stopper’ is something fans will never let die. The moment his name resurfaces, so do memories of his tenacious 2015 NBA Finals performance against Stephen Curry. He played a crucial role in slowing down two-time MVP Stephen Curry. Media and fans popularized the nickname, especially after Dellavedova’s standout performance in Game 2, where he held Curry to 5-of-23 shooting. This included 2-of-15 from the 3-point range. Quite a big feat stopping someone who’s blamed for revolutionizing 3-pointers in the NBA!
His relentless on-ball pressure, ability to fight through screens, and constant physicality disrupted the Warriors’ offensive flow, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers secure a critical victory.
His aggressive play style forced Curry into one of the worst playoff shooting nights of his career, haunting him and, leading to widespread praise from analysts and teammates alike. At one point, Dellavedova’s energy expenditure was so extreme that he reportedly needed an IV after Game 3 due to exhaustion from chasing Curry all night.
Even though the Warriors ultimately won the series, Matthew Dellavedova’s defensive impact became one of the defining narratives of the Finals. LeBron James credited him as a key piece in Cleveland’s strategy. While Warriors forward Draymond Green admitted that Dellavedova’s pressure forced Curry into uncharacteristic mistakes. ESPN analysts and basketball pundits continued highlighting Dellavedova’s effort, cementing the ‘Curry Stopper’ moniker as part of his basketball legacy.
The post Fans Revive “Curry Stopper” as Matthew Dellavedova’s Emotional Gesture Leaves Kevin Love in Awe appeared first on EssentiallySports.