Dellavedova says playoffs are the goal in Milwaukee — In the course of three seasons, point guard Matthew Dellavedova went from fan-favorite/seldom-used player as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers to vital contributor on a Finals-winning team and a capable backup guard. He was traded to the Bucks this summer and he should have a significant role on a Milwaukee team hoping to rise up in the Eastern Conference. In an interview with ESPN.com’s Jake Michaels, Dellavedova talked about the team’s goals for 2016-17:
Dellavedova was traded to the Bucks at the end of last season, after helping the Cleveland Cavaliers secure their maiden NBA Finals championship over the Golden State Warriors, but the new challenge has him excited about the next phase of his career.
“Leaving Cleveland was tough because I had a great three years there and they gave me my first opportunity,” Dellavedova told ESPN.
“Winning the title is going to give you a bond with those guys for life, and the way the city embraced me made leaving even harder.
“But I’m excited about the opportunity in Milwaukee, especially to step into a bit more of a leadership role. Obviously at Cleveland we had Kyrie [Irving] being the point guard which puts a ceiling on what you can achieve.”
A significant motivator behind Dellavedova signing with the Bucks was the opportunity to work closely with head coach Jason Kidd, someone the Australian has long admired.
“To be able to learn from one of the greatest point guards of all time in Jason Kidd is going to be cool, and something I’m really excited about. I cannot wait.”
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The Bucks managed just 33 wins last season to finish bottom of the central division, but they have a host of young talent, including fellow Australian Thon Maker and 2014 No. 2 draft pick Jabari Parker, and Dellavedova insists the focus is firmly on returning to the playoffs.
“We definitely want to get into the playoffs, that’s our main target,” Dellavedova told ESPN.
“They made the playoffs two years ago and looked really good in the first round against Chicago. It was a bit of a down year for them last year with injuries, but the development of their young players is really exciting for the future.”
