Joining him was another Cavs rookie guard, Russia's Sergey Karasev. It's a trip they make before every game. Down the underground corridors they walked, asking each Staples Centre security guard or attendant: "Where's the media room?" It's no wonder a large percentage of NBA reporters look more like sumo wrestlers than LeBron James. The food offered in NBA press rooms is pretty good and, for Dellavedova, it's free.

"The best is at the Brooklyn Nets," Dellavedova, chewing on a piece of steak with sides of rice and vegetables, told AAP. The two-year $US1.3 million contract Dellavedova signed with the Cavs is small change in the NBA, but if he keeps on improving and impressing, the next contract will be big enough that he won't have to duck into the media room for freebie meals. An all-time leader in scoring, assists, games played and three-point shots after four years at St Mary's College in California, Dellavedova was snubbed at last year's NBA draft. The Cavs signed him to their Summer League team with little expectations. Through hard work and great attitude, he has impressed Cavs head coach Mike Brown enough that he has started games and is often singled out by Brown as the only player on the underperforming team giving a damn.

Dellavedova is a blue collar player in a multi-millionaires' league and he points to his parents, Mark and Leanne, who set the example. "Dad is a bus driver and develops land and mum is a school teacher," he said. "They are both really hard workers. "They've spent countless hours driving me around the countryside as a junior when I played for Maryborough and Bendigo and flying me to tournaments. "I'm looking forward to hopefully taking care of them and paying them back for all of the hours and sacrifices they've had to make for me and my sisters."

January 7 was a big day for Dellavedova. His $US1.3 million contract only had $US100,000 guaranteed, meaning before January 7 if the Cavs cut him they only owed him the $US100,000. With January 7 passing, every cent for the rest of the year goes in his pocket, even if he were to be axed. There's no ego or demands from Dellavedova. The minus 30 degree snowstorms in Cleveland weren't a big deal, he says, despite his laptop freezing when he accidentally left it in the back of his car while shopping.

The Cavs have made plenty of headlines for their volatile locker room, with shooting guard Dion Waiters reportedly giving the Cavs' Australian-born superstar Kyrie Irving a broken nose and black eye after a players meeting turned into fisticuffs in November. Another incident could have flared when the Cavs last week traded for Chicago Bulls power forward Luol Deng, who plays with the number nine on his chest as a tribute to his mother who had nine children. Dellavedova wore the number nine for the Boomers at the last Olympics and took it when he joined the Cavs, but Deng approached his new Aussie team-mate and asked if he could be No.9. Dellavedova agreed and took eight, the number he had as a junior in Victoria. It has been suggested that Deng should have offered some cash to Dellavedova, but the rookie from Maryborough doesn't want anything.

"He said he'll take care of me, but it's all good," he said. Maybe Deng should buy Dellavedova a meal. Loading Delly wouldn't knock it back. AAP