Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks game 4

David Blatt and Matthew Dellavedova developed a great relationship during Dellavedova's 2014-15 season, and the guard will always be thankful. "He allowed me to play with a lot of confidence and be myself out there," Dellavedova said Monday night. "I'm always going to be grateful for that."

(Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Before the Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, a confident Matthew Dellavedova addressed the crowd.

He couldn't have pulled that off a year and a half ago. He was too shy, plus he had more pressing things on his mind -- like trying to secure a role on a much-improved team that had just welcomed home LeBron James. He hadn't broken out of his shell yet.

Monday the team hosted its first "Australia Day Game." The contest was broadcast live on ESPN Australia in Dellavedova's native land. In his address, he thanked the organization for acknowledging this day, waved hello to his mom and dad, and thanked the fans for their sustained loyalty, before he joined his teammates in a huddle.

He was comfortable, secure and confident. His shell has been cracked wide open for a while now, and there's another person he wishes to thank who is responsible for molding the third-year guard into the person and player that he is today.

"Coach [David] Blatt was huge for me," Dellavedova told cleveland.com. "He gave me a great opportunity. He really believed in me and 100 percent supported me. It was really great for my career, so I'm always going to be appreciative for what he did for me."

Dellavedova didn't disappoint on this night. He went for 18 points, connected on four treys and distributed seven assists off the bench in 25 minutes. He was a plus-16 on the plus-minus ratio, the highest of any player in the game. This kind of performance isn't surprising anymore.

Blatt, who was fired on Friday, played a role in Dellavedova's growth and development by instilling self-confidence and practicing patience. Blatt helped transform a fringe NBA guard into a respected backcourt player.

Blatt loved and admired Dellavedova's competitive fire. The way he constantly kept his foot smashed on the pedal, the way he came in early for workouts and the way he was willing to help in any capacity was refreshing to his coach.

It wasn't in the initial cards for Dellavedova to be a full-time rotational player in Blatt's first year. Most NBA scouts and executives saw the toughness, the work ethic, but not much more beyond that. He went undrafted out of Saint Mary's in 2013 and later that summer signed a two-year deal with the team.

His rookie year, he played in 72 games, but it was a young team learning how to play the right way. Still unproven, he felt he could carve out an important role if given a realistic chance.

"Coach [Mike] Brown also gave me a great opportunity to firstly make the team and then get some minutes," he said. "I kind of built off that with Coach Blatt. It's really just a matter of having to be ready when your opportunity to comes.

"I think in the NBA if you're on a roster at some point in the season, your opportunity is going to come. It's just a matter of staying ready and making sure you make the most of it when it does come. Which is sometimes easier said than done because you don't know when or how or what situation is going to come."

In the NBA, there are stockpiles of young players. Some are destined to play overseas; some can potentially be an NBA mainstay; and a handful could end up being household names.

In order for low second-round picks and undrafted players to achieve success, a coach has to take a liking to them and then has to give them a chance.

Once the opportunity is granted, patience is required. Most young players don't receive that benefit, especially on a team with championship ambitions. Blatt saw something in Dellavedova that scouts and front office personnel didn't: a diamond in the rough.

He played his guard and gave him an expanded backup role. People criticized Blatt for over-utilizing Dellavedova, but he stayed the course and "Delly Mania" was soon created.

He's now one of the most popular players on this star-studded team. His game has improved dramatically from outside shooting to playmaking to his defensive presence.

All it took was for someone with power and influence to see something in him.

"He gave me a lot of opportunities and really believed in me," Dellavedva said. "He allowed me to play with a lot of confidence and be myself out there. I'm always going to be grateful for that. You have to be lucky enough to get that opportunity, but then you also have to make sure you've put in the work. I'm thankful."

Dellavedova said he was "definitely shocked" by the news of Blatt's dismissal. The two shared many memorable moments.

Blatt may have moved on, but the Cavaliers continue to reap the benefits of his nurturing and tutelage. Dellavedova is forever grateful.

"I would talk to him a lot during the games and off," he said. "Just in general, he's a great person. I'm sure our paths will cross again because the basketball world is a small world. He was good for me."