Boomers coach backs Dellavedova

May 26, 2015 - 5:50 AM Branding Matthew Dellavedova a dirty player is not only unfair, it's ridiculous, says Australian Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis.

Debate has raged in the US about whether Cleveland's Australian point guard Dellavedova is dirty, reckless or simply a flat-out competitor after three on-court incidents during the NBA play-offs, two of which have resulted in an opposing player being ejected.

Lemanis leapt to Dellavedova's defence on Tuesday.

"Delly is absolutely a fierce competitor but he is also one of the fairest and most honest people I know," he told AAP.

"The guy doesn't have a bad bone in his body.

"It just shows me that those people don't know Delly.

"I think he would probably be hurt by that sort of allegation because he plays the game the right way."

Second-year NBA player Dellavedova was at the centre of media debate after he and Atlanta centre Al Horford became tangled, fell to the floor and Horford, believing the Australian aimed his body at his knees, threw a forearm and elbow and was ejected from the game.

Dellavedova said TV replays told the story, that Horford pulled him down.

Days earlier, Dellavedova dived for a loose ball but also collected Atlanta sharp-shooter Kyle Korver, resulting in Korver being ruled out of the playoffs with an ankle injury.

In the semi-final series against the Chicago Bulls, Dellavedova locked up forward Taj Gibson's legs when on the floor and Gibson was ejected when he lashed out with his legs.

Atlanta players did not believe there was malice in the latest incidents but some American media outlets have been harsh in their judgements.

"Matthew Dellavedova is a dirty player," was a headline on the USA Today website.

The New York Post told its readers: "As James Bond creator Ian Fleming once wrote: 'Once is an accident. Twice is coincidence. Three times is an enemy action'."

Lemanis, who coached Dellavedova in Australia's World Cup campaign, believed critics were misreading a player who simply gives 100 per cent for his team.

"There's no doubt he plays hard but that's something every coach and every players loves of Delly - the fact he gives you everything on every possession, he doesn't take shortcuts and puts his body on the line for the good of the team," Lemanis said.

"I'm not sure when sacrificing yourself for the good of the team is a bad thing for the sport."

Source: AAP