Matthew Dellavedova literally ended up in the hospital after Game 3 of the 2015 NBA Finals because of the sheer physical toll of trying to guard Stephen Curry. It wasn’t just a tough night at the office, folks. This was a brutal, body-shattering assignment that pushed a player to his absolute breaking point, all because one guy on the Warriors roster moves like no one else.
Steph Curry’s Movement Was a Defender’s Worst Nightmare
Look, everyone knows Stephen Curry is one of those generational talents who just changes the game. His three-point shooting is insane, he’s clutch as heck when the pressure’s on, and his overall game? Forget about it, he’s a top player, plain and simple. But for any poor soul tasked with defending him, Curry is a flat-out nightmare matchup. What makes him so impossible to stop isn’t just the shooting, it’s that constant, relentless off-ball movement. You watch him play, and he’s never standing still. Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ head coach, has guys setting off-ball screens for Steph like it’s an art form, making it even harder to stay in front of him.
Dellavedova got his shot at this unenviable task in the 2015 NBA Finals, stepping up big time for the Cleveland Cavaliers after Kyrie Irving went down with an injury. It was one of the absolute toughest matchups Dellavedova faced in his career. We’re talking about chasing Curry all over the court, being physical as hell against a Warriors team that demanded it, and just trying to keep up with the guy who invented the heat check. It was a draining, soul-crushing job, but Delly was ready to contribute. He showed heart, no doubt about it.
The True Cost of Sticking With Number 30
That role Dellavedova had against the Warriors? It tested his physical limits in a way few assignments ever could. The man was feeling the full brunt of his efforts in the locker room, to the point where he actually landed in the hospital after Game 3 of those 2015 Finals. Can you even imagine? He described the scene: “They like cut my tights. They’re trying to rub ice. My quads are cramping. My hamstrings are cramping. So you can’t stretch one or the other. I’m just in a world of hurt. Then they like carry me and put me in the ice bath up to like here, and I’m just sitting there and slowly the cramps kind of go away. And then we only had 1 day between the games.” Cramps are no joke, especially when you’re playing at the highest level of professional basketball, with only 24 hours to recover before you have to go out and do it all again. It just shows you the insane dedication.
Fortunately for Dellavedova, he managed to keep playing and even stood out for the Cavaliers during that grueling series. That kind of grit and determination, pushing through that kind of physical pain just to stay on the court, is legendary.
And that dedication ultimately paid off, big time. Dellavedova can look back on the ring he won in 2016 with the Cavs, where he carved out his legacy. He became known across the league as *the* premier defender against Stephen Curry. It’s a testament to what a player will put their body through for the team, for the win, and for a chance at glory. That kind of sacrifice isn’t just about winning a game, it’s about cementing your place in history.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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