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Dellavedova won’t change for NBA finals

Andrew Bogut says some of his Golden State Warriors teammates think fellow Australian Matthew Dellavedova tests the borderline of fair play.

Bogut’s Warriors take on Dellavedova’s Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the NBA Finals in Oakland, California, on Thursday (Friday 11am AEST).

Both Australians were besieged by reporters on Wednesday at a pre-finals media event inside the Warriors’ Oracle Arena and were asked about Dellavedova’s tough, hustling play.

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Bogut has repeatedly defended Dellavedova and dismissed the dirty tag, but said the guard has been a topic of conversation in the Warriors’ locker room.

“Yeah, there’s guys who think he’s toeing the line,” Bogut told AAP.

“There’s guys who think he isn’t. It just depends on who you ask.

“If you ask 10 guys you’ll get 10 different responses. Some guys think it’s on the borderline of cheating, some guys don’t.”

Dellavedova was cast as an NBA villain last month when in a semi-final playoff game he locked his legs around Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson.

Then in the Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks he crashed into Kyle Korver’s ankle while going for a loose ball and centre Al Horford accused the Australian of going for his knees.

Dellavedova is tired of the questioning and has no plans to tone down his play against the Warriors.

“I don’t think there’s a problem with how I play,” Dellavedova said.

He added the way he plays is how Australians are taught.

“In Australian sport in general, not just Australian Rules, you are always taught to win the ball,” Dellavedova said.

– AAP

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