Matthew Dellavedova wants to see NBA game played in his native Australia

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Matthew Dellavedova is now an NBA champion, but he definitely hasn’t forgotten his roots.

On a victory tour of sorts with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in his native Australia, Dellavedova expressed his desire to see an Association game played in his homeland.

“All the boys are working on it, it’s just a matter of whose teams are going to get out and play,” the 25-year-old guard said, per Michael Randall of the Herald Sun. “All the boys talk to the NBA and any chance we get we always make sure we mention (a game in Australia) and keep it fresh in their minds.”

Dellavedova, who could be looking at a big role with the Milwaukee Bucks next season, even took things a step further and said that he would like for the game to be played at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, one of the largest sports stadiums in the world with a capacity of over 100,000 people.

“I think the MCG would be pretty cool,” he continued. “I obviously can’t run out there playing footy, but it would be pretty cool to run out there if they can get a basketball court on the surface. I hope it’d be a sellout because I think a lot of people love basketball, it’s so accessible these days.”

Though the NBA has yet to host a game in Australia, they have a long history of holding regular season contests overseas in Japan, Mexico, and England as a part of their “NBA Global Games” campaign. With a growing number of Australian players in the league (and therefore a growing Australian fan base), it’s a proposition the NBA should at least consider.

H/T theScore

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Andrew Bogut drops fantastic quote after Australia defeats France

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Underneath that tough Aussie exterior is quote the charismatic character.

After Australia picked up the 87-66 victory over France in the opening men’s basketball contest at the Rio Games on Saturday, center Andrew Bogut delivered this outstanding one-liner about the team’s defensive mentality heading into the competition, per John Schuhmann of NBA.com

Bogut: "Before this tournament, we said our identity"s going to be we need to be pricks defensively."

— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) August 6, 2016

The 31-year-old Bogut, who finished with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in the upset win, should definitely be pleased. Australia indeed managed to be “pricks” on the defensive end Saturday, playing with physicality and purpose while also showcasing patience and precision on the offensive side of the ball.

Bogut has had his own struggles early on in Rio, but, through it all, he’s managed to stay the same hard-nosed bruiser we’ve all come to know and love. Australia will need that kind of mindset if they are to survive a Group A bracket that also houses the United States.

H/T theScore

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Atletico Madrid crash to defeat in Australia

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Melbourne (AFP) – Spanish giants Atletico Madrid crashed to a 1-0 loss to A-League side Melbourne Victory on their Australian pre-season tour in Geelong on Sunday.

The European Champions League runners-up fell behind to a goal against the run of play shortly before half-time and were kept scoreless in the second half.

Defender Nick Ansell powerfully headed home off a free-kick from Tunisian Fahid Ben Khalfallah to rock Atletico in the 44th minute.

While manager Diego Simeone rung the changes in the second half his side could not find a way through the determined Victory defence.

It has been a heady 10 days for the twice A-League champions, who beat Italian champions Juventus on penalties in the International Champions Cup last week before claiming another high-profile scalp in Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid, who lost this year’s Champions League final on penalties to cross-city rivals Real Madrid, won their first match in Australia against England’s Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in Melbourne last Friday.

There were several heavy challenges in Sunday’s game with a solid tackle by Uruguayan defender Emiliano Velazquez forcing Victory’s Mitch Austin off the field with a knee injury in the first half.

French defender Lucas Hernandez also limped away after a sliding tackle on Victory midfielder Oliver Bozanic in the second half.

Simeone made a triple substitution midway through the second half in an effort to recharge his team.

But Melbourne counterpart Kevin Muscat took off most of his leading players among six substitutions at one stage, leaving Victory with a largely youth side against the Spaniards in the final stages.

Atletico will return home on Tuesday and will next play Galatasaray in Turkey as part of their pre-season on August 6.

The post Atletico Madrid crash to defeat in Australia appeared first on World Soccer Talk.

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