Jeff Zillgitt

USA TODAY Sports

RIO DE JANEIRO – Long before Kyrie Irving called Matthew Dellavedova his Aussie brother, the two were ready to fight during Dellavedova’s rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013-14.

In practices, Dellavedova – an undrafted rookie scrapping to make the 15-man roster – went after Irving.

“I would pick him up full court every day, and he probably didn’t like it much at first,” Dellavedova said.

Irving – the No. 1 draft pick in 2011 – didn’t like Dellavedova’s irksome style.

Shoving and yelling were not unusual in those heated practices.

“It was very competitive, high intensity,” said Irving, who lived in Australia as a kid while his dad played pro basketball there.

But the result of their cutthroat practices had a positive effect. Irving got used to aggressive defense, and Dellavedova became a better defender.

“Defending him has helped my game a lot,” Dellavedova said.

Said Irving: “It’s been good for the both of us.”

And the Cavs became a better team, culminating in a championship in June. In free agency, Dellavedova signed with Milwaukee, and the former teammates have a chance to relive those spirited practices when surprising Australia plays the USA in a matchup of 2-0 teams on Wednesday.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Irving who in his teens contemplated playing for Australia’s national team.

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The longer Irving and Dellavedova were teammates the more they understood each other. During the 2015 playoffs when Irving struggled with a knee issue, Dellavedova stepped in and played solid basketball, helping the Cavaliers win in the postseason and proving there is a long-term place for him in the NBA.

Against the Bulls in 2015, Dellavedova had 19 points in a series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals. That performance prompted Irving to call Dellavedova his “Aussie brother.”

Three seasons ago, Irving probably had different words to describe Dellavedova. It’s clear the two are happy for each other’s success.

In the offseason, Dellavedova signed a four-year, $38 million contract with the Bucks. It was a price the Cavs didn’t want to match despite their appreciation of his contributions.

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“It’s great to see him accomplish the things he’s accomplished,” Irving said. “I’m nothing less than proud of him. I’m happy for him as well. I just want to see him do well.”

Dellavedova understands how difficult it was for Irving to watch the final five games of the 2015 Finals from home after sustaining a fractured kneecap in Game 1 against Golden State. Dellavedova enjoyed Irving’s success in the 2016 Finals.

“We developed a great bond and friendship,” Dellavedova said, “and it was a very cool to see how hard he’s worked and how much better he has gotten over the three years. To see him not play in the Finals and then see his performance in the Finals and how much that meant to him, I’m happy he had the Finals he did and hit the big shot.”

The friendship is on hold Wednesday.

“I'll say, ‘Good day,’ but we'll probably catch up more when everything is finished, I think,” Dellavedova said.

For a game, they are Australian-American enemies.

“My job is to win the game for the U.S., and I’m going to do everything possible to do that,” Irving said. “When we step on that floor, there’s no friendships.”

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